Life on a Tidal River

Text by the 7th Grade Maine Studies Students of the William S. Cohen School. Images are from the Bangor Historical Society.

Who was Shep Hurd?

Shep Hurd was born in Liberty, Maine. He had two brothers, a sister, and was the third of four children. His family was very poor and his father died when he was young. Shep became a merchant early on in life because all of the children in his family needed jobs to make ends meet. Shep’s mother, Maude, moved the family to many places such as Pittsfield and Searsport, both located in Maine.

Shep was very energetic, smart, and humorous. His hobbies included poker, reading, singing, playing tennis, and bridge. He was also physically fit and was a very hard worker. Shep married a woman named Margarite Littlefield. They were together when they had their first daughter, but divorced when she was five years old. About eight years later, the couple got back together when their daughter was thirteen. Shep moved his family briefly to Chicago, but came back to Orono due to his wife’s homesickness.

Shep’s family now permanently lived in Orono, Maine. He purchased his own sporting goods store called Dakins Sporting Goods Co. in Bangor, which became very successful. One day the Brady Gang came into his store and tried to purchase an illegal gun. Shep knew that something was wrong and tried telling the Bangor Police Dept, but they were reluctant to take action. Frustrated by their response, Shep contacted the Maine State Police and it was the State Police who called in the FBI.

Enter the Brady Gang

On the fateful day of October 12th, 1937, the Brady gang car pulled up to the Dakin Sporting Goods Company store. James Dalhover exited the car and sauntered in. He was obviously on a mission, but he had no clue of the danger that lay ahead. Dakin Sporting Goods sold guns as well as sporting goods; Dalhover was looking for a Thompson sub-machine gun and a couple of pistols with no idea that G-men were behind the counter awaiting his arrival. More G-men were on the other side of the street, in cars, and on the sidewalks in case a dispute broke out.

Dalhover asked if the machine gun had come in yet. That is when the G-men jumped out from behind the counter and captured Dalhover. That was a safe capture. But at the same time, Shaffer, who had been waiting on the sidewalk just outside Dakins, pulled out two pistols and opened fire on Dakin Sporting Goods. He hit one of the G-men, Agent Walsh, in the shoulder. (Walsh survived and was taken to the hospital.)

Brady, who was still in the car, called, “I’ll come, don’t shoot!” Brady stepped out of the car and opened fire as he ran across the street. The G-men turned their guns on Brady; Shaffer was still firing at the deadly machine guns. The G-men were closing in on Brady and Shaffer fast. Machine guns were still pelting the street with bullets. Brady was hit and fell dead in the middle of Central Street. Shaffer was hit and lay still but did not die immediately. Brady and Shaffer were taken to the morgue as the fire department cleaned up the street. G-men captured Dalhover without a fight. He was taken to Bangor City Hall.

Al Brady's body was never claimed so he was buried in an unmarked grave in Mt. Hope Cemetery in Bangor.

Shep became quite famous for his participation in the capture and death of Public Enemies One and Two on Oct 12, 1937. He received the $1500 reward and a congratulatory telegram from J. Edgar Hoover.

People from all over the world sent letters and telegrams thanking Shep Hurd for his bravery. He was asked to speak at civic events and made several radio talk show appearances.

Shep Hurd was proud of his involvement in the capture of the Brady Gang, but never boasted. Shep died at the age of eighty on March 24, 1976 in his Searsport home. He is still remembered to this very day for stopping the Brady Gang in 1937.