Betwixt The Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society Inside a Wild West Brothel
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.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Frontier Conditions Drove Demand
- The frontier era followed post-Civil War migration driven by 'manifest destiny' and settlement beyond the Missouri River.
- Single men, military forts, and railroad termini created the demographic and economic conditions that enabled frontier sex work.
Limited Work Options Shaped Choices
- Jobs for women on the frontier were extremely limited, often leaving laundry or sex work as primary options.
- Sex work offered a route to financial independence unavailable within traditional marriage constraints.
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.
