IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE...
October 7, 2011
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| "My heart smiles...colored leaves blaze" | |
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It all started with Gladys and John McMurdey. Born in Buganda (called Uganda today) on the African continent during colonial times, they emigrated to the western part of the country that was to become the United States of America. It was just a small union at the time, but even then, there were those who dreamed of settling in the New World.
They were an odd couple in many ways. They kept to themselves and built their homestead far from other settlers. A high stone wall surrounded their home, keeping them IN and any would-be visitors OUT. They worked hard at being very self sufficient.
You may wonder how they could afford to do all they did...THAT story centers around the unusual "family" that came with them to their new home. Uganda is the home of what used to be a huge population of mountain gorillas...gentle giants all. It is said that one of the young gorilla males, named Hooter, became habituated during his younger years...(was comfortable being with people.) One of the people with whom Hooter became "friends" was an uncle to Gladys. Before he died, Uncle Horace put a large amount of money in one jar and an explanatory note in another, then dropped Hooter, his younger brother, One...and the jars at Gladys and John's home (knowing of their hopes and dreams to emigrate to the New World. In the note, Uncle Horace made his intentions clear...the money was theirs to do with as they pleased, but whatever they did and wherever they went, they were charged to include Hooter and One in their plans. So, off they all went, traveling for months, to what eventually became the USA. Can you imagine such an unlikely group of individuals?
John was a builder in Uganda, so with some local help, the McMurdey's new homestead was built rather quickly. The people who settled near Gladys and John were curious to know about their new neighbors who chose to live in isolation. But the walls protected their privacy, keeping their lives as private as they wished.
Their home was an odd one...
Eclectic, to say the least. Not so odd from the outside...actually rather modern for its time... except for the small graveyard they created in front of their house. (John and Gladys didn't leave ALL their loved ones behind...they brought some of them to their new homestead.) Too, some of their rooms were somewhat suspect...for example, there was one that was left mostly empty with the exception of the cauldron that was mysteriously bubbling and steaming all the time. That's where they kept the jars that came with Hooter and One...and the skull of their dear Uncle Horace.
They also had one room where they decorated the walls with peeling paper and paint as well as some family portraits... not a very inviting gallery to view...although the portraits seemed quite normal!
Unfortunately, not much is known about the lives of Gladys and John McMurdey in the New World. Did they have any children? What happened to Hooter and One? How did this most unusual "family" group exist in their self-prescribed isolation? Did they have a good life? Are their bodies STILL on the grounds of what was their homestead? I can't answer any of these questions...but, if YOU know anything further about these colonial Africans, originally from Uganda, please do email me or let me know in your comment. I'd love to hear more......
Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see you next time!
Hugs,
abbyj
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