w w w. d i s t i n c t ly m o n ta n a . c o m
79
T
he image of sweat-flecked horses hauling a teetering stage-
coach down a dirt road is a classic when recounting Montana's early
days. But if this particular coach was held up in a notorious Wild West
robbery, the outlaws were in for a surprise. The six-foot-tall, 200-pound driver whipping out a
six-shooter wouldn't be the cowboy they were expecting. Instead, they would have been face-
to-face with mail coach driver, former slave, and formidable woman Mary Fields.
Mary Fields — better known as Stagecoach Mary — was born a slave in Hickman County,
Tennessee, around 1832. While she didn't know her exact birthday nor enjoy the liberties of a
free woman until her adult years, Mary was still luckier than others born into slavery. She learned
to read and write, and her fierce, competent nature made her indispensible to her owners.
Details of Mary's early life are vague. Despite varying accounts, it is known that Mary was
close with blond-haired, blue-eyed Sarah Theresa Dunne, whose friendship eventually drew
Mary to the West. After being freed in 1865, Mary traveled through the Midwest and along the
Mississippi River, staying in touch with Sarah the entire time.
by maggIE
SLEpIaN
Mary
a M o n ta n a l e g e n D
photoS CourtESy of WEDSWorth LIbrary
DEpartmENt
hErItagE
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