Mona Darkfeather
| Mona Darkfeather | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born |
Josephine M. Workman January 13, 1883 Boyle Heights, California, US |
| Died | September 3, 1977 (aged 94) Los Angeles, California, US |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1911 to 1917 |
| Spouse(s) |
Frank Montgomery (1912–1928) Alfred G. Wessling (1928–1935) Frank Montgomery (1937–1944) |
Princess Mona Darkfeather (January 13, 1883 – September 3, 1977) was an American actress who starred in Native American and Western dramas. Chief Big Thunder gave her the title “Princess” after the Blackfoot Native American Tribe made her a blood member. During the silent era of motion pictures, from 1911 to 1917, she appeared in 102 movies. Playing Native American characters in a dignified way, her most famous role was possibly as Prairie Flower in The Vanishing Tribe (1914).
Her career began in 1909 when she replied to a local newspaper advertisement placed by producer/director Thomas Ince's Bison Motion Pictures. The movie studio was looking for someone with the physical attributes to portray an American Indian and who was physically capable of doing stunts and riding horses. While she had never acted before, Workman fit the appearance that Ince wanted. She apparently embellished her riding skills, as she did not have any, but nevertheless quickly learned horsemanship. Given the stage name Mona Darkfeather, she was cast in her first starring role as an Indian maiden named Owanee in the 1911 movie Owanee's Great Love.
She was born Josephine M. Workman in Boyle Heights, California, and baptized at the Plaza Church, Los Angeles, when she was four months old, the daughter of Joseph Manuel Workman (1833–1901) and Josephine Mary Belt (1851–1937). Her siblings were Mary Cristina Workman (1870–1963); Agnes Elizabeth Workman (1872–1957); Marie Lucile "Lucy" Workman (1875–1944); William Joseph Workman (1877–1956); George D. Workman (1879–1903); and Nellie Workman (1886–1888).
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