Mary Fields aka Stagecoach Mary

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Pub Date 31 Mar 2016 | Archive Date 31 Jul 2016

Description

This is the story of Mary Fields, 'Stagecoach Mary', who got her nickname at the turn of the 20th Century. She earned this nickname by working for the United States Postal System delivering the United States Mail through adverse conditions that would have discouraged the most hardened frontiersmen of that period. All by herself, she never missed a day for 8 years, carrying the U. S. Mail and other important documents that helped settle the wild open territory of central west Montana. Mary had no fear of man, nor beast, and this sometimes got her into trouble. She delivered the mail regardless of the heat of the day, cold of night, wind, rain, sleet, snow, blizzards, Indians and Outlaws.

Mary was 6 feet tall, and weighed over 200 pounds, and even with 'those' extraordinary extremes, there were two more facts that made 'her' history. Mary was the second woman in 'history' to carry the U. S. Mail, however, even that was a matter of simplicity, for a fact, she was a Negro Woman, and the only 'Negro', for hundreds and hundreds of miles when she first arrived in Montana.

This feature story covers Mary's colorful life, from the plantation where she was born a slave in 1832, to the famous Steamboat race between the "Robert E. Lee" and the "Natchez" on the Mississippi River, to her death in Cascade, Montana, 1914.

Stagecoach Mary was a cigar smoking, shotgun and pistol toting Negro Woman, who even frequented saloons drinking whiskey with the men, a privilege only given to 'her', as a woman. However, not even this fact, sealed the credentials given to her, her credentials boasted that, 'she could knock out any man with one punch', who stepped upon her womanhood, a claim she proved true.

Erich Hicks, founder of Alpha Wolf Productions Inc., is an acclaimed Special Effects Coordinator, Producer and Writer, with over 20 years of experience in the entertainment industry. The company is an independent production outlet that develops, writes, and produces feature film and television content. Historically, Erich is the first African-American/Black to receive a Special Effects Pyrotechnic Operator's 1st class Master's License in the Motion Picture Industry. Thus, he is expertly qualified to produce and direct action sequences, stunts and explosions to achieve a realistic scene.

As a writer, Erich's first novel, Rescue at Pine Ridge, released in December 2008. The novel is a historical narrative, depicting the all-Black 9th Calvary. Known as the US military's famed 'Buffalo Soldiers', which helped settle the American West in the late 1800's. Erich has completed an accompanying screenplay for a TV mini-series, Trilogy, and Epic Feature, and has garnered support from some of HOLLYWOOD'S acclaimed Industry Producers/Directors/and Actors. Dedicated to exploring the history of African-Americans/Blacks and shattering stereotypes, his Alpha Wolf Productions, Inc. has also developed a feature film documentary, Soul on a Wave which exposes the life and times of surfers of color.

This is the story of Mary Fields, 'Stagecoach Mary', who got her nickname at the turn of the 20th Century. She earned this nickname by working for the United States Postal System delivering the...


A Note From the Publisher

keywords: Mary Fields, Mail, African American, Black History, Montana, Stagecoach, Outlaws, Cowboys, Postal System, Historical, 1914, 1832

keywords: Mary Fields, Mail, African American, Black History, Montana, Stagecoach, Outlaws, Cowboys, Postal System, Historical, 1914, 1832


Advance Praise

I had read many things about Mary Fields, until I read the book on Mary Fields aka Stagecoach Mary life I really learned a lot more about her life. A person can follow Mary's life very easily reading this book. Born a slave, died a free woman. One can tell the author of this book, Erich Martin Hicks, put a lot of time and effort into researching Mary's life. It's a must read; you won't be disappointed.

I had read many things about Mary Fields, until I read the book on Mary Fields aka Stagecoach Mary life I really learned a lot more about her life. A person can follow Mary's life very easily reading...


Marketing Plan

EBOOK, PAPERBACK, HARDCOVER

EBOOK, PAPERBACK, HARDCOVER


Available Editions

EDITION Ebook
ISBN 9781506901022
PRICE US$7.99 (USD)

Average rating from 15 members


Featured Reviews

What an amazing story.
So what if it is only 50% accurate. This gives a real impression of what the late 1800's was like and what a great life she had.
A really good read.

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A lot of research went into this book. The subject matter was interesting but I struggled to finish it. I did not care for the writing style at all

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An amazing tale of an incredible woman...even if it is not all true. I loved it and fans of Western tales should enjoy it. The tale of a multi talented and strong woman is a great read. I reviewed on Goodreads. Thank you for my copy.

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Mary Fields was a folk hero, larger than life! She grew up, a slave child working in the "the Head House," alongside her mama. She plays with MaryJo, the daughter of the plantation owner, when not working. She's smart and quickly learns life lessons from those in the House and in the fields. All she learns adds to her impressive accomplishments later in life! This fictional accounting is entertaining. The historical pictures included are priceless. One obvious fact that is incorrect is that all slaves were freed by the Emancipation Proclamation; it freed slaves in only 10 states! A good story.
Book free thru Netgalley for honest review.

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I received a free electronic copy of this historical novel from Netgalley, Erich Hicks, and First Edition Design Publishing in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for sharing your work with me.

This is an ARC, so the excessive commas and run on sentences will be fixed. At first they were distracting, but within a chapter or so the story was engaging enough to make them invisible. This is a great story, told well. We follow Mary from her days as a field slave into the job of house slave to the daughter of the house on a plantation in Mississippi. More enlightened than most slave owners, the lady of the house allows Mary to be educated alongside her daughter. At the death of her mother, Mary is promoted to her mom's position in the household of head housekeeper and the daughter of the house is sent north, to a Catholic secondary school. Throughout the Civil War and the death of the plantation owner, Mary holds together the plantation, including the slaves. With her emancipation Mary expands her world, working her way first to a housekeeping job on a new Mississippi river paddle-wheeler and then into the Catholic nunnery and Indian school system. This brings her to Montana, where she thrives. This tale is so well told that you can close your eyes and see Mary, hear her stand up for herself when necessary. She was truly an inspiring lady.

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