Molly B’Damn, Part 3: The Final Years

Parts 1 and 2 of Molly’s story traced her early life in Dublin, Ireland, her relocation to New York, her disastrous marriage which started her in a life of prostitution, as required by her husband. She subsequently divorced and fled to the West to find a new life. It was in Murray, Idaho, that she had one more name change, to Molly B’Damn. This would prove to be an iconic moniker that would last for over a century beyond her death.  

Murray was a boisterous mining town experiencing a typical “mining boom.” So, when smallpox struck in 1886, it was understandable that the town was completely unprepared. 

Fear took hold. No one would leave their homes. The sick and dying were left to fend for themselves. Molly was forceful enough to call a town meeting where it was decided they could get an upper hand on the disease by creating small quarantine "hospitals" throughout the town.

Molly worked tirelessly tending the sick while limiting contact with them as much as possible. Eventually the epidemic played out. Molly’s legend now included “selfless nurse” and “ministering angel." 

Perhaps it was Molly’s reported devotion to Murray during this time that weakened her to the point that she herself became ill with “consumption” (tuberculosis) in October 1887. She died in January 1888 at age 35.

Recognizing that she was dying, she asked to be buried as Maggie Hall, her birth name. The funeral was conducted by the Methodist minister since the Catholic priest declined to officiate. The town turned out and the local mines shut down to honor her life. The original gravestone has long disappeared, but is replaced when needed.

Few artifacts acknowledging her life remain. Even the photo often published as her likeness is now reported to be actually that of the daughter of the owner/editor of Murray’s newspaper, the Murray Sun.

Molly’s memory is celebrated each October in Murray with three days of fun, food, games, a parade and a “Molly Look Alike Contest.” The locally composed folk song “The Legend of Molly B’Damn” will be performed at any open microphone available.

The event is well noted on the internet as “Molly B’Damn Days and Car Show”.  

The information about the true identity of the photo was supplied by Dave Miller, member of the board of directors of Murray’s museum.

Richard Sheldon is a member of the Museum of North Idaho board of directors.