Idaho Madams by Milana Marsenich - Cover Art

Now Available from
FARCOUNTRY PRESS

Idaho Madams

Fur, silver, and gold first lured men to Idaho Territory. Women soon followed. And what women they were!

Molly B’Damn, Peg Leg Annie, Spanish Belle, Lou Beevers, Diamond Tooth Lil—the names alone promised excitement and intrigue.

In fact, these madams led complex, turbulent lives. Meet Maggie Hall, a devout Catholic whose husband used her to pay off his gambling debts. Working as a prostitute, Maggie made her way west and, as Molly B’Damn, became the guardian angel of an Idaho mining camp. Or Annie McIntyre, a young girl among the prospectors and ne’er do wells of Rocky Bar who amassed a small fortune as the local madam only to lose it all—along with both her legs.

Idaho Madams uncovers the enigmatic and salacious lives of 30 women who ran brothels in the Gem State from the 1850s to the 1980s. Here are the hedonistic and sometimes heroic exploits of Effie Rogan, Jennie Girard, Nettie Bowen, Ginger Murphy, Dixie Colton, and Dot Allen, but also the unsung sagas of Carrie Young, Grace Freeman, Willow Herman, Hattie Carlton, and many more. As told by author Milana Marsenich, the stories of these women come alive with voluptuous detail, historical photographs, and the social context of the times.

“”Idaho Madams” is a triumph of historical storytelling. Milana Marsenich has masterfully woven tales that are at once poignant, enlightening, and deeply human. For those who believe that history is not just about events but the people who shape them, this book is an essential read. Whether you’re drawn to the allure of the Wild West, intrigued by the challenges faced by women of the past, or simply in search of a beautifully written book, “Idaho Madams” promises to be a memorable journey.”

READ FULL REVIEW

 

Book details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Farcountry Press (March 8, 2023)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 160 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 156037750X
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1560377504
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 7.1 ounces

Pin It on Pinterest