Category: Prostitute

Mary Katherine Horony

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Mary Katherine Horony, better known as Big Nose Kate, was a Hungarian-born figure of the American Old West, renowned for her independence, resilience, and her long-term relationship with gunfighter Doc Holliday. Born on November 7, 1849, in Érsekújvár, Hungary (now Nové Zámky, Slovakia), Kate’s life took her from a privileged upbringing to a rugged existence as a prostitute, dance hall girl, and occasional outlaw associate in the frontier towns of the American West. Her nickname, “Big Nose Kate,” likely derived from her prominent nose or her bold, inquisitive nature, though she embraced her reputation as a formidable woman. This biography explores her early life, her adventures in the Wild West, her tumultuous relationship with Holliday, and her later years as a pioneer, drawing on historical records and contemporary accounts.

Early Life and Immigration

Mary Katherine Horony was born into a well-to-do Hungarian family, the second daughter of Dr. Mihály Horony, a physician, and Katalin Boldizsár. Her father’s connections to European nobility included an appointment as personal surgeon to Emperor Maximilian of Mexico in 1862, reflecting the family’s status. In 1860, at age 10, Kate immigrated with her family to the United States, arriving in New York City aboard the steamship Bremen. They settled in Davenport, Iowa, within a German-speaking community, where her father practiced medicine.

Tragedy struck in 1865 when both of Kate’s parents died within a month of each other, leaving her and her six siblings orphaned. At 15, Kate and her siblings were separated, and she was placed in a foster home under the care of Otto Smith. Unhappy with this arrangement, Kate ran away in 1867, reportedly stowing away on a steamship bound for St. Louis, Missouri. There, she adopted the name Kate Elder and began forging her own path.

Some accounts suggest that in St. Louis, Kate briefly married a dentist named Silas Melvin, with whom she may have had a son. Both reportedly died of yellow fever, though evidence of this marriage is inconclusive. By 1874, at age 24, Kate had moved to Dodge City, Kansas, a bustling cattle town, where she worked as a prostitute under the name Kate Elder, marking her full entry into the gritty world of the frontier.

Life in the Wild West and Meeting Doc Holliday

Photograph of John Henry Holliday taken by photographer D.F. Mitchell in Prescott, Arizona, 1879-80.
Photograph of John Henry Holliday taken by photographer D.F. Mitchell in Prescott, Arizona, 1879-80.

By 1876, Kate had relocated to Fort Griffin, Texas, a rough outpost known for its saloons and transient population of cowboys, soldiers, and outlaws. Working as a dance hall girl and prostitute, she thrived in the chaotic environment, known for her sharp wit and independence. In 1877, at John Shanssey’s Saloon, she met John Henry “Doc” Holliday, a Georgia-born dentist turned gambler and gunfighter. Holliday, suffering from tuberculosis and known for his volatile temperament, was drawn to Kate’s fiery spirit and intelligence. Their meeting sparked a passionate, on-again-off-again relationship that lasted until Holliday’s death in 1887.

Kate and Holliday’s relationship was marked by mutual affection but also frequent quarrels, often fueled by alcohol and the stresses of their itinerant lifestyles. Kate, described as tall, blonde, and strong-willed, was no shrinking violet; she reportedly stood up to Holliday’s temper and even saved his life on at least one occasion. In 1878, when Holliday was arrested in Dodge City for gambling, Kate allegedly set fire to a shed as a diversion, allowing him to escape—a story she later recounted, though some historians question its veracity.

Role in the Tombstone Era and the OK Corral

In 1878, Kate and Holliday moved to Dodge City, where she continued working as a prostitute while Holliday gambled and practiced dentistry sporadically. Their relationship was tumultuous, with Kate occasionally leaving to work in other towns. By 1880, they had settled in Tombstone, Arizona, a booming silver-mining town and a hotspot for outlaws and lawmen. There, Holliday became associated with the Earp brothers—Wyatt, Virgil, and Morgan—while Kate worked in saloons and brothels.

Kate’s time in Tombstone is most famous for her involvement in the events leading to the Gunfight at the OK Corral on October 26, 1881. Earlier that year, she and Holliday had a heated argument, during which Kate, possibly intoxicated, accused Holliday of involvement in a stagecoach robbery. This led to her brief arrest and Holliday’s questioning, though no charges were filed due to lack of evidence. The incident strained their relationship and fueled tensions between Holliday and the Clanton-McLaury faction, rivals of the Earps. Kate’s accusation, though likely exaggerated, contributed to the escalating conflict that culminated in the OK Corral shootout, where Holliday and the Earps faced off against Ike and Billy Clanton, Tom and Frank McLaury, and Billy Claiborne.

