P a g e 4 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 This is the way Granite, Montana looked at itself over 125 years ago, when it reported its “biography” for a souvenir edition of the Helena Journal: “The town of Granite is situated in the Rockies, 6,000 feet above sea level; has a population of 2,500 people, and for rugged, picturesque mountain scenery stands prominent in Montana history. It enjoys the distinguished honor of possessing the richest silver mine in the United States, the Granite mountain. Besides the Bi-Metallic, which is a dividend paying mine of no small magnitude, there are mines that skirt the town such as the Elizabeth, East Granite, Zeus, Fannie Parnell, Lord Nelson, Granite Belle, Gold Coin, Morning Star, Cleveland and Young America. Mining is the chief pursuit of the people. There is no other town in the state where people are mingled together in such harmony as in Granite. Of the various nationalities the Irish and the Cornish are in the ascendence. There are four organized bodies of religion: the Presbyterian, the Methodist Episcopal, Church of England, and Catholic. Attendance at these churches is progressively large. In the way of amusement, since the completion of the Miners' Union building (a $20,000 stone and brick structure) the hall has been constantly favored with social parties, dances, concerts and operas of the highest order. The Rod and Gun Club and Baseball Club are trimming their weapons for what they believe will terminate in a successful season. Through the untiring efforts of a favored few a fire system has been inaugurated for the protection of property, and the appliances for extinguishing a fire are justly ample. Tom Trevaille, postmaster is chief of the department. In the mayor’s absence, Deputy Sheriff D.A. McLeod disciplines the unruly, while P. Gallagher and Nixon give every one justice in the courts. Employees of the Granite Mountain, BiMetallic and Elizabeth mining companies find in the reading room a desirable place to spend leisure hours. The hospital, under the able direction of Doctors Sligh and Power, maintains a reputable name, and is a credit to the people. Hon. G.J. Reek, one of the framers of our state constitution, resides over the Fourth of July Parade in Granite, Circa 1900, Courtesy of The Montana Memory Project Photo by Jolene Ewert-Hintz public schools in a manner suited to the endorsement of all. The professor is ably assisted in this work by Miss May Kennedy and Miss Effie R. Buck. The attendance is about two hundred.”Accessed at www.montananewspapers.org.
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