Dollycas's Thoughts

"Stagecoach Mary" Fields had such an interesting life. She was born into slavery in Tennessee and when she was freed she developed a true relationship with the Ursuline Sisters in Ohio. She didn't think twice about traveling to their mission in Montana in 1885. She was an independent black woman who wore men's clothing, smoked, drank alcohol, sometimes at the local tavern, carried at least one gun, and did everything the sisters asked and more.  She later added U.S. Postal Carrier to her duties driving a route around Cascade and the surrounding area.

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I enjoy reading fictional stories about historical figures. I had not heard of Mary before reading these stories. I did some research after reading this book and was happy to see how closely the author stayed to known facts and theories of this woman's life. She then took what was known, and told what I assume were fictional stories about the people Mary helped or fought for. She hated how men used their power against women. She had great instincts, was resourceful, and had a huge heart. She inspired people to be their better selves.

Three short stories and a novella comprise All God’s Sparrows and Other Stories. They are informative and entertaining well-written stories I read all in one evening. Ms. Budewitz's attention to detail shows she researched Stagecoach Mary Fields' life fully to bring her to life within these pages. Anyone interested in women's history in our country would enjoy this book.

The following review appeared on Kings River Life
All God’s Sparrows and Other Stories by Leslie Budewitz brings together three short stories (originally published in Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine), and a novella, all exploring the life of “Stagecoach Mary” Fields. These carefully researched and richly detailed pieces of historical fiction are based on Mary’s life in Montana in the late 1800s.

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Image Source Beyond the Page Publishing
Mary was born into slavery in Tennessee. In 1885, she traveled to the Montana mission of the Ursuline Sisters to care for Mother Amadeus Dunne, who was deathly ill with pneumonia. (Mary had worked for Mother Amadeus’s family in Ohio.) She ended up working for the Sisters for many years, and later drove a US Postal Star Route, hence her nickname, “Stagecoach Mary.” She is believed to have been the first Black woman in the country to have such a position.
I loved everything about this––it’s clear Leslie completed a great deal of research into this courageous, independent, and loving woman, and wrote about her with great care and empathy. While the anthology includes separate stories and a novella, they all tied together beautifully, and I felt my admiration for Mary growing as the years and pages went by. Her quiet search for truth and quest for justice is clear in all the stories as she helped neighbors, especially women and children. In her steady way, Mary helped those around her solve mysteries and problems to live a better life. The stories are quick reads and a lovely mixture of the details of Mary’s life and the mysteries that happen every day.

I could not put this collection down, and was totally immersed thanks to the details and storytelling. I would look up and find myself surprised to be sitting in the car pick-up line at school and not out on the frontier of Montana. The ending is beautiful and satisfying, and while I closed the book a while ago, Mary will stay with me for a long time.

"All God's Sparrows and Other Stories" by Leslie Budewitz offers a fascinating glimpse into the life of Stagecoach Mary and the dedicated Ursuline Sisters at their Montana mission in 1885. Budewitz masterfully weaves historical fiction with mystery, creating a rich narrative that immerses readers in the era. While the pacing may be slow at times, the intricate storytelling and well-developed characters make for a rewarding read. The blend of history, intrigue, and personal struggles creates a captivating exploration of resilience and community. This collection is a delightful journey for anyone who appreciates a thoughtful and engaging narrative!

Mary Fields (1832-1914) was born into slavery in Tennessee. When the Civil War ended, she started to work on steamboats and later for a judge in Ohio. She then followed the judge's sister, a Mother Superior at an Ursuline mission, to Montana. There Ms. Fields proved herself a jack-of-all trades, and a much-appreciated member of the mission and town. She also became the first black woman to deliver mail in the area.

Furthermore, she was a crack shot, smoked and drank liquor in and out of bars. Was she trying to be like a man? Not at all, according to the fictionalized stories in this book. Many men did not impress her, because she saw the way they abused their power over women, and how they had abused slaves. Mary Fields was just being herself, exactly how she wanted to be. She was no longer a slave or being told what to do by anyone, except maybe the Mother Superior.

These stories are relatively short and easy to read, although sometimes a bit cluttered. They were all interesting until the endings. It was easy to imagine them being turned into episodes for a television series about Mary Fields. She was tough but kind. Smart but not arrogant. Resourceful as any person could be, man or woman. She never gave up, either. Never surrendered to fears or doubts. Never rested until the day she died.

P.S. Exactly how long did her dog live? :)

What a wonderful book, each story centered on Mary Fields, a bright star in history that so little is written of. Born a slave, once free she would find her voice as the first black woman to deliver mail on a Star route. Her amazing life is an example of rising above hardships and refusing to be held back by circumstances beyond your control. This is an excellent book, my first in Leslie Budewitz' library. Now I'm on my way to see what else she has written.

This is a delightful collection featuring the imagined life and times of the whisky-drinking, pipe-smoking, gun-toting “Stagecoach” Mary Fields as she supports a Christian mission in the Wild West Montana. Her mail (and other sundry) delivery service proves invaluable as life stories, information, and neighborly concern is traded amongst the townsfolk and homesteaders. Mary interacts with infamous personalities and lives her best life given the harsh set of circumstances she’s born into. Her encounters with settlers reflect on the unique circumstances that drew people to settle West and highlights their dreams, the overbearing hardships, and sadly the disappointments that came more frequently than naught.

This is an easy read about the life and times of common folk. There is underlying goodness in Mary and the vibe of the stories.

Thanks to the publisher, Beyond the Page Publishing, and NetGalley for an opportunity to review.

The author brings real-life historical figure “Stagecoach Mary” Fields to life in three short stories and a novella in this anthology.

All God’s Sparrows and Other Stories by Leslie Budewitz
The parable of the starfish is much loved by teachers, so many stranded on the sand, “You can’t make a difference.” The kind soul picks one up, tosses it back into the water, “It made a difference to that one.” This work of historical fiction highlights that aspect of “Stagecoach” Mary Fields’ life, the people she helped, those inspired by her example to persist and help others, and the countless lives that those people might go on to help. May we follow in her footsteps, each in our own way.
At a time when women seldom got to choose their own paths, she was staunchly independent, a beacon for others who wanted that same freedom.
Nor is she presented as a saint; she smoked, drank, and had a temper she worked to contain, proof that one doesn’t have to be perfect to make a difference.

Gripping and fast paced short story about Stagecoach Mary aka Mary Field, a woman who was born into slavery who became a mail-carrier.
It was an intriguing and entertaining read. Well done and well researched
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Well written stories about Stagecoach Mary. A real person that these are fictionalized about what her life would have been like in the mid 1800s in Montana. A quick read for each story, however, each has something concerning the human condition including in the final story a mystery involving land transfer and a death. I received a copy for an honest opinion thanks to the publishers and NetGalley.