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The Camerons
Evelyn and Ewen
Birding in Central
Montana 1912-1913
Henry L. Armstrong
Soft Cover $15.95
Evelyn Cameron - noted early Montana photographer from the Miles
City area, and her husband Ewen, an ornithologist, made two
little-known birding trips to Central Montana in October 1912
and April 1913. This 80-page book contains 33 - 6x9 photographs
taken by Evelyn along with her daily diaries, including some
editor’s comments and clarifications. These photos and diaries
have not previously been seen in print. They were largely taken
in the Square Butte and Big Sag areas, as well as Fort Benton,
Great Falls and Stanford.
Evelyn and Ewen Cameron immigrated from England to the Terry,
Montana country in 1893; Evelyn giving up the leisurely
lifestyle of wealth and security for a vastly different
environment. After their disastrous attempt to raise polo ponies
for the European trade, due to the animals being dead (or nearly
so) upon arrival there, they found themselves in a dire
situation by 1894. But, Evelyn would refuse to return to
England, instead immersing herself in learning the skills
necessary to follow a career in photography, which she pursued
until her death in 1928. It was largely through her efforts that
the Camerons were able to hang on to their ranch through some
very lean years. For some time, her photographs sold for only 10
to 25 cents each. In 1912 the Camerons were lured to Central
Montana by a friend, W.R. Felton, who sent pictures of large
birds on a nest in that area. Her life has been superbly
chronicled by Donna Lucey in her book PHOTOGRAPHING MONTANA
1894-1928. This book, THE CAMERONS - EVELYN AND EWEN, Birding in
Central Montana 1912-13, might be considered a supplement to her
book, bringing out these two little-known trips in their lives.
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