Did She or Didn't She?
True West|June 2019

Deadwood’s Dora DuFran is credited with coining the word “cathouse.”

Jan Mackell Collins
Did She or Didn't She?

The people who knew her, and the historians s who love her, consider Madam Dora DuFran one of the most lucrative businesswomen in South Dakota . Her legendary brothels in Deadwood , Belle Fourche and Rapid City made the lady famous. But was the enigmatic madam really the first painted lady to utter the word “cathouse,” known today as a reference to a brothel?

This story is from the June 2019 edition of True West.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the June 2019 edition of True West.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM TRUE WESTView All