In 1907, on the head waters of the Bearcreek stream, the Anaconda Copper mining co. and its subsidiary, the Whashoe Coal Co. developed the company coal mining town. Large daily freight shipments of 1,200 tons of coal went to the Anaconda smelters. With the formation of the Montana Power Co. in 1912, soon there was less use of coal and the Washoe Mine closed. Submitted by: Norma Jean Anderson

The following is what is written on the sign for the Smith Mining Disaster Historical Marker near Washoe, Montana.

Smoke pouring from the mine entrance about 10 o'clock in the morning of February 27, 1943, was the first indication of trouble. "There's something wrong down here, I'm getting out," the hoist operator called up. He and two nearby miners were the last men to leave the mine alive. Rescue crews from as far away as Butte and Cascade county worked around the clock in six hour shifts to clear debris and search for possible survivors. There were none. The night of March 4, workers reached the first bodies. More followed until the toll mounted to 74. Some died as the result of a violent explosion in No. 3 vein, the remainder fell victim to the deadly methane gasses released by the blast. The tragedy at Smith Mine became Montana's worst coal mine disaster, sparking investigations at the state and national level. Montana Governor Sam C. Ford visited the scene, offered state assistance and pushed a thorough inquiry into the incident. Today's marker of the Smith Mine Disaster follows a simpler one left by two of the miners trapped underground after the explosion, waiting for the poisonous they knew would come. "Walter and Johnny. Good-bye. Wives and Daughters. We died an easy death Love from us both Be good."

Washoe
Courtesy Ryan Hill

Washoe
Courtesy Ryan Hill

A great view of the Mining camp.
Courtesy Ryan Hill

There are still residents in old Washoe.
Courtesy Ryan Hill

The mining structure in-a-shambles.
Courtesy Ryan Hill

Many rusty store houses.
Courtesy Ryan Hill

The deep elevator shaft.
Courtesy Ryan Hill

The camp and town where built on rolling hill sides.
Courtesy Ryan Hill

Front veiw of the mining structure.
Courtesy Ryan Hill

The Smith miners diaster historical marker.
Courtesy Ryan Hill

Smith Mine
Courtesy Russell Beere

Smith Mine disaster sign
Courtes Russell Beere