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The article discusses the history of childhood in mining camps in Montana, examining amusements, hardships, and dangers. It comments on traveling by wagon and children's first impressions of Montana. The author considers risks to children, including air pollution, diseases, and explosives. She also reflects on their relative freedom and on schools and orphanages. Montana cities discussed include Butte, Alder Gulch, and Virginia City. Experiences of children including Mary Sheehan Ronan, called Mollie, Carrie Crane, and Frances Gilbert Albright are also considered.

The article presents a historical overview of the China War, a dispute between rival mining companies owned by Chinese immigrant laborers which took place in the towns of Virginia City and Alder Gulch, Montana territory in 1881. The article details how race and religious conflict between Chinese immigrants and white settlers played a role in the trials of Ah Wah and Ah Yen, two miners alleged to have murdered others during incidents of the China War. Other topics include the history of gold and placer mining in the region, the Chinese Methodist preacher C. H. Han Bo, and the 1882 U.S. Chinese Exclusion Act.

The article examines social welfare in the mining communities of Virginia City and Madison County in Montana Territory during the 1860s. According to the author, these communities were unable to sustain organized welfare programs when mining operations failed and their populations decreased. It is suggested that the uncertainties inherent in mining towns had discouraged investments in long-term projects such as hospitals and homes for the poor which would have benefited the indigent in these communities. Topics discussed include laws concerning the care and burial of the poor, medical practitioners, taxation, and the transportation of the sick and indigent from the territory.

The article describes a feature on the Virginia City Players of Virginia, Montana. The entry notes that the Virginia City Players have been staging 19th century productions since 1949. It cites the different stage plays that have been performed by the group, including "David Copperfield," "The Saga of Sidonie Castleton" and a signature encore entitled "A Varied Vigorous Vagary of Vivacious Variety Acts." Also mentioned are the Players cast members, including Douglas MacIntyre, Josie Peterson and John Hosking.

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the article "Beyond the 'Mongolian Muddle': Reconsidering Virginia City, Montana's China War of 1881" by Laura J. Arata in the Spring 2012 issue.