P a g e 3 G h o s t T o w n s a n d H i s t o r y o f M o n t a n a N e w s l e t t e r turn of the century as claims changed hands again. Between 1905 and 1906, the Indian Queen produced half a million pounds of copper along with some silver and a bit of gold. The future still looked bright in 1908 when the local newspaper reported that a man from Dillon, Dug Newcomer had visited Farlin and decided to build a “Kentucky Hardware” business. Even though the smelter had been closed a year prior, the new owners found more than enough ore after blowing out the mine and Dug believed Farlin would become “the liveliest camp in Beaverhead County.” The success wouldn’t last. The ore continued to decline in the years to come and in 1923, the mine closed. No longer will the town come to life on payday, no longer will school children perform recitals for their families and friends, no longer will a load of produce be seen coming Photo by Jolene Ewert-Hintz down the street. The camp may have gone silent but it still has plenty to say… Elkhorn, Montana– Historic Mining Town The Elkhorn Mine's first rich silver deposits were discovered in 1870 by Peter Wys. In 1872, the mine was purchased by Anton M. Holter. A.M. Holter was a pioneer from the Alder Gulch mining camp who later became a successful business man residing in Helena, MT. The newly purchased mine became known as the A.M. Holter Lode, or even more popularly known as the Elkhorn Mine, named after Elkhorn Gulch in which it was built. As the mine flourished the new town of Elkhorn grew. Photo by Jolene Ewert-Hintz By 1888 A.M. Holter thought the best ore had played out, so he sold the mine to an English syndicate, the London-Swansea Developing Co., for a half a million dollars. The English company made more improvements to the mine and mill, and the mine did well until the collapse of silver prices in 1896. The Elkhorn Mine was up for sale again. In 1901 three men from Helena, John, Henry and Frank Longmaid, reopened the mine. They pumped the water out of the mine and revamped the mill. They collected ore from the mine as well as reworking the waste dumps. Photo by Jolene Ewert-Hintz The Town of Elkhorn's population was 2,500 for a short time during the 1890's. This was while the mining production was going strong. Elkhorn was booming!! The ethnic diversity of Elkhorn during this time was significant. Fortune seekers had come from all over the world to participate in the mining booms of the western United States, and now they were in Elkhorn. Photo by Jolene Ewert-Hintz
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