Y'all probably know this................

[Bob Wright]

The John Wayne movie The Sons of Katie Elder is bouncing around various TV channels of late. Ever hear of Kate Elder?

She was born Katherine Mahroney in Hungary and came to the US with her family around 1860 or so. She was also know as Kate Cummings and................

Big Nose Kate, friend, paramour, and bedside companion to Doc Holiday. She was, by profession, a "sporting lady" in various towns, St. Louis, Dodge City, and Tombstone.

She reported gave her friend Doc a Colt Navy revolver, nickel plated and engraved.

Bob Wright

 

[Wyandot Jim]

Yep, Maybe the Duke should have picked a better person's name for the movie. But it is still just a movie that has no connection to the real world :D

 

[mohavesam]

I doubt "the duke" had any choice in the name of the movie. In the 60s historical accuracy in movies such as that was just not a primary focus.

Although portrayed and referenced in many stories and movies, 'The Sons of Katie Elder' took great latitude with history and any reference to the true nature of the whore she was for decades.

FWIW: Big Nose Kate was a known prostitute who kept two (no waiting) rooms above the Palace Saloon in Prescott. She is buried as "Mary K. Cummings" in the Arizona Pioneer Home Cemetery in Prescott. Incidentally, one traveling to Prescott can belly up to the same bar that Virgil and Doc leaned on at the Palace.

 

[Bob Wright]

I'm well aware there was no historical accuracy, nor was any likely inferred. But in many of the Duke's movies, names of historical characters frequently pop up as character names in the movie, though no historical intent is there. Just one of those things movie makers slide in on folks.


Bob Wright

 

[gramps]

After school when I was 14 or 15 one blustery day, I hitch hiked to Green Briar Mall in Atlanta, Ga to see that movie. As I was hitch hiking home an Ford Econoline stopped to pick me up :oops: It was my father! It seems my mother called home multiple times-no answer, then she called dad! I was in TROUBLE for not being where I was supposed to be. I loved the movie! It was worth the trouble. I loved the sword play!
gramps

 

[Fox Mike]

It was worth the trouble. I loved the sword play! gramps

It has been a while since I have seen that movie, but, I cannot remember seeing any sword-play. Refresh my memory please.

 

[Bob Wright]

After school when I was 14 or 15 one blustery day, I hitch hiked to Green Briar Mall in Atlanta, Ga to see that movie. As I was hitch hiking home an Ford Econoline stopped to pick me up :oops: It was my father! It seems my mother called home multiple times-no answer, then she called dad! I was in TROUBLE for not being where I was supposed to be. I loved the movie! It was worth the trouble. I loved the sword play!
gramps

Sword play?


Bob Wright

 

[SAJohn]

Central Oregon also had a soiled dove named Klondike Kate. Google her for hints about a smart and attractive lady who did a lot of good in her life. She was the definition of a prostitute with a golden heart.

 

[Colonialgirl]

Incidentally, one traveling to Prescott can belly up to the same bar that Virgil and Doc leaned on at the Palace.

Is That the one that got carried across the street to the Court House Square when Prescott had their big fire many many years ago? I understand they kept serving drinks while watching the flames.

 

[mohavesam]

Correct. The piano, bar and backbar were saved, and predate the building. The fire leveled a couple blocks in 1900.

 

[Rancher Will]

Most people need to earn a living. As an LEO for decades in Colorado, where prostitution is not illegal, (only solicitation for prostitution is illegal), I have known a number of ladies in the business (officially, not personally). Most give the police no trouble.

Having worked as Undersheriff and Chief of Police in a college town, plus police detective in a second college town, one of most common complaints I've heard from "ladies of the evening" is, "it's hard to make a living with all the college girls giving it away free". "Can't you do something about it"? My answer has always been, "unfortunately, no".

In my years in the USAF, as a Military Police NCO, part of our duty was regular checking the prostitution situation in the areas of the military bases. We monthly checked the current health records, and investigated any complaint from any GI related to theft, fraud, violence, etc.

 

[Colonialgirl]

Funniest thing while stationed in Korea was watching the drunks stagger back on to the post and immediately head for the Bulletin Board to check the list of "Business Girls" with Social Diseases to see if their "date" for that evening was on it !

 

[Goldstar225]

Funniest thing while stationed in Korea was watching the drunks stagger back on to the post and immediately head for the Bulletin Board to check the list of "Business Girls" with Social Diseases to see if their "date" for that evening was on it !

Kinda like closing the barn door after the horse got out wasn't it? :lol: