Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1938-05-07
Scattered Shacks and Ruined Foundations All That
Is Left of Richest, Toughest Mining Camp Known
BY JEAN MOORE

-HE visitor Of today would see
SIittIe fn the scattered shacks and
ruined foundations Of Bannack
to remind him of what was once
called the richest and toughest
mining camp known In fact there
were few who were aware Of the ex-
istence of this little ghost town until
recently when its remaining residents
petitiOned for their right TO q post
office. From q pOpulOus and thriving
bonanza it has degenerated into small
camp of approximately 100 persons
yet, although the camp Of Bannack Is
now little more than a memory, the
name itself VIII continue TO live
through the years as symbol OF true
Montana pioneer days when the sur
Vival of the fittest was a proven fact.
1t was in the year 1861 that George
w. Stapleton decided upon Montana as
a new field, in which to practice law.
He was doomed to disappointment,
however. when he discovered that there
was as vet no need for his services in
this wild and sparsely settled territory.
While awaiting the opportunity to prac- :
tice his profession, he became inter-
eSted in mining as means for a llVe-
lihood AS though to recompenSe MN
for his first disappointment, luck
decided to favor him in his new ven I
ture and he was among the Iirst 70
Grasshopper creek.
News of Discovery Spread !
AS the news of the discovery leaked
out and travelled, via the grapevine sys-
TEN, Mr.. Stapleton soon found nlnlseA
surrounded by many ambitious neigh
bOrs, all anxious to share In his luck
Any transportation available was useo
as a means of getting to GrasShopper
creek. Belongings were piled upon OK
1,,,,loc nd boTcnC which were
often traded upon arrival for claim
on Stapleton's bar. Some came armed
with nothing but hope and courage, I'M
deniable assets in those days. Crude
shelters were at first erected ana as
the population grew these were IoIioWeo
by more pretentiouS buildings. saloons
were on every corner and in few
months from its discovery Grasshopper
creek seethed with a mass OF gold
crazed humans.
With the continued increase in the
population CraSshopper creek seemed
to outgrow its name and 1t was de-
cided that new name should be given
it. Being the founder as well as very
popular citizen, the miners voted that
the name of Stapleton should be sub
stituted for GraSShopper creek. MIR.
Stapleton, however, declined the honor,
stating that it would be more appro-
pirate to call it Bannack after the
Bannock Indians whose nome IL was.
So Bannack it became.
Lack of food, cold, and encounters
with the Bannock Indians caused many
to suffer untold hardships before reach
ing their promised land. All these were
forgotten, however, when, armed with
picks and Shovels, they took their place
with fellow men in their eager attempt
to find a fortune. Many never realized
their dream of wealth but each con-
tributed to the development of new
land. Some unlucky in placer mining
made good in business enterprises and
by freighting goods to their more sue
cessful neighbors.
Food Problem Serious
Bannack's first winter was one to be
long remembered. The problem OF Sc
curing food was a serious one. AS the
nearest source of supply was Salt Lake
City, it was no easy task to risk the
attack of hostile Indians in order to
obtain supplies from the Mormon town.
A call for volunteers was finally made !
by the miners and 10 men responded.
The trip was made with wagon to
which three oxen and horse were at q
tached and the journey was slow and