After the gunfight, Kate and Holliday left Tombstone intermittently, as Holliday faced legal scrutiny and ongoing feuds. Kate’s role in Tombstone was not as an outlaw but as a peripheral figure in the violent drama, supporting Holliday through his gambling and health struggles.

Later Years with Holliday

Throughout the early 1880s, Kate and Holliday drifted through Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona, living in mining towns and gambling hubs. Kate supported herself through prostitution and occasionally gambling, while Holliday’s tuberculosis worsened. Despite their frequent separations, they reunited repeatedly, bound by a complex loyalty. In 1884, Kate was in Silver City, New Mexico, while Holliday gambled in Leadville, Colorado. By 1887, Holliday’s health had deteriorated significantly, and he entered a sanatorium in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, where he died of tuberculosis on November 8, 1887, at age 36. Kate was not with him at the time but later claimed to have been devastated by his death.

Life After Holliday

After Holliday’s death, Kate’s life took a quieter turn. In 1888, she married George Cummings, a blacksmith, in Colorado, but the marriage was short-lived due to Cummings’ drinking and their mutual incompatibility. By the 1890s, Kate had settled in Cochise County, Arizona, working as a housekeeper and boardinghouse operator. She later lived with a man named John Howard, possibly as a common-law wife, in Dos Cabezas, Arizona, until his death in the early 1900s.

In her later years, Kate became a respected figure in Arizona’s pioneer community, distancing herself from her earlier life as a prostitute. In 1931, at age 81, she applied for residency at the Arizona Pioneers’ Home in Prescott, initially claiming to be Kate Cummings, Holliday’s legal widow, to secure admission. Though she and Holliday never formally married, her application was accepted, and she lived there until her death on November 2, 1940, just days shy of her 91st birthday.

Legacy and Cultural Impact

Big Nose Kate’s life encapsulates the challenges and opportunities of the American frontier for women. As an immigrant, orphan, and working-class woman, she navigated a male-dominated world with remarkable resilience, transitioning from prostitution to a respected pioneer. Her relationship with Doc Holliday, romanticized in books and films, made her a fixture in Western lore, though historical accounts often overshadow her with Holliday’s and the Earps’ exploits.

Kate’s story has been depicted in numerous works, including the 1957 film Gunfight at the OK Corral and the 1993 film Tombstone, where she was portrayed by Joanna Pacula. However, these portrayals often exaggerate or simplify her role, overlooking her complexity as a survivor and entrepreneur. Her memoirs, recorded late in life by Dr. Glenn Boyer, offer insights into her experiences, though their accuracy is debated due to embellishments.

In Arizona, Kate is remembered as a pioneer who outlived the Wild West, embodying the spirit of independence that defined the era. Her grave in Prescott’s Arizona Pioneers’ Home Cemetery remains a point of interest for historians and tourists.

Conclusion

Mary Katherine Horony, known as Big Nose Kate, lived a life of extraordinary adaptability, from her privileged Hungarian childhood to her survival in the rough-and-tumble world of the American West. Her relationship with Doc Holliday, marked by love and conflict, placed her at the heart of iconic events like the Gunfight at the OK Corral, but her story extends beyond her famous companion. As a prostitute, gambler, and later a respected pioneer, Kate defied societal constraints, leaving a legacy as one of the West’s most enduring female figures.

Rosa May

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Rosa May, Born Rosa Elizabeth White in January 1855
Rosa May, Born Rosa Elizabeth White in January 1855

Rosa May was a prostitute and madam in Bodie, California, during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, known for her colorful life in the Wild West. Born Rosa Elizabeth White in January 1855 in Pennsylvania to Irish immigrants, she ran away from home at 16 and entered prostitution in New York City. By 1873, she was working in Virginia City, Nevada, under madam Cad Thompson, and later moved to Bodie around 1888. There, she ran a successful brothel in the red-light district, owned a house, and had a relationship with saloon owner Ernest Marks.

A local legend, popularized by Ella Cain’s 1956 book The Story of Bodie, portrays Rosa as a “hooker with a heart of gold” who died nursing miners during a 1911–1912 epidemic. However, research by George Williams III found no evidence of such an epidemic or her death, suggesting she may have left Bodie after 1910 as the town declined. Her fate remains unknown, but her story, preserved through letters and folklore, makes her a legendary figure in Bodie’s history, with a supposed grave at Boot Hill Cemetery drawing tourists.

Early Life and Beginnings

Rosa Elizabeth White, known as Rosa May, was born in January 1855 in Pennsylvania to Irish immigrant parents. Raised in a strict household, Rosa’s early life was marked by constraint, which may have contributed to her decision to run away from home at the age of 16 in 1871. Fleeing to New York City, she found herself in a challenging environment with limited opportunities for a young, uneducated woman. It was here that Rosa entered the world of prostitution, a path that would define much of her life. From 1871 to 1873, she drifted through mining camps in Colorado and Idaho, honing her trade in the rough-and-tumble towns of the American West.

