In 1866, prospectors hammered together Beartown almost
overnight. By 1870, the boom ended. Nothing remains
visible of Beartown today. Located in the Garnet range,
Granite County Montana. |
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In contrast to Garnet,
where family living was common in the late 1890's, this
early mining community of Beartown, Montana fit the classic
image of the Wild West. (sign in Beartown, MT) |
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A miner known as 'Shorty' made local history when he
stumbled drunkenly into his own fireplace and badly burned his arm.
Dr. Armistead Mitchell sawed off Shorty's arm and then joined his
patient in an all-night poker party. Whiskey proved a powerful
anestetic.
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