Laura Bell McDaniel and Blanche Burton were two Madams in the area now know as Old Colorado City. Both were determined to make their way in the world. Not only were they successful, they were also philanthropic. Their final resting place is Fairview Cemetery near the area they made their mark. Here is your chance to hear about these women in their own words.
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What brought you to your current avocation- in other words how did you become a madam?
Laura Bell - I wanted nice things. I wasn't going to get them as a shopgirl or seamstress.
How about you Blanche? As a divorced woman of the 1880's it was difficult to procure employment above that of a maid. Being Irish made it that much more difficult. So I decided to become an entrepreneur and work for myself
Are you married or were you ever married?
Laura Bell - Married twice. I married Samual Dale when I was 20 because he wanted to travel. When I wanted to settle down in Colorado, he moved on after I had my daughter Pearl. I then married John Thomas "Tom" McDaniel in Colorado. He left after some trouble there.
Blanche - yes-but divorced
Do your employees' like working for you?
Blanche - yes-but divorced
Do your employees' like working for you?
Laura Bell - I only employed the top of the line young women. I took good care of them and saw that they had nice things and were well cared for. They enjoyed the house.
If you could give young people any advice, what would it be?
If you could give young people any advice, what would it be?
Laura Bell - Don't become who the world thinks you should become. Become who you know you are.
Blanche - Education is the surest step out of poverty. An education will allow you to make your own choices and not be subjected to the choices you are limited to without an education.
Final question- what about this character do you love and why?
Blanche - Education is the surest step out of poverty. An education will allow you to make your own choices and not be subjected to the choices you are limited to without an education.
Final question- what about this character do you love and why?
Diana - Laura Bell was a strong woman who knew her mind and what she wanted in life. She went after it and obtained all of the things she wanted on her own terms.
Dianne - Who would not love the first madam of Cripple Creek. Blanche in her later years helped out the less fortunate. She did it not for show, but because she felt it was the neighborly thing to do.
To learn more about these Colorado City Heart of Gold Madams join them at the Historic Chapel in Evergreen Cemetery in Colorado Springs on Thursday August 28, 2014 at 6pm in honor of Fairview Cemetery. For directions and more information contact: evergreencemeterysociety@yahoo.com
Historic Chapel, Evergreen Cemetery
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