Madam Dora DuFran or Dora Bolshaw (née Amy Helen Bolshaw; November 16, 1868 – August 5, 1934) was one of the leading and most successful madams in the Old West days of Deadwood, South Dakota.
DuFran was born in Liverpool, England and emigrated to the United States with her parents Joseph John (November 14, 1842 - March 26, 1911) and Isabella Neal (Cummings) Bolshaw (November 12, 1844 - April 12, 1911) sometime around 1869. The family settled first at Bloomfield, New Jersey, then moved to Lincoln, Nebraska in 1876 or 1877. She was an extremely good looking woman in her youth, and became involved in prostitution around the age of 13 or 14. She then became a dance hall girl, calling herself Amy Helen Bolshaw. The gold rush hit Deadwood, South Dakota when she was around 15, and Dora promoted herself to Madam and began operating a brothel.
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Cummings probably from the name Comyn. An old Scot Clan. Comyn the Red possibly killed by Robert the Bruce in the 1300's. Both wanted to be King of Scotland. Robert was crowned. After that the Comyn Clan scattered to New Zealand, Australia and other lands. Then later on North America. I know, nothing to do with the article, I just like history. However if she had Comyn blood she was probably fiesty and full of fire.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was young and had no sense
ReplyDeleteIn far-off Mandalay
I lost my heart to a Burmese girl
As lovely as the day.
Her skin was gold, her hair was jet,
Her teeth were ivory;
I said, "for twenty silver pieces,
Maiden, sleep with me".
She looked at me, so pure, so sad,
The loveliest thing alive,
And in her lisping, virgin voice,
Stood out for twenty-five.
- George Orwell