Ghost Towns and History June 1, 2019 Ghost Towns and History of Montana Newsletter C o p p e r C i t y , M o n t a n a False starts are a common theme among many ghost towns. The highs and lows made mining such a risky business and Copper City was no stranger to the trials and tribulations. Gold was discovered by placer miner Al Nichols in 1864. In the 1870s, four Gallatin City men found a boulder of copper quartz. In 1880, J.O. Hopping came on board and mining shafts were erected in the area but failed to produce anything significant. Next, a 13 foot shaft was dug Photo by Jolene Ewert-Hintz that did produce several loads of high grade ore. This prompted several claim stakes in the area. The ore was soon lost at Hopping’s Stella Mine. Upon further digging, the shaft was flooded and then abandoned. Work on the Green Eagle shaft The Madisonian– Oct. 4, 1884 Photo by Jolene Ewert-Hintz
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 would produce another glimmer of hope but that wouldn’t last. In 1915, the Dunbar Mine was worked but again, nothing of significance to report. The teasers became too much and work on the claims stopped. To Get There: From I-90, take Exit 274 near Three Forks. Turn north on US-287 and follow to Copper City Road. Turn east on Copper City RD and follow to town. Photo by Jolene Ewert-Hintz Leiterville, Montana Claims were made on the Wisconsin Creek in the 1860s and mining camps started popping up. Leiterville was named for the Leiter family of Chicago who owned many claims in the area. The camp consisted of miner's cabins, a boarding house a large stamp mill and a school house. Mining was tapped out by 1898.The camp is high in The Tobacco Root Mountains about 8 miles NE of Sheridan. Photo: Miners in front of Leiterville Mine, 1890. Courtesy of MSU Library The Log Cabin Bar, about 10 miles south of Deer Lodge has been closed for over ten years and now sits silent. But, it bustled with exSubscribe to our Magazine for just $12 a year! Do you enjoy ghost town stories and photos? Grab yourself a print subscription to our magazine, Ghost Towns of Montana and Beyond! We publish quarterly and feature not just Montana but several other states as well! Also makes a great gift! Visit the following link to order via PayPal: https:// www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_sxclick&hosted_button_id=GHCYS7MES5K9S Or, send check or money order in the amount of $12 to Ghost Towns and History of Montana, LLC, P.O. Box 126, Warm Springs, MT 59756 Be sure to write MAGAZINE on your check. Thank you! Photo by Jolene Ewert-Hintz citement for many years. It started as a railroad depot in the 1880s and then turned into a watering hole/post office combo. It survived the last several years as a western bar. Hank Williams drank there, Charlie Pride played there and it was even the set for a Lucky Lager commercial.
G h o s t T o w n s a n d H i s t o r y P a g e 3 Butcher Hank Crawford, Bannack's first sheriff, was living in a cabin along bachelor's row when he heard the news that Henry Plummer was "looking" for him. He was ready and shot Plummer in his right arm but Plummer would regain his shooting prowess and chase Crawford out of town. Plummer went on to become sheriff. Photo by Jolene Ewert-Hintz Please be sure to share this newsletter with a friend! RULES for TEACHERS DUTIES (Before or After School Session) Wash windows and clean classroom with soap and water once a week. Check outhouses daily. (Plenty of old catalogues are available at School Board office) APPAREL (Forbidden wear in public at ALL times) WOMEN: 1. A bathing costume. 2. Bloomers for cycling. 3. Skirts slit to expose ankles. 4. Bustle extension over 10 inches. MEN: 1. Detachable collar and necktie removed from shirt. 2. Shirt sleeves unlinked and rolled. 3. Hair closely cropped (unless bald or have disease of the scalp). Photo by Jolene Ewert-HIntz CONDUCT (Cause for immediate dismissal) Smoking of cigarettes, use of spirits, frequenting of pool or public dance halls. Marriage or other unseemly behavior by women teachers. Joining of any feminist movement, such as the suffragettes. Signed by Superintendent,- Sept. 15, 1886
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 From The Ismay Newspaper– June 1909: It's been awhile since any children have experienced "back to school" days at the Maudlow School. Built in 1909, the Maudlow School is the only known example of the two story rectangular frame type of school house built in Gallatin County. A large student enrollment, brought about by the consolidation of a number of schools in the area, necessitated a larger than normal building. Elementary classes would be held on the first level while the high school met above. The railroad through Maudlow was abandoned in 1980. Photo by Jolene Ewert-Hintz A correspondent of the London Electrician says the following is an instant remedy for toothache: With a small piece of zinc and a bit of silver (any silver coin will do), the zinc placed on one side of the afflicted gum, and the silver on the other, by bringing the edges together the small current of electricity generated immediately and painlessly stops the toothache. – The Madisonian Newspaper– April, 1884 -FROM THE GOLD MEDAL FLOUR COOKBOOK– 1910 $3.50 for 100 pounds of Gold Medal Flour! Ad from the Fergus County Argus Newspaper– February 7, 1908
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