Centennial Spotlight William Skelton, Judith Basin Co., MT

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Centennial Spotlight
Editor note: The Press will be carrying a series of articles on some of the old-timers who settled in Judith Basin 
County. It will be impossible to cover all of these early settlers, but we hope to feature several who were among 
the first to arrive. We think you will enjoy the articles written by Steve Urick.

Things certainly weren't easy for the early pioneers who settled the West. Winters were cold in drafty cabins; 
transportation was limited to horses or walking. Indians still inhabited some areas; and money was often scarce. 
The early settlers had to have a great deal of determination. And such was the case of William Skelton.

Skelton was born in England in 1850 and came to the United States when he was 16 years old. He soon decided to 
head west and eventually ended up in Montana. According to his grandson Bill the dream of "striking it rich
In addition to mining, he trapped wolves in many areas including Snowy Mountains, the Arrow Creek breaks and
 the Little Belt Mountain.

Mr. Skelton moved to Judith Basin County in the late 1870's. He settled on Wolf Creek where Bill Skelton's 
headquarters are presently located. In 1879, he married Vaitlain Vann, and they raised 11 children.

When Skelton first arrived, the Homestead Act had not been enforced. Land was acquired by preemption, which 
simply required shaping and placing logs, which were to serve as a foundation for a settler's home. Like many 
others Mr. Skelton acquired  additional land by constructing log cabins on other sites. Bill estimated that with 
each preemption, the settler would acquire about 40 to 60 acres. Through preemption and purchases. Skelton built 
up a sizable ranch.

William Skelton raised cattle and horses; but also had sheep at one time. Much of the Judith Basin was open range 
then, with fences few and far between. Large herds of cattle were run on the open range. Much of the meat was 
sold to area miners, loggers and other homesteaders. Large roundups were held and the cattle were driven to 
shipping points. " In the early years, Culbertson, MT was considered to be a cow capital because it was the end of 
the railroad line. Cattle from this area were sometimes driven to Culberton, where they were shipped on the 
railroad." Bill said.

Ranching was not a lucrative business in those days; and William Skelton relied on other means to put bread on 
the table. He continued to work at several mines, and trapped wolves.

William Skelton was the subject of Charlie Russell painting "The First Furrow", which pictured him farming on the 
bench were the last Judith Basin roundup corrals were located, just south of Stanford. William Skelton received
the original painting. But when he children got "The Fever" he had no way to pay the doctor; and traded the 
painting for the doctor bill. Three of Skelton's children died from the illness.

Several of Skelton's sons are portrayed in another Russell painting. "In Without Knocking" This painting shows 
several Wild West cowboys riding their horses into a bar.

William Skelton's home also served as mail distributing point in the early days. "Mail was delivered here before 
they had the Post Office in Stanford." Bill noted. They would lay the mail on the kitchen table, and my 
grandmother sorted it. She even had to read letters for a few of those who were unable to read."

Stanford Bay Skelton (Bill's Dad) was the first white child born in Stanford. Born in 1895, he served in World War I. 
He also spent several years in Hollywood as a cowboy stuntman. Stanford Bay eventually returned to take over 
William Skelton's ranch.

Willaim Skelton died in 1943, but many signs of his presence still remain on the ranch, now operated by Bill. 
Several of the century-old buildings constructed by William Skelton, including his original log house, which 
served as a delivery point for mail, are still standing.

***Error, Stanford Bay was not the first white child born in Stanford, William, his oldest brother was.