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The Camerons
Evelyn and Ewen
Birding in Central
Montana 1912-1913
Henry L. Armstrong
Soft Cover $15.95
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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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