NEWS
Sheriff’s research finds 1905 election approved stock law and closed range
By BARBARA GREEN
editor@bowienewsonline.com
Open range vs. closed range. It is a concept that has been fought over and debated since the early days of trail drives and cattle barons in the 1800s.
Texas is an open-range state, which means just that, livestock owners are not required to fence in their livestock to prevent them from roaming at large. However, there are two exceptions: The passage of local, county-based stock laws and the development of U.S. and State Highways, which have changed large portions of the state from open range to closed range.
Earlier this year an informational meeting on fencing laws raised questions about Montague County’s status as open or closed range. County AgriLife Agent Justin Hansard said they had about 50 people attend a May 10 webinar on fencing laws and those present, including himself, thought Montague County was open-range.
With the answer still not clear, Sheriff Marshall Thomas began researching the issue digging through county records to finally discover a 1905 election that approved a stock law in the county making it closed range, contrary to previous perception it was open.
Landowners in closed-range areas have a duty to prevent their livestock from running at large, usually by maintaining a fence to keep their livestock on their property. In an open-range area it is up to other landowners to put up a fence to keep animals out of their property.
Thomas said while he does not want to put additional hardship on those who have cattle, horses or other livestock, his officers deal with an average of 700 stray cattle calls a year. Time they could be on the street handling calls from citizens.
“My job is to keep people safe and use the money this office is given the most efficient way possible. My guys carry fence repair stuff and we will do it, but that is not our job. However, we also don’t want the animals on the road. I have seen too many get hurt,” said the sheriff.
The commissioner’s court minutes from Aug. 16, 1905 show a petition was presented by M. Webb and 190 others as “freeholders” (landowners) throughout Montague County. The petition asked for an election to determine whether horses, mules, Jacks, Jennets and cattle shall be permitted to run at large in the county.
Read the full story in the mid-week News.
A Cowdex sign posted on a sign indicates the landowner’s registration in the county sheriff’s electronic database of livestock owners. (Courtesy photo)
Members of the Bowie City Council will meet at 6 p.m. on Aug. 25 to finalize the budget and conduct a public hearing on a proposed tax rate.
The ordinances adopting both the 2026-27 budget and the 2026 tax rate are on the agenda for action. The public hearing on the tax rate presents a rate of .5750 cents per $100 in property value, which is slightly higher than the 2025 rate that is .5430.
The new rate is projected to generate $2,990,998, compared to $2,703,176 from last year’s rate. This is the first significant change in the rate since 2019, when it was .5445 cents. The next year it went to .5447 cents, where it stayed until 2023, when it went to .5430 cents, through 2025.
A bid will be awarded for the Rock and Pillar Street drainage project. Wall Contractors will be recommended by the city engineer and staff review. The bid came in about $1.3 million, which was lower than the estimated $2 million. It is expected to straighten the channel and get this intersection reopened for traffic after more than a year of closure to collapse of a portion of the pavement on the street.
The council will consider stop signs regulating traffic flow around the Kingdom Ridge Subdivision next to the elementary school.
In the city manager’s report Bert Cunningham will provide information on the hazard mitigation plan, the 2025-26 audit preparation and the bid for the Rock and Pillar project.
Montague County Commissioners will adopt a budget and tax rate when they meet at on Aug. 24 in the courthouse annex.
The budget hearing will be at 8:30 a.m. Aug. 24, followed by a public hearing for the proposed tax rate at 8:45 a.m.
During the regular meeting at 9 a.m., there will be one final budget workshop for any last minute tweaks or changes, followed by adoption of the 2026-27 budget and 2026 tax rate.
The proposed tax rate is .4961 cents per $100 in property value, which is the same rate as 2025. Due to the increase in property values despite the same rate, the total tax levy on all properties will see a 3.64% increase.
A copy of the proposed budget is available on the county website at https://www.co.montague.tx.us/.
Several other financial related items are on the agenda. Accumulated comp time in the sheriff office and jail will be discussed. The commissioners also will consider any year-end expenditures utilizing any or the budget year contingency funds.
Other items on the agenda will include: Acceptance of the District Attorney’s 2023- 2024 and 2025 Chapter 59 asset forfeiture reports and authorize DA Katie Boggeman to sign them; imposition of optional fees from the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles for 2027; House Bill 3834 cybersecurity and AI training certification for state and local governments compliance reports; interlocal cooperation agreement between the Department of Public Safety and the county court and district court; review the sherif office application for sheriff immigration law enforcement grant program Senate Bill 8; consider distribution of state grant HB 3000; and consider using Real Estate Station LLC Agent Denise Thurman to sell 5.9 acres on the corner of U.S. 81 and State Highway 59.
It should be no surprise, the month of July is recorded as the hottest month on record for the country.
July wrapped up with seven straight days of 100 degrees or higher July 25-31. August also opened hot with the first 100-plus degree day on Aug. 3 and it has topped that marked through Aug. 19. On Tuesday the high was 107 degrees at the water plant, but in town thermometers recorded 108 and 109 degrees.It was expected to top that mark on Wednesday.
There was no rainfall recorded in July or in August. Bowie has only 21.71 inches for the year so far and Nocona has 22.35 inches.
Lake Amon Carter
Aug. 19 –
917.22 msl, 80.2% full
July 19 – 918.10 msl, 86.1%
Aug. 19, 2025 – 919.84 msl, 98.8% full
Lake is full at 920msl
Lake Nocona
Aug. 19 – 823.48 msl, 76.3% full
July 19 – 824.41 msl, 81.05%
Aug. 19, 2025 – 826.878 msl, 95.85%
Lake full at 827.5msl
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