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)
There was a small turnout for the Oct 29 town hall meeting to explain the new emergency transportation plan being offered to residential utility customers in the City of Bowie.
About 25 citizens attended the session at the community center where Will Winters of MASA discussed the plan that will offered to customers and paid for through a $7.75 fee collected on the city utility bill. Every meter is auto enrolled in the plan, but customers can opt out by filling out a form on the city website or at the city finance office.
Customers will have until Nov. 11 as the deadline to opt out before the fee becomes effective on Dec. 1. There also is a process in effective to opt out at a later time. Opting out in the first 90 days qualifies you for a full bill credit refund, but after 90 days, previous fees are non-refundable.
(Top image – Bowie citizens listen to MASA representative Will Winters about details of the program at the city hall MASA meeting Oct. 29.)
Read the full article in your Thursday Bowie News.
The Supertunia Tiara duo debuted in 2025 and in this brief amount of time has become the darling of the landscape. The love and admiration from gardeners across the country including my area of West Georgia and East Alabama has been nothing short of wow.
As much as gardeners treasure their Supertunia Vista Bubblegum petunias, Supertunia Pink Tiara and Blue Tiara are here to say look at me! Oh yes, and both are building a trophy case with awards.
At first, it would seem the Supertunia Tiara Petunias were designed with the artist gardener in mind. While that could be true it is most likely that these petunias are so unique and beautiful that any combination or application you try simply looks ready for canvas.
Read the full Garden Guy column in your Thursday Bowie News.
The Bowie City Council approved a $950,000 project to improve the walking path at Pelham Park on Oct. 27.
Bowie Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Janis Crawley said the upcoming project will repave 26,277 square feet of pathway in concrete, spanning about 0.6 miles in length.
The work covers the trail section northeast of the Blade, curving past the soccer fields and toward the swimming pool.
Another section goes around the pool and sport courts, then back down toward the Blade. The project will also widen the trail section to eight feet and add a new 36-foot bridge.
Read the full story in your Thursday Bowie News.
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