On Her Own Terms

A presentation on the life of one of Lincoln's most colorful characters visited the Community Hall last week.

Sponsored by the Montana Historical Society and the Lewis and Clark Library the presentation "On Her Own Terms: The Outfitting Adventures of Mary Faith Hoeffner" highlighted varied aspects of Mary Faith's long and eventful life, retelling the history to those who knew her best, including several of her family members, friends and former employees.

Originally part of the Montana Historical Society's March lecture series on women in Montana History, a yearly fundraiser that charges guests a small fee to listen to a series of guest speakers, the presentation debuted in Helena on March 23 to a sold-out venue.

"We had such an overwhelming interest in the Helena presentation that we realized that not everyone could get in," said presenter Brad Hansen, who helped compile Mary Faith's memoirs prior to her death in 2015. "The venue in Helena only seats about 60 people, and we had more...interested in the event."

The Montana Historical Society decided to bring the presentation to Lincoln April 12, free of charge, and it was very well attended.

One count placed attendance at around 100 people.

"Mary Faith was from Lincoln. We knew that many of her friends and former outfitting friends and guides would want to probably hear the same presentation in Lincoln," he said.

Local rancher Eddie Grantier had hoped to attend the sold-out presentation in Helena, so he was glad the Montana Historical Society chose to encore in Lincoln.

"That was great, because they didn't have enough room in Helena and...this is where the people are – the people who knew her," he said. Grantier, 82, isn't sure how long he knew Mary Faith but said it was at least since she and her husband, Kenny Hoeffner, first began their outfitting business in Lincoln, and possibly longer.

"I might have known them before that, because I knew her dad," he said. "I've known that family forever."

Ward Kemmer, who worked for the Hoeffners as a guide and wrangler from 1984 to 1992, also planned to attend the Helena presentation but was unable to get tickets.

"To tell you the truth, I was a little skeptical," Kemmer said. "I thought...I wonder how they're going to present Mary Faith? Because I really did know her, and she was the real thing, no doubt about it. I was afraid they were going to make it sound like she was someone else, and it really wasn't that way at all."

Hansen visited with Mary Faith in Lincoln in 2014, where she gave him both an oral account of her history and many stories that she had written down. He compiled the stories into a book in Mary Faith's own words, "Nothing Like Riding a Good Horse in New Country: Memoirs of a Woman Outfitter in Montana." The presentation was comprised of stories from the book, accompanied by a photo slideshow.

"I decided to touch on some of her fun times, some of her adventures, and then some of what she wrote about in her book as her tough times," Hansen said. "I think that both types of stories helped get a better sense of who she was and the complexity of her life, and, also what a wonderful person and optimist she was."

Hansen said he worked closely with Mary Faith's son, Jeff, while planning the presentation.

"We talked quite a bit about what I would present, just so I made sure I had the approval of the family before I said something, because I talked about some pretty tough things," he said. "I mentioned the murder of her father and stepmother, and I talked about the death of her husband and how she was very resilient and came out of those experiences a stronger woman. We talked about some outfitting stories, adventures in the backcountry...some of the guides that she had over the years and some of those really funny, interesting parts of her life as well."

There were those who felt that discussion of the 1977 murders of Mary Faith's father and stepmother, Kenneth and Marion McLean, touched upon a raw nerve for some friends and family members.

"The only thing that I didn't think he should have done as much of was that he got into when they murdered the McLeans, and he went on and on about that quite a bit," Grantier said. "It was interesting but...I think happy times are a lot better than that."

However, most agreed the presentation captured the spirit of Mary Faith and the life she lived.

"He said a lot of good things, like about when the Mike Horse Mine broke in '75 and it poisoned their horses in the river, and the whole town had a benefit for them," said Bill Quay, who helped the Hoeffners pack out their camp several times over the years.

"I knew a lot of the stories he talked about, but had been told different or shorter versions," said local rancher Christine Holm said. "I hadn't thought of the horses dying for a long time...lots of people I know came up in the presentation."

"I thought he did a great job, I was really impressed. He really got her down to the real thing that she was, the real gal," Kemmer said.

Following Hansen's presentation, Mary Faith's children addressed the gathering, reminding them to cherish their family members and thanking them for being good friends over the years.

Hansen said many people wanted to discuss their own memories of Mary Faith following the hour-long talk.

"Everybody knew her, so everybody had a story to add," he said. "Somebody could write a whole book – another book – on the stories that we didn't get to tell. I met a lot of people and everyone was very gracious with their comments and thanked me for coming over."

"There's lots more stories, but...I think he did a good job," Grantier said.

When asked why he would have driven to Helena to attend the lecture, had it not come to Lincoln, Grantier's answer was simple.

"Because they were my friends," he said of the Hoeffners.

"I loved Mary Faith, she was like a second mom, or a third sister," said Kemmer. "Knowing Kenny and Mary Faith was just an important part of my life...she and Kenny were Blackfoot Valley pioneers. They were icons."

For Holm, who knew the Hoeffners most of her life and spent time in their backcountry camp, it was hard to choose a favorite part of the presentation.

"It was so Mary Faith," she said. "There was a photo of the stars at night from camp. Brought back memories of a time I was back there with her and slept under the stars...I remember it just as it showed in the photo. Mary Faith got to live the life she loved, and what more can any of us ask for?"

Mary Faith's memoirs are available on Amazon.com, or by contacting her son, Jeff Hoeffner.