Betwixt The Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society Inside a Wild West Brothel
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Oct 14, 2025 Hollie Marquess, a historian at Fort Hays State University, explores the lives of sex workers in the Wild West. She delves into the motivations that brought women to frontier towns, including economic necessity and independence. Hollie also shares insights from her research, revealing the harsh living conditions and health risks these women faced. The conversation highlights their complex roles in society, legal battles, and the community's perception, while addressing the tragic realities of substance abuse and violence in their lives.
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The Life Of Nettie Baldwin
- Hollie traces sex worker Nettie Baldwin across multiple towns using census and court records.
- Nettie survived a gunshot, faced frequent court appearances, and ultimately vanishes from the record after Hayes.
A Spectrum Of Sex Work
- Frontier sex work varied from high-end brothels to dance halls, cribs, and street work with vastly different conditions.
- Many workers shifted among types depending on money, safety, and opportunity.
Health Risks Were Severe And Routine
- Frontier sex workers faced chronic hygiene issues, venereal disease risk, and rudimentary disease prevention methods like douching.
- They used dangerous abortifacients and laudanum, risking poisoning and long-term harm.
