Forum rules
Welcome to the Leverguns.Com General Discussions Forum. This is a high-class place so act respectable. We discuss most anything here other than politics... politely.
Please post political post in the new Politics forum.
Cigar-Smoking, Gun-Toting Mary Fields Carried Montana’s Mail
Cascade, Mont., was the quintessential frontier town of the Wild West, packed with saloons and home to a handful of settlers and gold seekers who built up the area after the railroad arrived. As statehood was approaching in 1889, all of Montana had fewer than 350 African-American residents. One of them lived in Cascade, and she delivered its mail. The gender-bending, cigar-smoking, fist-fighting Mary Fields, already in her 60s at the time, became the first African American (and the second woman) to drive a mail coach for the Wells Fargo Co. when she began her mid-Montana route in 1895. Story.
...Proud owner of the 11.43×23mm automatic using depleted Thorium rounds.
Cascade is my Montana Hometown. Nice little community--also the place where Charles M. Russell married and lived as a honeymooner. His little cabin still stands.
Wonderful story, she overcame 2 huge barriers over half a century early by modern history. I suspect she was both tough and smart. I'm going to show my daughters!!
Alberta had an outstanding early black pioneer, John Ware. He is a similar local legend sadly fading from memory these days. He made his way here from South Carolina, and Texas in 1882. My family ranched near by and he was fondly remembered by the locals, at least in the 50s. There were tales about his unusual strength and his cowboy skills and those guys weren't easy to impress around horses or cattle.
Now that is impressive! I once went on a family vacation to the Bahamas in my late teens. It was a very powerful experience. The woman there had a swagger to them I have never forgotten and I would not mess! -Tutt
"It ain't dead! As long as there's ONE COWBOY taking care of ONE COW, it ain't dead!!!" (the Cowboy Way)
-Monte Walsh (Selleck version)
"These battered wings still kick up dust." -Peter Gabriel
Its wishful thinking --- but i wish the youth in the black community (and white community , greatness doesnt have a color) today would spend more time researching people like this lady, - George Washington Carver, Tuskeegee Airmen , Jackie Robinson etc etc than whatever antics "Puff Daddy" or Kanye West are up to
Streetstar wrote:Its wishful thinking --- but i wish the youth in the black community (and white community , greatness doesnt have a color) today would spend more time researching people like this lady, - George Washington Carver, Tuskeegee Airmen , Jackie Robinson etc etc than whatever antics "Puff Daddy" or Kanye West are up to
Hear, hear!
And I believe Mary has a carbine, not a musket - the Model 1876 musket had a 32" barrel.
Riamh Nar Dhruid O Spairn Lann
- motto on the Irish Regiments' flags
-Tutt