Elliott Shepard

Elliott Fitch Shepard Jr. (1876 – April 10, 1927) was an American racing driver, who competed in several early motor races. In World War I, he volunteered to treat the wounded, and was awarded the Knight of the Legion de Honneur, the Croix de Guerre and the American Field Service Medal.

Shepard was born in New York City on October 13, 1876. His parents were prominent lawyer and banker Elliott Fitch Shepard and Margaret Louisa Vanderbilt Shepard, eldest daughter of William Henry Vanderbilt and Maria Louisa Kissam. Shepard was educated at Westminster School in Connecticut, and started at Yale University in 1895. In 1896, he was almost expelled in his freshman year for bringing three drunk women to his dormitory. He stated that he didn't want to abandon the women, who became ill, and that they were allowed entrance to his dormitory based on that. He resigned from the school the following day. He later studied at Harvard University.

Shepard married Esther Potter, a 25-year-old widow, in a civic marriage on April 10, 1897. A religious ceremony followed at the insistence of Shepard's mother, after which the newlyweds left for Europe. Shepard went into business in Paris, but was unsuccessful. He briefly returned to the USA with his wife, but they separated and in August 1902, she filed for absolute divorce. Shepard again returned to Paris, living at 244 rue de Rivoli. He made several more attempts as opening businesses, all of which were again unsuccessful.

Shepard knocked down and killed a 12-year-old girl, Madeline Marduel, on April 27, 1905. A trial followed, and on October 26 the judge sentenced Shepard to three months imprisonment, a $120 fine and he was ordered to pay $4,000 in damages to the girl's parents. Shepard appealed the decision, and the case was eventually settled in January 1907, with a reduced sentence of six weeks imprisonment. After nine days in Fresnes prison, Shepard was pardoned after paying a further $2,000.

In the 1906 Vanderbilt Cup, a race started in 1904 by his cousin, William Kissam Vanderbilt II, Shepard lost control of his Hotchkiss HH car and hit two spectators who were killed in the incident. Unaware of what had happened, Shepard continued until reaching the service area at East Norwich. Here he was informed by his mechanic that his car may have collided with someone, and a telephone call to the race organisers confirmed what had happened. Upon hearing this, Shepard withdrew from the event.

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