In a recent book review in the Denver Post, author, journalist, and history writer, Sandra Dallas, said, “Do we really need another book on the West’s historic hookers? Oh well, why not?” This comment was in reference to a new title by Jan MacKell, Red Light Women of the Rocky Mountains. I have not yet read it, but am bound to do so. After all, if Sandra Dallas recommends it, that is good enough for me. Perhaps I will give The Chili Queen by Sandra Dallas another read while I’m at it. Her mystery involving a madam is engrossing, intriguing and solidly entertaining.
The small town of Lusk, Wyoming appeared on my personal radar twice recently. Once, it was mentioned in a food review, in which the reporter wrote a poetic little piece about a retro burger and shake joint in Lusk, for those who do not consider calories among their enemies. The other reference to Lusk was in a book I read recently, Frontier Madam, The Life of Dell Burke, Lady of Lusk, by June Willson Read. This well-researched biography is the story of an enterprising woman who started a brothel called the Yellow Hotel in 1919. When Ms. Burke died in 1981 at the age of ninety-three, her estate was worth over $1 million dollars. By all accounts, she ran a clean and reputable business, donating money back to the community when she could. Enterprising, indeed!
One of my favorite resource books on this shady subject is Hell’s Belle’s by Clark Secrest, about the seamy, steamy side of life in historic Denver. In 1997, I was fortunate to hear the author speak about this topic at the Colorado Historical Society. His research relied heavily on fascinating, tidy scrapbooks kept by detective Sam Howe. Secrest displayed samples from the scrapbooks that evening. His presentation had profound impact and inspiration on my own research methods for writing biographies.
Another great resource is Sherry Monahan’s Wicked West. Her knowledge of mixology, potions, and card games is invaluable to those who wish to make sense of such details. To find more great titles by talented writers on western and other subjects, check the Women Writing the West web site at: http://www.womenwritingthewest.org. Many books listed there make darn good summer reading about the Old West’s history and upstanding citizens, as well as its shadowy corners and dark underbelly. After all, why not?
Joyce B. Lohse, 7/26/2009
For more about Books by Joyce:
Read or make comments for this article
I've actually spent many hours in Lusk doing real-estate appraisals. It would be terrific if you would give us a schedule of your events so people like myself can attend!