Otto Franc facts for kids

Count Otto Franc von Lichtenstein (1846–1903) was an important figure in the early history of Wyoming. He was a very successful rancher, sometimes called a "cattle baron," and also served as a sheriff and judge in the Big Horn Basin area.

Franc was born in Germany into a noble family. In 1866, he moved to the United States. He first visited the Big Horn Basin in Wyoming during a hunting trip in 1877–1878 with a famous scout named Texas Jack Omohundro. He liked the area so much that he came back the next year. In 1879, he started the Pitchfork Ranch on the Greybull River, close to where the town of Meeteetse is today. Over time, he became a powerful rancher and a leader in the region.

Otto Franc: Wyoming Pioneer

Facing Famous Outlaws

In 1893, Otto Franc was involved in the arrest of the famous outlaw Butch Cassidy and his friend Al Hainer. They were accused of taking three horses. Cassidy and Hainer said they had bought the horses fairly, but they couldn't show any official papers. Butch Cassidy was found guilty, but Al Hainer was not. Some people thought Hainer might have made a deal with Franc.

Butch Cassidy was sent to the Wyoming State Penitentiary, which is a prison. In 1896, the governor, William A. Richards, pardoned him, meaning he was officially forgiven and released early. The time Cassidy spent in prison made him decide to become a full-time outlaw. Soon after he was released, he formed his famous gang, the Wild Bunch.

A Mysterious End

Otto Franc died on November 30, 1903. The way he died is still a mystery. Local newspapers at the time reported that his double-barrel shotgun accidentally went off while he was crawling under a fence on his ranch.

Lasting Legacy

The Pitchfork Ranch, which Otto Franc started, is still active today. It is well-known for its efforts to protect wildlife. In 1981, a group of black-footed ferrets was found on the ranch. These animals were once thought to be extinct, meaning they no longer existed anywhere in the world. Finding them on the Pitchfork Ranch was a very exciting discovery for wildlife conservation.

Places Named After Franc

Several places in Wyoming are named after Otto Franc:

• Otto, Wyoming – A small community located along the Greybull River.
• Francs Peak – This is the highest point in the Absaroka Mountains.