Maybe some of you more in the local news loop have heard this fairly recent news, but I just heard it on Friday.
A story which has captivated me since I read a book about it in high school, is that of Everett Ruess. Everett was a very unique person who came to southern Utah in the mid-30's. Born into priviledge in Los Angeles, he had taken to spending most of his time out of doors in the Sierras. He was a trained artsist, and a genuine recluse. He came to Utah with 2 burros. Old timers in Escalante remember him coming to Mormon dances and befreinding some of the local youth. He would disappear into the desert for months and then reappear unxpectedly in Boulder, Escalante, or other southern Utah towns.
His story took a mysterious turn when shortly after sharing a campsite with 2 sheepherders in Davis Gulch (along the hole-in-the-rock road), he dissapeared. His burros were found later... but HE vanished. Locals tried for months to determine his wherabouts, and nothing was concluded. Folklore began to swell about what happened to this unique young man. Did he join an indian tribe?, Was he abducted?, Was his death staged to attain the ultimate freedom and detachment? Did he simply slip and fall?
If you know me, you know I am not a reader. It is rare that I can keep excited about a book enough to get through it. The book "Vagabond for Beauty" is one which I have read many times, and always fascinates me. It is a telling of his story.
Recently an old Ute woman, afflicted with increasingly terminal illness, shared a secret with her son. It is a secret that her father told her when he was near death as well. Medicine men had told him that his ailments were the result of his secret. The secret was that this Ute man (then a very young man), had witnessed the murder of a "young anglo dude" with two burros. Supposedly the young man, watched the two other indians rob and kill this man, then he buried him in a remote area nearby, with some of his stuff. The grandson of this man, spent his free time for the next few months searching his land (the same area), for the grave. HE FOUND IT! The skull, and a few other items.
Most recently, DNA testing, and skeletal analysis concluded that it is the remains of Everett Ruess. Part of the mystery is solved. It is incredible to see answers to this decades old mystery. Obviously questions remain. Everett kept a detailed journal, which has not been found. Also the burial spot was nearly 90 miles from Davis Gulch. How did Everett end up so far away? Maybe answers with be forthcoming.
Pretty great story huh? National Geographic Adventure did an article on this last month check out the link:
http://adventure.nationalgeographic.com/2009/04/everett-ruess/david-roberts-text
4 comments:
Wow, I'm so glad you wrote that post. I first heard about Everett in the book Into the Wild, and then more in the book Mormon Country. It's a fascinating story and I hadn't heard that latest bit. I'll have to go read the National Geographic story now!
Katie... that is so funny, I first heard of him form the book In To The Wild. Amazing how it turned out! I saw something about it on the news the other night, possibly weeks ago... can't remember but was drawn away by children, so thanks for posting! Loves Annie!
very interesting Jake. I love that kind of stuff. I did go to the National Geographic site and read about it. I bet there are hundreds of stories like this one that we will never know about. Sad.
Mom
Jake thanks for sharing this awsome story. This could turn out to be a great campfire story to tell to the scouts. But since the website doesn't have the full story I am now compelled to go and buy the magazine to read the full story, and now I have to go buy the book, because I'm hooked on this story now.
L.Stott
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