Granville Stuart, best known as a Montana cattleman, also earned his living as a miner, merchant, horse trader, banker, rancher, real estate investor, historian, and writer. Many may not know that he also led a highly successful group of Montana Vigilantes called Stuart’s Stranglers, or the Montana Stranglers.

In the early 1880s, Montana was still a wild, lawless place with vast expanses of land and more cattle than people. Under those conditions, it was a haven for cattle rustlers and horse thieves. In April 1884, several cattlemen met in Helena to find a solution to this growing problem. Still, they could not agree on anything other than gathering as much information as possible on the rustlers.

Determining that the leaders of these rustling gangs were several hard cases, Stuart soon gathered up 14 fighting men to go after the outlaws and stop the thievery. Though Stuart called his men a “Vigilante Committee,” much like those that had operated in the Virginia City area two decades earlier, they would forever be remembered as “Stuart’s Stranglers” or the “Montana Stranglers.”

Dozens of Montana outlaws had either been strung up in trees or riddled with bullets within no time. The Montana Stock Growers’ Association was so appreciative of Stuart’s efforts that they elected him president that summer in 1884.

 

©Kathy Alexander/Legends of America, updated October 2026.

Also See:

Montana – Big Sky Country

Old West Vigilantes

Outlaws Across America

Granville Stuart – Montana Pioneer

See Sources.