Seaman meets Newfoundlands

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Minot Daily News

WASHBURN – He built it and they came. On two feet and four!
Members of the Newfoundland Club of America brought more than 20 Newfoundland dogs to Sunday’s dedication of a six-foot, 1,400 pound statue of Seaman, the most famous Newfoundland to ever set four huge paws on American soil. Seaman’s place in history was assured when Captain Meriwether Lewis purchased the reliable and loveable dog while in Pittsburgh outfitting for the famous Lewis & Clark Expedition.

On Sunday, Washburn sculptor Tom Neary’s likeness of the gentle giant was dedicated at Seaman Overlook on the banks of the Missouri River. While a brisk wind could be heard in the cottonwoods towering high overhead and the air filled with drifting cottonwood seeds, the gathering of Newfoundland dogs helped capture a moment in history.

Neary called it a “hard day” because the dedication seemed to put an end to the project that he became so devoted to. For the first time, Neary witnessed the importance of his work. He seemed a bit overwhelmed by the response of the Newfoundland dog owners, many of whom traveled from other states just to attend Sunday’s dedication and see Neary’s work firsthand.

“All this never entered into it, but now I get reminded of it all the time,” said Neary when asked about his permanent contribution to Seaman Overlook. “The comments from these people with the dogs that are happy with the work ... . It means so much to hear that. It means an awful lot.”

Thousands of photographs were taken on Sunday as visitors and Newfoundland owners scrambled for smile time in front of the Seaman statue. Among those in the crowd was Mary L. Price of Madison, Wisc., treasurer and rescue chairman for the Newfoundland Club of America.

“This is the only stand-alone statue of Seaman in the country,” said Price proudly, “and we felt it was important to represent the Newfoundland Club of America and show our support.”

Mary W. Price of Minneapolis – no relation to Mary L. Price – brought her dog “Sally” to the dedication and was very impressed with the likeness of Seaman.

“This is a very special recognition for our breed to have this wonderful sculpture dedicated,” said Mary W. Price while pausing for photographs.

On a large grassy area near the gates to the nearby replica of Fort Mandan, the Newfoundland owners gathered with their dogs and demonstrated the capabilities of the likeable breed. Children laughed when getting a face-licking from a playful Newfoundland. Adults marveled at the demonstrations of water rescues, retrieves and power of the legendary ancestors of the dog of choice for Meriwether Lewis.

“Newfoundlands really enjoy work,” said Sandee Lovett of Grand Rapids, Mich. “They are protective but not aggressive. I’m sure Lewis selected his dog for much the same reasons people do today.”

Lovett is the first vice-president of the Newfoundland Club Of America. She arrived in Washburn on Thursday so that she could spend more time on the historic ground likely sniffed out by Seaman over 200 years ago.

“Many times Seaman saved expedition members from wild animal attacks,” claimed Lovett. “He was also somewhat of an ambassador. The Native Americans were fascinated with the dog. It helped pave the way a little bit.”

David Borlaug, president of the Lewis & Clark Fort Mandan Foundation, was visibly pleased with Sunday’s enthusiastic turnout.

“People are just pumped up,” said an ecstatic Borlaug. “There’s just something about a dog that brings out the best in all of us. Having 20 or more here today, it just turned into a real special day.”

The dedication at Seaman Overlook was part of Washburn’s Lewis & Clark Days celebration. It was preceded by an outdoor church service at Fort Mandan and a pancake and sausage breakfast prepared by Washburn’s Volunteer Fire Department.