Life in Virginia City

By 1873, Rosa May arrived in Virginia City, Nevada, a bustling silver mining town. She quickly became a prominent figure in the local red-light district, working under madam Cad Thompson (Sarah Higgins) at the Brick House, a well-known brothel. Rosa was a favored employee, often entrusted with managing the establishment during Thompson’s trips to San Francisco. Her time in Virginia City, from 1873 to 1888, was spent circulating between brothels in Virginia City, Carson City, and Reno. Described as a petite, dark-eyed, curly-haired woman, Rosa was known for her charm and emotional volatility, traits that endeared her to some and alienated others. Letters and diaries from the period suggest she took a genuine interest in those around her, though her early years may have been shaped by a traumatic event, the details of which remain unknown.

Move to Bodie

In 1888, Rosa began traveling between Virginia City and Bodie, California, a gold-mining boomtown. She settled in Bodie by 1893, where she formed a significant relationship with Ernest Marks, a saloon owner. Rosa purchased a house in Bodie’s red-light district, known as Virgin Alley, for $175 in 1902, establishing herself as a fixture in the town’s underworld. Her home, marked by a red lantern, was adorned with fine furnishings, silver doorknobs, and mirrors, reflecting wealth accumulated from her trade and Marks’ affection, who reportedly lavished her with diamonds and furs. Rosa’s time in Bodie was marked by her business acumen, as she ran a thriving prostitution and gambling operation alongside Marks.

The Legend of the “Hooker with a Heart of Gold”

Rosa May’s legacy is tied to a local legend that portrays her as a compassionate figure who nursed sick miners during a supposed epidemic in Bodie, ultimately succumbing to the illness herself in the winter of 1911 or 1912. This story, popularized by Ella Cain’s 1956 book The Story of Bodie, earned Rosa the moniker “the hooker with a heart of gold.” However, extensive research by author George Williams III in the 1970s casts doubt on this narrative. Williams found no evidence of an epidemic during 1911–1912, and contemporary accounts from Bodie residents refute the claim. It’s likely that Cain’s account, which includes a photo of an unmarked grave surrounded by a wooden fence, was embellished for dramatic effect. The grave, a popular tourist attraction at Bodie State Historic Park, may not even be Rosa’s, as a headstone placed there in 1965 by Louis Serventi was based on family stories and Cain’s book, not definitive evidence.

Disappearance and Legacy

Rosa May appears in the 1910 Bodie census, listed as a 46-year-old prostitute, but no records of her exist in the town after that year. As Bodie’s economy declined, she may have left in search of better opportunities. Despite an exhaustive search, Williams found no death records for Rosa, leaving her fate uncertain. A delinquent tax notice from 1913 lists her property in Bodie, suggesting she may have abandoned it. Her story, shrouded in mystery, is preserved through 26 personal letters discovered by Williams, which offer glimpses into her charismatic yet complex personality.

Rosa’s life was dramatized in the musical Nevada Belle by George Morgan and Duane Ashby, and her supposed grave remains a draw for visitors to Bodie’s Boot Hill Cemetery, where she was allegedly buried outside the main cemetery due to her profession. While much of her biography remains speculative, Rosa May’s story captures the resilience and contradictions of women navigating the harsh realities of the Wild West. Her legacy endures as a symbol of both the stigmatized “fallen woman” and the enduring allure of the frontier’s untold stories.

Celia Ann Blaylock

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Celia Ann Blaylock
Celia Ann Blaylock

Early Life

Celia Ann Blaylock, known as “Mattie,” was born in January 1850 in Monroe Township, Johnson County, Iowa, to Henry Blaylock and Elizabeth “Betsy” Vance. The third of six children and second daughter, she grew up on a small farm near Fairfax, Iowa, where her strict, fundamentalist parents instilled a religious upbringing. Family accounts describe a disciplined household with little tolerance for frivolity, card playing, or alcohol. Mattie, likely skilled in sewing and domestic tasks, stood about five feet tall with a slight frame. Her childhood was marked by church attendance and community events like picnics and barn dances, but she yearned for adventure beyond the confines of farm life.

At around 16, between March and October 1868, Mattie and her younger sister Sarah ran away from home, rejecting the prospect of arranged marriages and a predictable life as housewives. Seeking freedom, they headed west, likely drawn by the allure of the frontier. By 1871, Mattie appeared in a photograph in Fort Scott, Kansas, marking her presence in the West. Court records indicate she began working as a prostitute in 1872 in Fort Scott, later moving to Dodge City, Kansas, where she adopted the alias “Mattie” to maintain anonymity, though she often used her childhood nickname “Celie” or “Sally” in legal documents.

