Until the early twentieth century, madams predominately ran the brothels, after which male pimps took over and the treatment of the women generally declined. This caused her previous madam to punch Bessie's new madam, which was retaliated with a gunshot wound to the groin. Madams also had to deal with internal disputes, such as when Bessie Colvin, a prostitute from El Paso, Texas, caused a stir when in 1886 left one house of prostitution for another.

They did so by contributing money to charitable organizations, schools, and churches.

Prostitute Laura Bullion even became a member of the Wild Bunch gang - supporting them by stealing stolen goods during their train robberies.īeing a Madam required a great deal of skill because as well as monitoring the cleanliness of the brothel and providing training, cosmetics and clothes, they has to keep their business transactions discreet and stay on the good side of the law.

Maps and population data from the time showed there were up to 20 per cent more men than women in many fringe areas of the west where brothels flourished

Images of the old west