P a g e 2 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 In 1894, Ethan H. Cowles came on the scene and bought several of the local properties and built a 10 stamp mill. However, by 1904, a fire in the stamp mill would prompt Cowles to close down operations. Workings were reopened and closed several times over the next several years but eventually all was abandoned. While little remains today of Independence, the legends of the miners who worked the highmountain location live on...The Big Timber Pioneer Newspaper once reported on the conditions. “To a pilgrim it would seem impracticable to even think of working a mine where it required a 15-foot bar of steel to locate the roof of its blacksmith shop under the snow, on the first day of June, but to the boulder miner, such trifles as that prove no obstacle.” Photo by Jolene Ewert-Hintz GARNET SCHOOL This building was built in 1938, the original Garnet school was constructed in 1897. In 1900, the schoolmistress of Garnet’s first school had trouble disciplining the unruly, older boys. The trustees responded with a new ruling, the subject of this poem left behind by an unknown Garnet versifier. Photo by Jolene Ewert-Hintz There’s a school up here at Garnet that is tough The pupils are bright as dollars But they’re rough The teacher is a lady That is right She calls them all her babies But they fight She tries to teach them good manners All she can But the trustees they have tried Another plan -From Interpretive Sign at Site at Garnet Ghost Town The Next Little Cuss That Hollers... They have notified the scholars of the rule That the next little cuss that hollers Out in school Must pack his little turkey And must get right out of school For the trustees are determined that they Must obey the rule. Photo by Jolene Ewert-Hintz
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