I might recommend:
Hall, Daniel S., Garren J. Meyer, Tammy Howser and Jennifer K. Spencer
1997 The Historical Archaeology of Garnet Mining Town. University of Montana
Contributions to Anthropology No. 10., Missoula.
It's a series of articles on subsistence patterns, status and abandonment
behavior of an 1865-1912 boomtown in Montana. Hope it helps...
David Moyer
Graduate Student
University of Montana