Pistol Packin' Madams: True Stories of Notorious Women of the Old West

by Chris Enss

Between 1840 and 1870, hundreds of thousands of enthusiastic dreamers embarked on a 2,000-mile journey into the wide-open frontier of the United States in search of free land, gold, adventure, and a better life. Although only a few women were numbered among the very first pioneers, those who did take the risk changed the face of the United States forever. The western woman left the restrictions and conventions of her way of life behind and carried the struggle of emancipation into areas sacred to the male. She competed in business and politics, bronco busting, smoking, drinking, gambling, and gun-toting. This book celebrates the stories of the nonconforming, gun-toting pioneers who settled the West.

Genres: History, Westerns, Nonfiction

112 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Macy White · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short book filled with well-researched vignettes of bordello owning women of the west. A great way to get a quick overview of some of the more industrious women of this period and how they managed their businesses, and what their lives were like. This might be a good book to use as a starting point for research or to satisfy casual interest in the subject.

Enss mentions how prostitution was one of the only available professions for women on the frontier and that for some it created independence. However, these ladies still existed in what was (and still is) considered the "underworld" and a career in this world wasn't without its risks and dangers.

Enss also provides a narrative style to the portrayals of these women, so that the writing doesn't feel weighted with textbook-like language and over-exposition.

Persons with Segments in the Book:

Jennie Rogers
Eleanora Dumont
Madam Harriet
Jessie Hayman
Jessie Reeves & Cad Thompson
Josie Washburn
Kate Horony
Mattie Silks
Florence Mabel Dedrick
Tessie Wall
Libby Thompson
Rose Ellis

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great little book I read in one day while on vacation. My goodness what a hard life they lived in the Old West! I appreciated how the author brought to light how these ladies didn't wake up one morning and say "I want to run a House of Prostitution". Many fell into the occupation due to desperation and near starvation, usually due to husbands dying and leaving them nothing, husbands walking out and never to be hear of again, parents dying and leaving them nothing, etc. I'm grateful the author was very honest about how politics has played a double-faced role over the years. I also appreciated the chapter about Sister Florence, who chided "good people" who looked down on the Ladies of the Evening and not taking responsibility for helping. "... went from door to door to find ... Tired, discouraged, only one door open, and that is the brothel door from whence she once came." What this book covers is not a pretty part of our country's history, but it is the truth. Although I don't condone their occupation, I do admire that they persevered despite circumstances.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A surface introduction for readers who lack a background in the subject.

[elliana · Rating 5 out of 5]

entering my anti-western, neo-western era

[Melanti · Rating 1 out of 5]

Call me crazy, but I don't feel that any book having "true stories of..." as part of its title has any business using a FICTIONAL book as one of its sources of information.

I've been doing research on Mattie Silks recently, so picked this up mostly to read her chapter. That chapter had tons of information that I hadn't even seen mentioned in other sources, so I checked the bibliography and found the novel about her as well as several other non-fiction titles cited.

I'm sure the book is entertaining but if Enss is so sloppy as to cite fiction as a general reference and not cite what bits came from what source, I'm not interested in the book, since I won't know what I can believe and what I can't.

[Shanae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very short, very entertaining read showing snapshots of the lives of the Wild West most infamous fallen ladies. An unfortunate profession where women could be the boss. Leading to abuse, depression and suicide- they were slaves of a different kind. but they lived storied, exuberant and sometimes luxurious lives. Well researched. Also, the amount of names given to prostitutes is worth the read in and of itself.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bought it in the airport when our flight was canceled. Kept me entertained!

[Nate]

Read as some research for a television pilot set in the old west. Really cool women and it gave me a good idea of the world.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

An entertaining little piece about famous madams in the old west. This nonfiction work reads like fiction. Well researched with a great bibliography at the end. An informative and fun little book.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun and occasionally outrageously.