Relationship with Wyatt Earp

Wyatt Berry Stapp Earp - Aged 39
Wyatt Berry Stapp Earp – Aged 39

Mattie likely met Wyatt Earp around 1873 in Dodge City, Kansas, where he was working as an assistant marshal under Marshal Lawrence Deger starting in May 1876. Earp, a widower after the death of his first wife, Urilla Sutherland, in 1870, was known for his roles as a lawman, gambler, and occasional participant in less reputable activities, including brothel management. Their relationship began after Earp’s time in Wichita, Kansas, and the end of his association with Sally Heckell, who had called herself Sally Earp. Mattie, working as a prostitute, became Earp’s romantic companion and common-law wife, a status recognized by their cohabitation without a formal marriage.

The couple’s early years together were transient. In 1876, Earp and Mattie, along with his brother Morgan, traveled to Deadwood, Dakota Territory, where Earp worked hauling firewood but found no mining opportunities. They returned to Dodge City in 1877, and by September 1879, Earp resigned from the police force. He and Mattie, joined by his brother Jim and Jim’s wife Bessie, traveled to Las Vegas, New Mexico Territory, where they reunited with Doc Holliday and Big Nose Kate. The group moved to Prescott, Arizona, and then to Pinal City, Arizona Territory, for two months in 1879, chasing the silver boom. On December 1, 1879, Wyatt, Mattie, and his brothers Virgil and James, along with their wives, arrived in Tombstone, Arizona, a burgeoning silver mining town.

In Tombstone, the 1880 U.S. Census listed Mattie as Wyatt’s wife, though no legal marriage record exists. They co-signed a mortgage as husband and wife, indicating a committed relationship. Mattie continued working as a prostitute, while Wyatt took on roles as a Wells Fargo shotgun guard and faro dealer at the Oriental Saloon. During this time, Mattie suffered from severe headaches and began using laudanum, a common opiate-based painkiller, which led to her addiction. Her health deteriorated, and tensions in their relationship grew as Wyatt’s attention shifted to Josephine “Sadie” Marcus, an aspiring actress who had recently ended a relationship with Sheriff Johnny Behan. By mid-1881, Wyatt was openly involved with Josephine, and public altercations between Mattie and Josephine became a scandal in Tombstone.

End of Relationship and Life After Wyatt

The exact end of Mattie and Wyatt’s relationship is unclear, but it unraveled after the infamous Gunfight at the O.K. Corral on October 26, 1881, and the assassination of Morgan Earp on March 18, 1882. Following Morgan’s death, Wyatt sent Mattie, along with other Earp family members, to Colton, California, to escort Morgan’s body to the Earp family home. Mattie expected a telegram from Wyatt instructing her to rejoin him, but it never arrived. Instead, Wyatt left Arizona for New Mexico and Colorado in April 1882, pursuing a vendetta against the Cochise County Cowboys he believed responsible for his brother’s death. In late 1882, Wyatt arrived in San Francisco, where he began a lifelong relationship with Josephine Marcus.

Abandoned by Wyatt, Mattie left Colton and returned to Arizona, settling in Globe and later Pinal City, where the silver boom had collapsed. With few prospects, she resumed prostitution to support herself. Her laudanum addiction worsened, compounded by alcohol abuse. Family accounts suggest she may have suffered from abscessed teeth or possibly cancer by the late 1880s, further exacerbating her physical and emotional decline. On July 3, 1888, Mattie died in Pinal City, Arizona, at age 38. The coroner’s report, signed by Dr. Thomas H. Kennaird, listed her cause of death as “supposed suicide by opium poisoning,” likely from a lethal combination of laudanum and alcohol. Some historians speculate it may have been an accidental overdose due to her addiction, but a deathbed statement attributed to Mattie, where she reportedly said, “Wyatt Earp had ruined my life,” supports the suicide narrative.

Legacy and Historical Suppression

Mattie’s story was largely obscured until the 1950s, when researchers John Gilchriese and Frank Waters uncovered a coroner’s report for “Mattie Earp” and her deathbed statement. Josephine Marcus, Wyatt’s final common-law wife, worked diligently to suppress information about Mattie to protect their reputations. Josephine successfully pressured biographer Stuart Lake to omit Mattie from his 1931 book, Wyatt Earp: Frontier Marshal. Mattie’s grave in the Pinal Burial Ground near Superior, Arizona, remained unmarked until 2009, when preservation efforts by the Tonto National Forest and local groups added a marker to honor her.

Mattie Blaylock’s life reflects the harsh realities of the American frontier, where women like her often faced limited choices and societal stigma. Her relationship with Wyatt Earp, marked by companionship and eventual betrayal, ended in tragedy, overshadowed by his later fame and Josephine’s efforts to control his legacy. Today, her story is recognized as a poignant chapter in the history of the Old West.

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