It was in 1952 that Meher Baba first came to his

1
It was in 1952 that Meher Baba first came to his
Home in the West, to visit the place that his
devotees had lovingly built for him in Myrtle
Beach and called the Meher Spiritual Center.
This was a joyous time an event that was many
years in preparation.
Meher Baba is pictured here along with with Adele
Wolkin, Filis Frederick, his sister Mani, Rita
(Sparkie) Lukes, Ivy O. Duce, Mehera, Delia
DeLeon and Meheru.
2
After several weeks visiting with Baba lovers old
and new, it was time for them to go. On May 21,
1952, Meher Baba and the women mandali left in
two cars for California to visit devotees waiting
for him there. (The men mandali had been sent on
ahead, the day before.) Perhaps no-one realized
the significance of it then, but the route Baba
chose very closely followed the Trail of Tears.
Trail of Tears Map source U.S. National Park
Service
3
Kitty Davy writes in Love Alone
Prevails Elizabeth drove the blue Nash, Baba
seated beside her Mehera, Mani and Meheru
behind. On the night of May 23 we stayed at
Pond Crest Motor Court in the Ozarks
Arkansas. We were up early as usual. After
breakfast the group stood waiting in front of
the motel for Babas signal to step into the
cars. This morning Baba delayed starting,
however. He came out of his room and stood
quite still for some minutes on the doorstep,
withdrawn, sad and unusually still. No last
minute questions, no haste to be off. Ten
minutes elapsed before Baba walked to the car,
followed by the eastern women. After a short
distance, Babas car stopped suddenly and Baba
got out and paced up and down the right-hand side
of the road. We too got out and stood by the
car. Not a word was uttered. (pp. 397-398.)
4
The automobile collision occurred later that day
on this stretch of road 8.8 miles away from
Prague, Oklahoma.
This photograph was taken from the collision
site, facing east.
5
With lightning speed we jumped out of the car
and rushed forward. The anguish of that moment
is unforgettable. Babas face with blood pouring
from his head, the extraordinary expression on
Babas face, his eyes just staring straight ahead
as if into unfathomable distances. He made no
sound or sign...just lay there motionless.
Elizabeth was in the car doubled over the wheel.
Her first question had been, Is he
alive? --Kitty Davy, Love Alone Prevails, p.
398.
6
The injured are rushed to the Prague Clinic
When the ambulance came, they went to Baba with a
stretcher, but he motioned toward Mehera, asking
that she be helped before him. After arrival
at the hospital, again he refused assistance
until Mehera had received attention. Mehera was
unconscious at the time, having received a very
serious head injury.
This image shows the emergency room entrance
looking about the same as it did in the early
1950s. Kitty recalled, The whole Prague Clinic
was turned upside down to make the party
comfortable.
7
Dr. Ned Burleson later wrote When I finally got
around to attending to Baba, I was surprised to
see an individual who was injured as badly as he
was still smiling. I was also astounded to find
that he did not speak a word, or make any sound
denoting discomfort. The most attractive
quality of his personality that first day was the
way he looked at me with those big brown eyes as
if he were reading my mind. Later, I determined
that the most astounding quality was that
something which made it possible for him to
receive such profound devotion and loyalty from
so many fine and educated people. That quality
cannot be forced. Such devotion can only be
possible because he deserved it or earned it.
(p. 400, Love Alone Prevails)
Dr. Burleson standing in front of the Emergency
Room entrance in 1959.
8
During the twelve days that Baba, Mehera, Meheru
and Elizabeth were cared for in Prague, the
townspeople expressed such loving helpfulness
that all the party were deeply touched. Babas
connection with the Burleson family continued
through the years primarily by way of
correspondence through his sister, Mani. Baba
did not forget the Burlesons. Once, much to the
delight of Mrs. Burleson and the children, he
sent the family a leopard skin from India.
Mani and Mehera