Horse Thieves and Liars

About

Dedicated in 1923 the Montrose Courthouse replaced a courthouse converted from the town skating rink in 1885. The stone used to build this historic site came from The Still Water Ranch. This courthouse has a rich history and played a detrimental role in the settling of this valley. 

​

Hugo Selig, nephew of town founder, Joseph Selig, arrived in Montrose via the narrow gauge railroad on July 4, 1887. Selig wrote, Cattle and horse stealing in Montrose County seemed to be a favorite pastime. The stockmen organized the Anti-Horse Thief Association, hoping for the prosecution of cattle and horse thieves, employing Judge Gray as their attorney. As time went on, no one was prosecuted, so the association confronted Gray. He informed them that he had investigated 50 cases and found that the members of the association were all stealing from one another. 

Bell, a former congress member and Judge, and Judge Gray themselves were known as shrewd horse traders. One day, sitting out in front of the frame courthouse, they traded horses with one another. The one Bell exchanged turned out to be stone blind, but the one he received from Gray turned out to be one of Bell’s own horses, with the brand mutilated.(Montrose Daily Press)