"Old Shep", also known as the "Hermit of Leydecker Road" is buried in this cemetery. Old Shep was originally from Missouri and lived along the banks of Cazenovia Creek, West Seneca, NY, in a small cave. Eventually he built a small shack on the Kloiber Farm and became well known for his fondness of people and animals. Old Shep was killed when his shack caught on fire, and having no next-of-kin, a pauper's grave awaited him. However, through the generosity of the Lang Family, Old Shep was given a deserving funeral and is buried in Section L of St. Matthew's Cemetery∼-------------------- Enlisted in the army at age 15, under Gerneral Albert Sidney Johnston, to fight the Mormons in what was then Utah Territory. Fought at Wilson's Creek (Springfield, MO) and at Pea Ridge, AR. Rode with Quantrill, and went with him to KY, where he was surrendered by Capt. Henry Porter to Capt. Young, US Army, at Samuel's Depot, Nelson County, KY, on 26 July 1865. Participated in the Russellville, KY, bank robbery, 20 Mar 1868. Caught and did two years in prison. Attempted to help law officers catch Jesse James after the Glendale, MO, robbery. Was shot at Short Creek (Galena), Kansas by Jim Cummins because of it. Fell out with Jesse when Jesse, along with James Anderson for killing his nephew, Ike Flannery over Ike's inheritance. Tracked James Anderson to Austin, Texas, where he slit his throat on the lawn of the State capitol building. With the support of the population, he escaped back to MO. In 1865, married Martha Sanders Maddox, the famous Confederate spy. Martha first married Richard Maddox. She disguised herself as a man, called herself "Matt Sanders", and rode with her husband. Richard Maddox was killed shortly after the war ended. Martha married George Shepherd and tried to help him escape from prison. Gave up on Shepherd, and married McMakin, a wealthy neighbor of her father. When Shepherd got out of prison, she chose to stay with McMakin. Shpeherd charged her with bigamy, but she gained a pardon from the governor, and the charges were dropped.
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One of the most colorful characters in West Seneca history was William Sheppard, known as "Old Shep". Born in 1830 in the southern state of Missouri, William claimed to have ridden with Jesse James. His wanderings eventually brought him to West Seneca when he was about 80 years old. He made his home in shacks and tents along Cazenovia Creek, eventually settling into crude lodgings next to the old Leydecker Road covered bridge. Although a friendly man, Old Shep was far from outspoken and would only make conversation with those he knew well. People he did speak with enjoyed some fascinating tales. There was talk of the Civil War, the Wild West and Jesse James. Old Shep died March 31, 1933 after a winter of illness. Newspapers of the time estimated "The Hermit of Cazenovia Valley" to be anywhere from 104 to 106 years of age at the time of his death.
St. Matthew's Church cemetery.
Old Shep had many run-ins with West Seneca residents. In an encounter that occurred in 1913, Henry P. Heck was hunting on family land off Leydecker Road. Henry apparently strayed close to Old Shep's shack and Shep came out and demanded that Mr. Heck leave immediately. When Henry did not leave fast enough, Old Shep grabbed an ax and threw it at Henry. Fortunately Old Shep missed and the ax lodged in a tree. Henry retrieved the ax and quickly left the area. Henry P. Heck's grandchildren still have that ax wielded by Old Shep.
Old Shep was killed when his shack caught on fire, and having no next-of-kin, a pauper's grave awaited him. However, through the generosity of the Lang Family, Old Shep was given a deserving funeral and is buried in Section L of St. Matthew's Cemetery.
___________________________________________________
One of the most colorful characters in West Seneca history was William Sheppard, known as "Old Shep". Born in 1830 in the southern state of Missouri, William claimed to have ridden with Jesse James. His wanderings eventually brought him to West Seneca when he was about 80 years old. He made his home in shacks and tents along Cazenovia Creek, eventually settling into crude lodgings next to the old Leydecker Road covered bridge. Although a friendly man, Old Shep was far from outspoken and would only make conversation with those he knew well. People he did speak with enjoyed some fascinating tales. There was talk of the Civil War, the Wild West and Jesse James. Old Shep died March 31, 1933 after a winter of illness. Newspapers of the time estimated "The Hermit of Cazenovia Valley" to be anywhere from 104 to 106 years of age at the time of his death.
St. Matthew's Church cemetery.
Old Shep had many run-ins with West Seneca residents. In an encounter that occurred in 1913, Henry P. Heck was hunting on family land off Leydecker Road. Henry apparently strayed close to Old Shep's shack and Shep came out and demanded that Mr. Heck leave immediately. When Henry did not leave fast enough, Old Shep grabbed an ax and threw it at Henry. Fortunately Old Shep missed and the ax lodged in a tree. Henry retrieved the ax and quickly left the area. Henry P. Heck's grandchildren still have that ax wielded by Old Shep.
Old Shep was killed when his shack caught on fire, and having no next-of-kin, a pauper's grave awaited him. However, through the generosity of the Lang Family, Old Shep was given a deserving funeral and is buried in Section L of St. Matthew's Cemetery.
