Steer Montana
Steer Montana, born and raised in Fallon County by Jack Guth, was the undisputed “World’s Largest Steer” in his day. Jack took the behemoth bovine on tour across the United States, charging admission to see this giant steer. Upon Montana’s death at the age of 15 years and 4 months, his hide was taken to Nebraska to be mounted on a wheeled platform, and Jack once again took his steer on tour. Guth eventually sold the mount to a Billings museum. When the museum closed, Steer Montana ended up in a warehouse. Eventually his location was discovered by Bernie Heiser, who purchased the mount and brought it back to Fallon County, first to be displayed at Heiser’s Bar, and later donated and displayed right here at O’Fallon Historical Museum.
Bernie Heiser pictured with the bones of Steer Montana, circa 1999.