Secret of Mrs. Nash: A 19th Century Enigma

In the autumn of 1878, Mrs. Nash, a respected laundress and midwife at Fort Abraham Lincoln, died with a final request to be buried as she was. This wish was not honored, and upon removing her clothing, women at the post discovered she had male anatomy, a revelation that quickly became international news.

Little is known of Mrs. Nash's early life or birth name. She is believed to have been born in Mexico and may have previously presented as a man. She eventually settled in Kentucky, later moving with the 7th Cavalry to Dakota Territory, where she became a trusted member of the community.

Elizabeth Custer, wife of Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer, wrote fondly of Nash's domestic skills and popularity. Despite occasional remarks about her appearance, Nash was known to be social and embraced life at the isolated fort, assisting women with childbirth and daily needs.

Married twice before, her third husband was John Noonan, a soldier in the 7th Cavalry. Noonan was away on detached duty when Mrs. Nash fell ill and died. The ensuing scandal led to widespread speculation that Noonan knew his wife's secret, with some suggesting his silence was bought.

Upon returning to the fort, Noonan was hounded by reporters demanding answers. He maintained his wife was a woman, predicting the mystery would one day be cleared up. However, facing jokes and harassment from fellow soldiers, Noonan died by suicide less than a month after his wife.

Nearly 150 years later, Mrs. Nash's story continues to be discussed in contexts of gender and history. Her burial site remains uncertain, though historical research suggests Greenwood Cemetery near Fort Abraham Lincoln as a likely resting place, despite lost records.