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Friday, December 24, 2021

Rosa May

Rosa Elizabeth White (January 1855 – 1911/1912), known as Rosa May was a prostitute during the late 19th century and very early 20th century who lived in the Virginia City, Nevada and Bodie, California areas. A local legend states that she selflessly nursed sick miners during an epidemic and succumbed to the illness herself. Because of this she has been referred to as the "hooker with a heart of gold". 

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If you ever get a chance to read the book by Mr Williams mentioned near the bottom at the link, do so. His research is immaculate and he gives great insight into the seamier side of life in mining camps without being crude.
I had seen the marker for Rosa May outside of the Bodie cemetery on my first trip there and it got my curiosity up, so later in the day when I was in the museum and saw the book, I bought it. That book, along with Roger McGrath's Gunfighters, Highwaymen, and Vigilantes, is what really got me interested in mining camp history, a subject that still fascinates me to this day.
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6 comments:

  1. Bright EyesDecember 24, 2021 at 6:44 AM

    I love Whores. They have saved more marriages than any counselors that's for sure. I've had more than a few get me outta bad situations too. Some of the gals I grew up with grew up rough. They turned to the trade and they are dear friends of mine.

    A Nam Story. A guy told me he approached a whore in Saigon. She pointed at her crotch and said boo coo nummer ten GI. She was on the rag. He said that's ok let me buy you a drink anyway. A bit later she came over and grabbed him by the arm and said, You come with me GI. He went out back and no sooner stepped out the door and a suicide boomer lit up the bar. That ol whore saved his life.

    ReplyDelete
  2. ElmoDecember 24, 2021 at 7:09 AM

    Rosa May wasn't half bad looking.
    http://womenwentwent.blogspot.com/2016/07/rosa-elizabeth-white-rosa-may.html

    Seems like a lot of the soiled doves of the day were downright unpleasant to look at.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. wirecutterDecember 24, 2021 at 7:39 AM

      A very pretty young lady in the photo, but I've seen a picture of her in her later years and she was looking pretty rough. Understandable with the life she led.

      Delete
    2. PipDecember 24, 2021 at 1:44 PM

      Ken are you familiar with the YT channel Ghost Town Living?
      https://m.youtube.com/c/GhostTownLiving
      He purchased the mining town Cerro Gordo and is attempting to restore it for "adventure tourism."

      Delete
    3. wirecutterDecember 24, 2021 at 1:53 PM

      Pip, I am!

      Delete
    4. PipDecember 24, 2021 at 3:38 PM

      Cool! I would be overwhelmed with a project this size but he seems to be making a go of it with the help of tubers and patreon. More power to him. One day who knows, I might show up on the doorstep to his b&b.

      Delete

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