Sunday, July 17, 2016

Ella Hill

According to the autobiography of Judge James D. Hamlin, in the 1890s Ella Hill had a reputation for impeccable honesty in the management of her Amarillo, Texas brothel and dance hall. High-rolling cowmen for miles around knew their lives, money and reputation were secure there, and expected that, if drunk, they would be fed, cared for, sobered up and sent home with their possessions and remaining money intact. She contributed money to a local church and required her girls to dress up and go to special Sunday afternoon services.

Ella eventually retired to run a laundry service in Wichita, Kansas, employing only former prostitutes. In the meantime, she had successfully raised two daughters, boarded with a worthy family in Fort Worth, who never knew of her days as a soiled dove.

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