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 MATTERS OF LIFE AND DEATH- Elkhorn, MT. Death came to the people of Elkhorn by disease and accident. A diphtheria epidemic from about 1884-1889 reduced the town’s population. “In one week we buried seven people from one family- first six children and then their mother”, reported an old time resident. The 1889 Boulder newspaper recounts a tragic mishap: “Elkhorn, September 30.- a very sad accident occurred here last Friday evening…in which Harry Walton, a son of John Walton…(was) instantly killed by the explosion of giant powder…” Still, life went on. The Boulder paper reported this account of death and life on April 10, 1889: “Little Miss Rose, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Dan Kennevon, died last night of diphtheria. School has been temporarily closed on account of the prevalence of Photo by Jolene Ewert-Hintz Photo by Jolene Ewert-Hintz diphtheria among children…The Elkhorn company’s mine is still in full operation and the mill is turning out plenty of rich bullion…Mr. Dennis has taken charge of the Commercial Hotel …Quaintance and Leighton, of Boulder have put in a new meat market here…” SCHOOL DAYS Some of the earliest school days in Montana consisted of kids gathering in a cabin for lessons taught from any books available. By 1897, certain books were given out by the state textbook commission. These books had to be used throughout the state of Montana. Here's a list of some of the book prices at that time and the trade in price: Stickney's first reader: 24 cents and 14 cents Spelling book: 20 cents and 10 cents Walshs' Primary Arithmetic: 30 cents and 20 cents Geography: 50 cents and 15 cents English: 38 cents and 22 cents Bookkeeping: 70 cents and 45 cents McGilvra School at The World Museum of Mining named in honor of E.E. "Boo" MacGilvra, a founding member of the museum. Photo by Jolene Ewert-Hintz
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