"Old Shep", also known as the "Hermit of Leydecker Road" is buried in this cemetery. Old Shep was originally from Missouri and lived along the banks of Cazenovia Creek, West Seneca, NY, in a small cave. Eventually he built a small shack on the Kloiber Farm and became well known for his fondness of people and animals. Old Shep was killed when his shack caught on fire, and having no next-of-kin, a pauper's grave awaited him. However, through the generosity of the Lang Family, Old Shep was given a deserving funeral and is buried in Section L of St. Matthew's Cemetery∼-------------------- Enlisted in the army at age 15, under Gerneral Albert Sidney Johnston, to fight the Mormons in what was then Utah Territory. Fought at Wilson's Creek (Springfield, MO) and at Pea Ridge, AR. Rode with Quantrill, and went with him to KY, where he was surrendered by Capt. Henry Porter to Capt. Young, US Army, at Samuel's Depot, Nelson County, KY, on 26 July 1865. Participated in the Russellville, KY, bank robbery, 20 Mar 1868. Caught and did two years in prison. Attempted to help law officers catch Jesse James after the Glendale, MO, robbery. Was shot at Short Creek (Galena), Kansas by Jim Cummins because of it. Fell out with Jesse when Jesse, along with James Anderson for killing his nephew, Ike Flannery over Ike's inheritance. Tracked James Anderson to Austin, Texas, where he slit his throat on the lawn of the State capitol building. With the support of the population, he escaped back to MO. In 1865, married Martha Sanders Maddox, the famous Confederate spy. Martha first married Richard Maddox. She disguised herself as a man, called herself "Matt Sanders", and rode with her husband. Richard Maddox was killed shortly after the war ended. Martha married George Shepherd and tried to help him escape from prison. Gave up on Shepherd, and married McMakin, a wealthy neighbor of her father. When Shepherd got out of prison, she chose to stay with McMakin. Shpeherd charged her with bigamy, but she gained a pardon from the governor, and the charges were dropped.
___________________________________________________
One of the most colorful characters in West Seneca history was William Sheppard, known as "Old Shep". Born in 1830 in the southern state of Missouri, William claimed to have ridden with Jesse James. His wanderings eventually brought him to West Seneca when he was about 80 years old. He made his home in shacks and tents along Cazenovia Creek, eventually settling into crude lodgings next to the old Leydecker Road covered bridge. Although a friendly man, Old Shep was far from outspoken and would only make conversation with those he knew well. People he did speak with enjoyed some fascinating tales. There was talk of the Civil War, the Wild West and Jesse James. Old Shep died March 31, 1933 after a winter of illness. Newspapers of the time estimated "The Hermit of Cazenovia Valley" to be anywhere from 104 to 106 years of age at the time of his death.
St. Matthew's Church cemetery.
Old Shep had many run-ins with West Seneca residents. In an encounter that occurred in 1913, Henry P. Heck was hunting on family land off Leydecker Road. Henry apparently strayed close to Old Shep's shack and Shep came out and demanded that Mr. Heck leave immediately. When Henry did not leave fast enough, Old Shep grabbed an ax and threw it at Henry. Fortunately Old Shep missed and the ax lodged in a tree. Henry retrieved the ax and quickly left the area. Henry P. Heck's grandchildren still have that ax wielded by Old Shep.
Old Shep was killed when his shack caught on fire, and having no next-of-kin, a pauper's grave awaited him. However, through the generosity of the Lang Family, Old Shep was given a deserving funeral and is buried in Section L of St. Matthew's Cemetery.
___________________________________________________
One of the most colorful characters in West Seneca history was William Sheppard, known as "Old Shep". Born in 1830 in the southern state of Missouri, William claimed to have ridden with Jesse James. His wanderings eventually brought him to West Seneca when he was about 80 years old. He made his home in shacks and tents along Cazenovia Creek, eventually settling into crude lodgings next to the old Leydecker Road covered bridge. Although a friendly man, Old Shep was far from outspoken and would only make conversation with those he knew well. People he did speak with enjoyed some fascinating tales. There was talk of the Civil War, the Wild West and Jesse James. Old Shep died March 31, 1933 after a winter of illness. Newspapers of the time estimated "The Hermit of Cazenovia Valley" to be anywhere from 104 to 106 years of age at the time of his death.
St. Matthew's Church cemetery.
Old Shep had many run-ins with West Seneca residents. In an encounter that occurred in 1913, Henry P. Heck was hunting on family land off Leydecker Road. Henry apparently strayed close to Old Shep's shack and Shep came out and demanded that Mr. Heck leave immediately. When Henry did not leave fast enough, Old Shep grabbed an ax and threw it at Henry. Fortunately Old Shep missed and the ax lodged in a tree. Henry retrieved the ax and quickly left the area. Henry P. Heck's grandchildren still have that ax wielded by Old Shep.
Old Shep was killed when his shack caught on fire, and having no next-of-kin, a pauper's grave awaited him. However, through the generosity of the Lang Family, Old Shep was given a deserving funeral and is buried in Section L of St. Matthew's Cemetery.
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