Pathetic Story of a Faithful Dog – 1901
Story of Faithful Dog – 1901
Faithful Unto Death
Pathetic Story of a Dog Who Guarded Dead Master.
Is Now in Missoula Where He Was Brought by Widow of Man Who Was Frozen to Death.
Yesterday morning there alighted from the east-bound train a lady and a dog that will undoubtedly go through life together until one shall have passed away. There is nothing remarkable about either one that would attract special attention; the lady being about 35, of pleasing appearance, dressed in mourning; the dog a sleek, well fed, liver and white pointer ten months old; but the weeds and the dog are closely associated. The story is a sad one, yet illustrates the devotion of brute to man and the strong effection that grows up between them under encouraging conditions, which lasts even unto death.
In November the lady was the wife of H. R. Lowry, resident of Republic, Wash., who went to the gold camp of Chesaw to settle the title to some valuable placer claims in which he was interested. Upon his return over the Sheridan trail, that has this winter already claimed three victims, he was overtaken by a blizzard that obliterated all signs of a trail and lost him twenty-five miles from home on the wind-swept mountain side. Subsequent investigation disclosed that the belated traveler had ridden down his horse in the heavy windfall; then hanging the saddle on a tree, had turned the horse loose and endeavored to make his way through.
Twelve days later a party of hunters ten miles from Republic were attracted by the barking of a dog, which was found with his fore feet on the stark body of his master, the beaten snow about and the clean-licked hands and face telling of the faithful guardianship and vain efforts at resuscitation. Though gaunt and suffering from hunger, it was not until he was convinced that no harm was meant that the faithful dog would permit the strangers to approach. It is not strange that Mrs. Lowery refused $500 for her friend, but brought him to make their house with her father, James Hurd, of East Front street.
The above article appeared in The Missoulian on January 8, 1901.
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