Showing Monte the wagon
Friends brought the sheep wagon undercarriage over to the Sublette Center in early October so he could see the latest progress. Behind Monte is his wife Donna. Gary Stephenson stands to the right.
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Newly painted running gear
Gary Stephenson stands by the newly painted running gear on the sheep wagon. Gary has painstakingly restored the wheels and running gear. The bright orange paint matches the color the wagon was originally painted. Photo taken early October, 2021.
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August 2021 progress
Gary Stephenson stands with the sheep wagon undercarriage as it looked in August 2021, before painting.
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Monte’s Sheep Wagon
by Clint Gilchrist and Dawn Ballou
October 7, 2021
In 2015, an old Mrak family sheep wagon was donated to the Sublette County Historical Society by the Dewitt Morris and Vern Mrak families. Monte Skinner took on the challenge of restoring the well-weathered wagon, completely rebuilding from the ground up salvaging as many of the old parts as possible.
In the last few years, Gary Stephenson has brought a whole lot of talent, energy and specialized tools to the project leading the effort to complete the project. Many other volunteers have helped along the way including Ole Skinner, Rex Poulson, Sam Drucker, Bob Harrower, Jay Fear, Clint Gilchrist, Dave Racich, Marilyn Stephenson, Jeff Goltz, and Jack Doyle.
What started as project to make a usable wagon for parades and demonstrations at the Museum of the Mountain Man has taken on a life of its own. With attention to detail and historical accuracy at every step, the wagon has become a work of art and skill not originally anticipated. The craftsmanship and design of the original builders over 100 years ago is amazing. Nothing was causally slapped together. Just like a truck today, wagons of the time were built to last and every piece of metal and wood was designed with a specific purpose. This restoration has honored that original design.
It has taken hundreds, if not thousands of hours, all inspired by Monte's vision. The running gear restoration, including building the wheels from scratch, was completed this summer. The box was completed last year.
In early October, the helpers and supporters of the sheep wagon rebuild project took the restored running gear over to the Sublette Center in Pinedale so Monte could see the latest project. Monte is in the Sublette Center due to a broken hip, and restrictions due to COVID-19 have meant he hasn't been able to get out to see any of the recent progress on the sheep wagon. Gary Stephenson, who has taken on the bulk of the recent restoration, wanted Monte to see the painting of the undercarriage before he has to return to his home in New York for the winter. He will work on parts over the winter and return next summer to do more work on the sheep wagon.
It will take one more summer to finish some details on both the running gear and the box, and bring them together for an eye-catching local wagon that has not been seen in decades, but will be a lasting legacy at the Museum to the original sheep herders and our own legend, Monte Skinner.
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