The farm where the Montana Freemen were locked in an 81-day standoff with the FBI earlier this year has been sold by the federal Farm Service Agency.
Known as Justus Township, the foreclosed 960-acre property is 28 miles northwest of Jordan.It was part of a ranch formerly owned by Ralph and Kay Clark, longtime residents of Garfield County. Ralph Clark is now in the Yellowstone County jail at Billings awaiting trial on numerous federal and state charges stemming from Freemen activities.
The Freemen voluntarily surrendered to the FBI on June 13. None of the cases has come to trial yet.
Mel Yost, agriculture credit specialist with the Farm Service Agency state office in Bozeman, said the new owner is Alfred Bassett of Melstone.
His name was drawn first from among three qualified applicants, Yost said.
The drawing at Jordan earlier this month was conducted under the Federal Agricultural Improvement Act, which gives priority to beginning farmers and ranchers. The advertised appraised market value was $150,000.
The property consists of 556 acres of dryland hay and 393 acres of native range. Listed improvements include an older dwelling, four metal grain bins, an implement shed and four small log cabins. The parcel also contains a 10-acre reservoir.