Dora DuFran | |
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 DuFran in 1928 | |
| Born | Amy Helen Bolshaw (1868-11-16)November 16, 1868 Liverpool, England |
| Died | August 5, 1934(1934-08-05) (aged 65) |
| Other names | Dora Bolshaw |
| Occupation | Brothel madam |
| Spouse | Joseph M. DuFran |
| Parents |
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MadamDora DuFran orDora Bolshaw (néeAmy Helen Dorthea Bolshaw; November 16, 1868 – August 5, 1934)[1][2] was one of the leading and most successfulmadams in theOld West days ofDeadwood, South Dakota.
DuFran was born inLiverpool, England and emigrated to the United States with her parents Joseph John (1842–1911) and Isabella Neal (Cummings) Bolshaw (1844–1911) sometime around 1869. The family settled first atBloomfield, New Jersey, then moved toLincoln, Nebraska in 1876 or 1877. She was an extremely good looking girl in her youth, and became involved inprostitution around the age of 13 or 14. She then became adance hall girl, calling herself Amy Helen Bolshaw.[citation needed] She is documented as still living in Lincoln, Nebraska, in 1883, employed as a domestic servant.[3] Around that time, aged about 15, Dora relocated to thegold rush townDeadwood, South Dakota, and began operating abrothel.[3]
DuFran picked up several girls who arrived in Deadwood via thewagon train led byCharlie Utter. From time to time, Old West personality Martha Jane Burke (Calamity Jane, 1852–1903) was in her employ. Dora's main competition in Deadwood was MadamMollie Johnson.
DuFran had several brothels over the years. The most popular was called "Diddlin' Dora's", located on Fifth Avenue inBelle Fourche, South Dakota. "Diddlin' Dora's" advertised itself as "Three D's – Dining, Drinking, and Dancing – a place where you can bring your mother". And though the cowboys frequented the popular place, most just wanted to "get down to business", with at least one man remarking, "I wouldn't want my mother to know I had ever been there."[4] Dora also owned The Green Front Hotel.
DuFran's other brothels in South Dakota and Montana were located inLead,Miles City,Sturgis, and Deadwood. While in Deadwood, Dora got married and continued her brothel operations. After her husband's death, she moved the business toRapid City, South Dakota, where she continued having success as a brothel owner.[4]
DuFran married Joseph M. DuFran (June 16, 1862 – August 3, 1909), "a personable gentleman gambler" who helped grow her business.[4]
DuFran died of heart failure in 1934. Her pet parrot Fred and husband Joseph are buried with her at Mount Moriah Cemetery in Deadwood.[4]
DuFran (under the pseudonym: d'Dee) published a 12-page booklet onCalamity Jane titledLow Down on Calamity Jane (1932).[5] In 1981, this booklet was reprinted in an expanded 47-page version, edited by Helen Rezatto.[6]
DuFran is often credited with coining the term "cathouse", but evidence indicates that the term was in use before she began her career.[3]
Dora DuFran is featured inLarry McMurtry's book aboutCalamity Jane, titledBuffalo Girls: A Novel (1990). In the TV movieBuffalo Girls (1995), based on McMurtry's book, Dora DuFran is played byMelanie Griffith.
In the TV seriesDeadwood andDeadwood: The Movie, the character ofJoanie Stubbs is loosely based on Dora DuFran. Stubbs is played by actressKim Dickens.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)| International | |
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