Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1891-03-19
The New Estray Law.

The following estray law was passed
by the general assembly:
SECTION L. That the board of stock
commissioners, be and it is hereby au-
thorized, to take possession of all es-
tray horses, mares, geldings, colts,
mules and asses found running at large
upon the public domain and to dispose
OF the same subject to the following
restrictions:
SEC. 2. For the purpose OF carrying
this act into effect said board OF stock
commissioners, shall divide the state
into suitable districts, and as the oc-
casion may require, shall appoint some
person in each of said districts whose
duty it shall be to take into his posses
sion all such estrays found in his dis
trict.
Sec. 3. Such person so appointed for
said purpose shall hold the estrays so
collected by him in his possession, and
care for the same in the best and most
practical manner, for period offorty-
two day from the time all such estrays
have been taken into possession, dur
ing which time said estrays shall be
advertised in one paper within the dis
trlct where such estrays shall be held,
and in one general stock paper of the
state once a week for the period offour
consecutive weeks, which notice shall
be in form as follows:
Notice is hereby given that L have
taken into my possession the following
estrays there describe the animals) and
that hold the same eat.........--.........
.................in the county of................
................and State of Montana.
SEC. 4. At the expiration of the said
forty-two days all animals not claimed
l. - - II
be sold by the board OF stock commits
sioners in such manner, and at such
time and place, as such board shall
deem best. At the time OF said sale
said board shall cause all animals to
be branded with u brand to be adopted
by said board, which shall be vent
against all other brands on said ami
NAL.
SEC. 5. Said board shall keep on file
in its Office record giving as near as
may he it's age, color, sex and brand
of all animals sold under this act, to-
gether with the gross and net amount
realized for the same, which net amount
shall be held by said board, subject to
the order of the rightful owner when
such ownership is proven to the salts
faction of said board.
SEC. 6. The board of stock commits
sioners shall file semi-annualy u copy
of the report OF such animals sold dur
ing the proceeding six months with the
secretary of state and each of the
county clerks OF the state, and said
board of stock commissioners shall
also make such record part OF their
annual report to the governor.
| SEC. z. All expense attending the
gathering, holding, advertising and
selling OF such estray animals shall be
paid out OF the gross proceeds OF the
sale of such animals and so much OF
the net proceeds of the sale as is not
claimed within the period of two years
after such sale, shall be covered by the
board of stock commissioners into the
state treasury and become a part OF
the state inspector and detectivefund.
4 Sec. 8. 1t is hereby made a misde-
meanor for any unauthorized person
to take up or in any manner hold any
estray animal except in the manner
now provided by law for trespassing
animals, and any person so doing con-
trary to the provisions of this act
shall be, upon Dconviction thereof, fined
in the sum of not less than twenty-five
dollars nor more than one hundred
dollars, or be imprisoned inthe county
Jail not less than ten nor more than
sixty days, or shall be subject to both
such fine and imprisonment.
SEC. o. Any estray within the mean
ing of this act shall be considered an
animal that, after inquiry by the in
spector or the person herein provided
for to be appointed by the board OF
stock commissioners in each OF said
districts, among reputable stock own
!, ers and frseholders is found to be APP
parently without ownership in that
, locality.