The Shep Memorial — Attraction in Fort Benton

During the summer of 1936 a sheepherder fell ill while tending his flock and was brought to the St. Clare Hospital in Fort Benton, Montana. A nondescript sheep dog had followed the herder into town and soon set up a vigil at the hospital's door. A kind hearted nun who ran the hospital kitchen fed the dog during those few days before the man died. The herder's family in the East requested that his body be sent back home. On that August day the undertaker put the body on the east-bound train for shipment to his waiting relatives. As the gurney was rolled out onto the platform, a big gaunt shepherd dog with watchful eyes appeared out of nowhere and watched as the casket was loaded into the baggage car. Attendants later recalled the dog whining as the door slammed shut and the engine slowly started to pull away from the station, then head down, turning and trotting down the tracks. On that day the dog, later named Shep, began a five-and-a-half year vigil that was only broken by his death.

Shep's Burial Site The Shep Memorial Shep's Memorial

Day after day, meeting four trains daily, Shep became a fixture on the platform. He eyed each passenger hopefully, and was often chased off as a mongrel but never completely discouraged. Neither the heat of summer days nor the bitter Montana winter days prevented Shep from meeting the next train. As Shep's fame spread, people came from everywhere to see him, to photograph him, and to try and make friends and possibly adopt him. All of the attention was somewhat unwelcome; after checking the train he often retired quickly to get away from those who came to see him. Most people missed the point that Shep was a one-man dog. The bond he had formed with the herder many years before was simply the most important thing is his life. Food, shelter and attention were now provided by the railroad employees. That was all he wanted, except his master's return. Shep was an older dog when he came to the station house in Fort Benton. Throughout his vigil the long nights under the platform and the cold winter had taken their toll. Stiff-legged and hard of hearing, Shep failed to hear old 235 as it rolled into the station at 10:17 that cold winter morning. He turned to look when the engine was almost upon him, moved to get out of the way, and slipped on the icy rails. Shep's long...

Nell'agosto del 1936 una bara contenente il corpo di un pastore di pecore fu caricata su a bagagliaio diretto a est per la sepoltura. Un cane, di razza collie, da quel giorno stava lì ad aspettare ogni treno anno dopo anno. Il direttore d'orchestra Ed Shields nel 1939 venne a sapere della storia del cane, collegando Shep con il corpo spedito quel giorno di agosto. Shep divenne famoso. In molti si offrirono di adottarlo ma furono rifiutate. Shep morì il 12 gennaio 1942, scivolando sui binari prima di un treno in arrivo. La sua scomparsa ha colpito tutti quelli che conoscevano la sua storia. Fu seppellito in cima alla scogliera sopra il deposito. Al suo funerale hanno partecipato centinaia di persone. Gli fu riconosciuto un tributo di totale fedeltà al...

Explored the Birthplace of Montana...Fort Benton! A beautiful small friendly town. Visited Fort Benton Bridge, Shep Memorial, Lewis and Clark Memorial, and trails along the river. Grabbed lunch to go from the Wake Cup Coffee House and ate...