Dora DuFran

Madam Dora DuFran or Dora Bolshaw (née Amy Helen Dorthea Bolshaw; November 16, 1868 – August 5, 1934) was one of the leading and most successful madams in the Old West days of Deadwood, South Dakota.

Childhood DuFran was born in Liverpool, England and emigrated to the United States with her parents Joseph John (1842–1911) and Isabella Neal (Cummings) Bolshaw (1844–1911) sometime around 1869. The family settled first at Bloomfield, New Jersey, then moved to Lincoln, Nebraska in 1876 or 1877. She was an extremely good looking girl in her youth, and became involved in prostitution around the age of 13 or 14. She then became a dance hall girl, calling herself Amy Helen Bolshaw. She is documented as still living in Lincoln, Nebraska, in 1883, employed as a domestic servant. Dora also owned The Green Front Hotel.

DuFran's other brothels in South Dakota and Montana were located in Lead, Miles City, Sturgis, and Deadwood. While in Deadwood, Dora got married and continued her brothel operations. After her husband's death, she moved the business to Rapid City, South Dakota, where she continued having success as a brothel owner. In 1981, this booklet was reprinted in an expanded 47-page version, edited by Helen Rezatto.

In popular culture DuFran is often credited with coining the term "cathouse", but evidence indicates that the term was in use before she began her career.

Dora DuFran is featured in Larry McMurtry's book about Calamity Jane, titled Buffalo Girls: A Novel (1990). In the TV movie Buffalo Girls (1995), based on McMurtry's book, Dora DuFran is played by Melanie Griffith.

In the TV series Deadwood and Deadwood: The Movie, the character of Joanie Stubbs is loosely based on Dora DuFran. Stubbs is played by actress Kim Dickens.