Ranch Highlight: W-Bar Ranch in Wibaux, Montana

By Dr. Scott White

From Frenchman to American rancher, Pierre Wibaux left the security of his family’s successful textile business in Roubaix, France, to pursue a dream of leaving his own legacy. His pursuit led to the creation of his lucrative W-Bar Ranch and a town named after him: Wibaux, Montana.

Pierre’s father assumed he would take over the family business one day, but Pierre’s experiences while serving with the French Dragoons allowed him to meet several British men who told him of the great opportunities in America in the cattle-raising business. Reluctantly, Pierre’s father consented to his son’s wish to become a cattleman and furnished $10,000 for his venture.

In 1883, Pierre set out for Chicago to learn more about the industry before making his investment. There he met rancher Marquis de Mores, who told him of the prosperity in North Dakota and Montana. Pierre traveled with de Mores to what is formerly known as Beaver Creek where he decided to establish his ranch.

During this time, he also traveled to Sioux City, Iowa, where he began to buy and sell cattle and horses with his short-lived partner, fellow Frenchman Gus Grisy. Grisy quickly realized he did not like the work. Now without his partner, Pierre geared his focus to building up his ranch. He lived in a primitive dugout where he learned the in and outs of being a cowboy, foreman, and rancher all while eating and sleeping beneath the stars. After three years, he reached the end of his resources and traveled back to France for more capital. He returned to his ranch with his new bride, Mary Ellen, and allegedly celebrated their first Christmas dinner in the dugout dressed in full evening wear.

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While building a new house for his bride, Pierre also began to build up his cattle herd up to 10,000 head. In 1887, one of the most severe winters in history perished over 70 percent of the range cattle. Despite his losses, Pierre saw an opportunity and began to buy surviving cattle from nearby ranches and farms. The timing was right; there was a shortage of beef causing high prices for the cattle. By 1890, Pierre had one of the largest herds in the country at the time with over 40,000 cattle.

By the end of the 1890s, the W brand was on 65,000 cattle and 300 horses. The ranch was branding 10,000 to 12,000 calves every year and had about 25 cowboys working full-time. The W-Bar cattle grazed the Badlands South to Wyoming and to the Powder River in the West.

Pierre ran cattle in the area until 1900 when settlers began coming in such numbers that ranching on a large scale was no longer feasible. Afterward, he became the president and principal owner of the State National Bank in Miles City and was the principal owner of the Clover Leaf Gold Mining Company in Deadwood, South Dakota. Additionally, he had many other business interests in France, Mexico, California, and Alaska.

Pierre and Mary Ellen had one child, Cyril Wibaux. After his death in 1913, Pierre’s remains were brought back to Wibaux, Montana, at his request. A 9-foot-tall bronze statue of Pierre Wibaux sits mounted on a granite slab above his tomb. He is represented wearing a buckskin jacket and trousers, a Stetson hat, and chaps with his rope coiled at his feet and one hand on his rifle looking toward his ranch.