They say Mary Fields had a spirit as untamed as the frontier—and though her toughness earned her the nickname “Stagecoach Mary,” it was her deep commitment to others that made her a legend of the American West.
Standing over six feet tall and always ready for the rugged terrain, Mary Fields braved Montana’s wild roads in the late 1800s, delivering mail more than 300 miles each week. With a revolver on her hip and a rifle close by, she safeguarded each delivery from danger. But it was her compassion, strength, and unwavering loyalty that left a lasting mark.
From Slavery to Frontier Trailblazer
Born into slavery around 1832 in Hickman County, Tennessee, much of Mary Fields’ early life remains undocumented. After the Civil War brought her freedom, she ventured into a new life—first as a steamboat worker, then as a housekeeper for Judge Edmund Dunne in Ohio.
There, she met Mother Mary Amadeus, a nun who would change her path. When Mother Amadeus later fell ill while establishing a mission in Montana, she called for Mary—who traveled west without hesitation to care for her. Mary chose to remain in Montana, working grueling jobs like hauling freight, tending livestock, and guarding supply wagons—once even fending off wolves alone after a wagon overturned.
Shattering Barriers as a Mail Carrier
Mary’s bold spirit and no-nonsense attitude sometimes clashed with convent life. After a heated altercation with a coworker, she left the mission, but remained nearby in Cascade, Montana. Encouraged by Mother Amadeus, she applied to the U.S. Postal Service.
Despite being over 60, Mary beat out the competition in a horse-hitching test and landed the job—becoming the first Black woman and only the second woman ever to work as a U.S. mail carrier. Her route covered harsh terrain and extreme weather. When roads were snowed in, Mary would strap on snowshoes and trek through blizzards with sacks of mail on her back. Rain, snow, or sleet, the mail always got through—thanks to Stagecoach Mary.
More Than a Mail Carrier
Mary wasn’t just a postal legend—she was a beloved community member. Fierce but warm-hearted, she was known for her dry humor and protective nature. Locals entrusted her with their children, and she was a fixture at local baseball games, bringing flowers for the players.
After retiring, she ran a laundry business and remained a respected figure in Cascade. When fire destroyed her home and shop, the town came together to rebuild—proof of how much she meant to them.
The Legacy of Stagecoach Mary
Mary Fields wasn’t just a pioneer—she was a force of nature. Her life is a testament to strength, compassion, and perseverance. Long after her final delivery, the legend of Stagecoach Mary rides on.