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Montana Hometown To Honor Knievel

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The Associated Press

Published: December 2, 2007

HELENA, Mont. - Former motorcycle stuntman Evel Knievel, who was remembered after his death Friday as Montana's native son who kept ties to his hometown of Butte, will be eulogized at a funeral in his hometown.

A funeral was planned for Dec. 10 at the Butte Civic Center.

Knievel, 69, died Friday at his home in Clearwater. He had been in failing health for years, suffering from diabetes and pulmonary fibrosis.

Immortalized in the Washington's Smithsonian Institution as "America's Legendary Daredevil," Knievel was best known for a failed attempt to jump an Idaho canyon on a rocket-powered cycle and a spectacular crash at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas. He suffered nearly 40 broken bones before he retired in 1980.

Knievel's career began to take a downturn in 1977 after he was sentenced to six months in jail for attacking former television executive Sheldon Saltman with a baseball bat. Saltman, whose left arm and wrist were shattered, said Saturday he hoped Knievel was "at peace."

"I've always felt pity for him," said Saltman, 76, who still has a $12.75 million judgment pending against Knievel that, with interest, he estimates has grown to more than $100 million.

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