Frank (Shorty) Collins (Died 1944)

COLLINS, SHEP THE DOG

Posted By: John Davis (email)
Date: 2/22/2020 at 19:44:20

Obit posted in Ottumwa Courier May 3, 1944
Former Circus Man And Spanish War Veteran Dies At Noon Today
Frank (Shorty) Collins, 68, died about noon today when he was either hit by a truck of struck his head on a rock while working on a dump just east of the viaduct at the rear of the Ottumwa coliseum. County Coroner Gordon Traul is investigating the case to determine the cause of death. Collins has lived alone in a small house near the dump for years and has co-operated with the Ottumwa riverfront commission in development of a parking lot near the coliseum. He was a veteran of the Spanish American war and a former circus man. Authorities are continuing their efforts to locate any relatives of the victim, but so far have had no success. Collins had lived alone in a hut near the river for more than 25 years. Funeral services will be held at St. Patrick’s church when the Rev. T. C. Donohoe will celebrate a requiem mass. Burial will be in Calvary cemetery.
Shorty Collins who has lived alone in a shack along the south bank of the river here for 27 years, may have had no relative to mourn his accidental death last Wednesday, but he had one friend who feels his passing very deeply. That friend is “Shep” the dog who had been Collins closest companion for more than 10 years. Collins died from injuries sustained wile working on a city dump near his home. Having seen his master carried away in a Hearse, Shep returned to the house and has not left the place since. Until about noon today, when he ate a few bites of ground meat, he refused all food and drink. Despite efforts of persons wishing to take the animal to a new home he insists on staying. Shep had been more than a companion to Collins. The elderly man, a former circus employee whose left ear was torn off by a lion, had defective hearing. For years, whenever anyone approached their shack, Shep would make certain that his master knew they were coming and would never leave the elderly man a moment when strangers were around. It is said that Collins and Shep could converse at will.