Pardon may be sought for early Glacier Park ranger

Dave Renfrow would like to see Joe Cosley forgiven.

On Monday, Renfrow asked the Columbia Falls City Council to write a letter to Gov. Brian Schweitzer requesting a pardon for Cosley.

Joe Cosley is one of the first rangers to serve in Glacier National Park and also its most infamous after he was fired for trapping inside the Park.

He was arrested in 1929 and taken to trial, but friends bailed him out. He then took off and later died in Canada in 1943.

Renfrow and others are organizing a Cosley Camp display that will open during Heritage Days in July. Several artifacts from Cosley’s life will be included.

Mayor Don Barnhart said he would be willing to write a letter if the council approved.

However, the council split on a vote over writing a letter. Council members Mike Shepard, Doug Karper and Harvey Reikofski voted against the motion.

“Why? He is a criminal,” Reikofski asked before the vote.

Karper said he didn’t know enough about the issue to make a decision.

Council member Dave Petersen said he agrees with Renfrow’s request.

“We should let bygones be bygones,” he said.

The council decided to look into the issue further before making a final decision.

A letter will be drafted for the July 19 meeting in case the decision is reversed.