Forty Years on the Frontier

"One of the most remarkable men in the history of the West...one of the best and most important accounts of Old West life." -Truewest Magazine, September 4, 2018

"Lovers of frontier lore should be grateful for the salvaging of so many tales of high emprise which deserve a place in the folklore of America." -New York Times Book Review, June 13, 1926

"Granville Stuart lived in Montana for 61 years...combined the roles of gold miner, cattleman, Vigilante, adventurer, intellectual, historian...began keeping conscientious, accurate journals from which Granville Stuart later drew in preparing...'Forty Years on the Frontier.'" -Great Falls Tribune, Dec. 6, 1964

"Stuart's book on his life in the Montana Territory titled 'Forty Years on the Frontier' is considered mandatory reading for students of Montana history." -Great Falls Tribune, Oct. 23, 2012

"Granville Stuart...was involved in so many aspects of our early history that he was widely known as 'Mr. Montana'...." -Independent-Record (Helena, Montana), June 25, 1998

"In 'Forty Years on the Frontier,' Stuart...claims the distinction of...the first prospecting for gold done in what is now Montana." -The Montana Standard, Oct. 12, 1941

"Granville Stuart...was engaged in a work of frontier history when he died October 2, 1918...Mrs. Stuart with the aid of Prof. Paul C. Phillips...completed his work...titled 'Forty Years on the Frontier.'" -Casper Star-Tribune, Feb. 20, 1929

Was famous Montana pioneer Granville Stuart the first gold prospector of Montana and in his role as a cattleman and Vigilante how did Granville handle the small-time "Nestors," cattle rustlers, and horsethieves that plagued his rangelands?

In 1925, Mrs. Stuart with the aid of Prof. Paul C. Phillips published posthumously Granville Stuart's book on his adventures in Montana's early years titled "Forty Years on the Frontier."

Granville Stuart, from a young age kept copious notes, diaries, and journals. He routinely kept copies of most all his correspondence. He wrote several books on Montana and its pioneer history. His writings are considered to be seminal works on the history of the western United States.

In introducing his work, Granville writes:

"The new year saw marvelous changes in Montana: from a primeval wilderness, inhabited by a few roving bands of Indians and an occasional trader or trapper, we had emerged into a full fledged territory, with a population of 14,817 souls. Many new and important gold discoveries had been made at Prickley Pear, Last Chance, Silver Bow, and Ophir. Thriving villages had sprung up at all of these places. The first territorial legislature was in session at Bannack, enacting laws for better government. Emigrants were thronging into all the principal valleys and many fine ranches were being improved. Virginia City was an incorporated town."

About the author:

Granville Stuart (August 27, 1834 - October 2, 1918) was a pioneer, gold prospector, businessman, civic leader, vigilante, author, cattleman and diplomat who played a prominent role in the early history of Montana Territory and the state of Montana. Widely known as "Mr. Montana", Granville's life spanned the formative years of Montana from territorial times through the first 30 years of statehood. His journals and writings have provided Montana and western historians unique insights into life in the Northern Rockies during the second half the 19th century.

Granville Stuart was a 2008 Legacy Inductee into the Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame in Big Timber, Montana. In 1966, he was inducted into the Hall of Great Westerners of the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum.