At exactly 3:13 pm on Thursday, August 13, 1896, Butch Cassidy and his infamous gang of outlaws robbed the Bank of Montpelier in downtown Montpelier. Thus began the epic tale of one of Montpelier’s most famous episodes. Various accounts have retold this famous, daring event again and again for over 125 years.
But Montpelier’s encounter with Butch doesn’t end there. Now, many years later, Butch will return to the scene of his famous heist- well, not exactly Butch, but his likeness- will permanently reside in Heritage Park: the bandit, his loot and a park bench, all cast in bronze.
Nationally-acclaimed sculptor and Montpelier native Gary Lee Price has now completed his bronzed sculpture of the famous outlaw, Butch Cassidy, sprawling on a bench: his left hand clutching a bag filled with loot, and a Morgan silver dollar proudly on display between his right thumb and index finger. It was recently unveiled by Price and his spouse, Leesa, at his Montpelier High School’s 50th class reunion.
The sculpture will be a focal point in Montpelier’s Heritage Park, now under development across the street from city hall on Washington Street’s south side. Formerly known as Lions Club Park, Heritage Park is just three doors east of the site of the robbery (now Butch Cassidy Museum.)
The park will highlight many of the forces that shaped Montpelier and its early history.
Besides the Butch Cassidy bench, six large 8’ x 12’ murals will depict the Oregon Trail; the area’s pioneer ancestry; Butch Cassidy; Bear Lake; Union Pacific railroad; and some of the local wildlife found in the valley. Signage will describe why each topic is important to Montpelier’s history and also to its future. In addition, the murals and Butch Cassidy bench will offer unique photo opportunities for tourists and community members alike.
The original work’s numbered edition, “number one,” dedicated to the foundation, will be placed in the new Heritage Park once fundraising is complete. The original will temporarily reside at Price’s bench row exhibit at the Mountain Trails Gallery in Jackson, Wyoming.
Since a full bronzed bench costs as much as $200,000 to design, sculpt in clay and then cast in bronze, additional Butch benches will be produced by the artist in a numbered series, then sold as limited edition numbered castings. The original sculpture was estimated to cost $50,000, but Price was so intrigued about sculpting such an iconic figure in Old West Folklore, he donated $25,000 towards its cost. So, the foundation’s cost was reduced to $25,000. Unfortunately, delays caused by the pandemic postponed the project’s completion until recently.
The Montpelier Community Foundation has begun fundraising efforts, with the foundation already having raised a significant amount towards its cost. In a coordinated effort, the foundation also unveiled Butch Cassidy busts that will be sold to raise additional funds to further pay for the bench. Busts of white or painted marble are now on sale at Montpelier’s Butch Cassidy Museum, or by donation through the Montpelier Community Foundation. Their minimum donation price of $75 is expected to increase at the end of September.
In addition to the busts, engraved stone pavers that will permanently be displayed in the park, are also available. Donations by check can be sent to the Montpelier Community Foundation, 830 Washington St., Montpelier, ID 83254 or by using a donation button on the foundation’s Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/MontpelierCommunityFoundation. For more information, call Steve Allred (208) 251-2021.
Sources: Press release from Montpelier Community Foundation, dated 8/19/23; News Examiner article, Montpelier Forges Ahead on Park Project, 11/3/21; www.Facebook.com/MontpelierCommunityFoundation
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