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The Montana Stranglers in Dakota Territory
The saga of The Montana Stranglers in Dakota Territory embodies the violence and vigilantism of the Old West
In the early 1880s, desperate characters left over from the fur trade began robbing arriving settlers in the wilderness of Eastern Montana and Northwestern Dakota Territory. Gangs of horse thieves sprang out of camps from the Musselshell in Montana, along the Missouri into Dakota Territory, up into Mouse River-Dogden Butte country and ending at Turtle Mountain. Cattlemen and homesteaders formed vigilance committees, including Granville Stuart’s Montana Stranglers, resulting in the violent death of fifty-four people from September 1883 to December 1884. They weren’t all guilty and there were probably more. Author Ron Berget shares this thoroughly researched, true story of the Montana Stranglers’ bloody pursuits throughout the northern plains.
In the early 1880s, desperate characters left over from the fur trade began robbing arriving settlers in the wilderness of Eastern Montana and Northwestern Dakota Territory. Gangs of horse thieves sprang out of camps from the Musselshell in Montana, along the Missouri into Dakota Territory, up into Mouse River-Dogden Butte country and ending at Turtle Mountain. Cattlemen and homesteaders formed vigilance committees, including Granville Stuart’s Montana Stranglers, resulting in the violent death of fifty-four people from September 1883 to December 1884. They weren’t all guilty and there were probably more. Author Ron Berget shares this thoroughly researched, true story of the Montana Stranglers’ bloody pursuits throughout the northern plains.
176 pages, Paperback
Published October 3, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
November 26, 2024
The reality check for me as I live in this area described, the No Mans Land. Written and oral history is being lost regarding people and events. Even something simple as winter weather,storms range fires and the relentless wind. I am intrigued by the Metis Nation and the pushback they indured. Well, my backpack, metal detector & walk my backyard and game on.The author does elude that this was abuse of power, simple as that. I will definitely revisit this writing this winter while the wind howls, looking out my northern window, observing the Missouri River.(Lake Sakakawea).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 23, 2026
This is a first book by the author Ron Berget. As a work of history it is well done for a first book that includes photos, portrait illustrations, maps, endnotes and index.
Berget records the last of vigilante murders by the Montana Stranglers, headed up by William "Flopping Bill" Cantrell, in the Dakota Territory.
Some of their actions were harassment of squatters apparently on behalf of a wealthy rancher Marquis de Mores. Everyone was squatting around the period of 1884 as the land had not been surveyed at that point.
The book opens with finding the murdered corpse of Francis Gardipee. My primary interest in the book is because I carry Metis ancestry and my family lines landed on this side of the Medicine Line in what became the Turtle Mountain Chippewa Reservation. The Gardipees (Gariepy, Guardipee, etc) would be somehow related to me as most all Metis families are woven in a beautiful tapestry together.
At first look I couldn't get a trace on this Francis Gardipee and no information is given about his parents and birthdate. That may be because the records are simply not there, however another day will have to search the old Catholic church books in Canada where he would likely appear as did most Metis marriages and births, even if the First Nation mother is listed with only a French first name and a location surname. There is mention of Francis' son receiving scrip up in Canada, so there is likely more information out there.
On this count the book was a little disappointing as I was hoping for more specific information on the Metis involved in this bit of history. None of the names he mentioned are in my direct or direct adjacent lines.
Mr Berget interjects his own political and moral take on what transpired which just goes to show that no history is ever written without bias one way or the other.
Berget records the last of vigilante murders by the Montana Stranglers, headed up by William "Flopping Bill" Cantrell, in the Dakota Territory.
Some of their actions were harassment of squatters apparently on behalf of a wealthy rancher Marquis de Mores. Everyone was squatting around the period of 1884 as the land had not been surveyed at that point.
The book opens with finding the murdered corpse of Francis Gardipee. My primary interest in the book is because I carry Metis ancestry and my family lines landed on this side of the Medicine Line in what became the Turtle Mountain Chippewa Reservation. The Gardipees (Gariepy, Guardipee, etc) would be somehow related to me as most all Metis families are woven in a beautiful tapestry together.
At first look I couldn't get a trace on this Francis Gardipee and no information is given about his parents and birthdate. That may be because the records are simply not there, however another day will have to search the old Catholic church books in Canada where he would likely appear as did most Metis marriages and births, even if the First Nation mother is listed with only a French first name and a location surname. There is mention of Francis' son receiving scrip up in Canada, so there is likely more information out there.
On this count the book was a little disappointing as I was hoping for more specific information on the Metis involved in this bit of history. None of the names he mentioned are in my direct or direct adjacent lines.
Mr Berget interjects his own political and moral take on what transpired which just goes to show that no history is ever written without bias one way or the other.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews