Front and back of “steam shovel” photo –

Back of photo reads:

1903 – Steam shovel at Drum Lummond syanite [sic] [1] below Marysville

1 – Mike Dobler in white shirt 35 yrs ago

2 –

3 – Wm W. Rumping

4 – Angus McKillican

5 –

6 –

7 –

8 –

Notes:

 [1] Syenite is an uncommon “coarse-grained intrusive igneous rock with a general composition similar to that of granite, but deficient in quartz”.  It occurs in only a few places in North America, including Montana.  Click here for more information.

Also, I noticed the words “Montana Mining” on the side of the steam shovel and assumed it was probably “Montana Mining Co.”  I did a little research and learned that Montana Mining Company Ltd., a British corporation, operated the Drumlummon Mine from 1882 to 1911 (per the Montana Historical Society).