Josie Arlington

Josie Arlington (1864 – February 14, 1914) was a brothel madam in the Storyville district of New Orleans, Louisiana. Arlington started her life as a prostitute at 17–18 years old as a means to support her family. Although shrewd, Arlington was known to be short-tempered and violent. She began working as a prostitute in 1881, supporting her family on her earnings, and opened a brothel at 172 Customhouse Street prior to the murder of her brother Peter Deubler in November 1890.

At that point, Miss Mary Deubler was also using the surname of Mrs. Phillip Lobrano for professional purposes. She had been with Lobrano since the age of 16 when he had offered her protection. Mr. Lobrano and Peter Deubler had a drunken verbal altercation, and Peter had followed Lobrano from a bar to the Custom street premises. While the witness accounts were disputed for years, Phillip Lobrano claimed that he shot Peter Deubler in the face in front of his sister Josie in self-defense. Peter died December 9, 1890, ten days after being shot. On March 31, 1892, Phillip Lobrano was acquitted after a second trial. In the meantime Josie had cut all business and romantic dealings with Lobrano, and had sought to become more respectable.

The establishment, formally named Chateau Lobrano d'Arlington but locally known as The Arlington, was known for its opulence. As an expensive "$5.00 House", it offered about ten or twelve girls at any time, as well as a live sex 'circus' that could be viewed for an extra fee. Though it had a reputation for depravity, Josie claimed that no virgin was ever defiled or exploited by her business. The mausoleum quickly became a tourist attraction, which left Arlington's family mortified.