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Views: 558 Created: 2021.02.24 Updated: 2021.02.24

Pennslyvania Rose

Chapter 2

As we worked our way to Omaha, I began to see subtle changes in Sal. She was rapidly maturing. She had shot up in height to two hands taller than I. Her body had become very curvaceous; an asset that she would learn to use over the years. With Sal's size and knowledge we were able to be quite helpful on farms along out trek. What I originally thought would be a 3 month journey, took longer. Several farmers took us in and it wasn't until March until we reached Omaha. There we were greeted with disappointment. Finding a wagon master, we inquired about the opportunity of joining his train.

'Have ye parents?'

''No sir.''

'A husband?'

''No sir.''

'Have ye a man to protect ye and provide for ye?'

''No sir.''

'I shan't be having a loose woman and a child on me train, now off with ye.'

Crestfallen we now had to look for other opportunities. Trying to find a suitable male to marry was impossible for me at that time. Try to see yourself marrying your little sister, less the pigtails. That was me; a thin, flat chested girl. Now Sal might have been able to find a man, but she did not want to split us up. So you ask, ''What did we do now?''

We went back to what we knew, and a little bit more. I found a job at a mercantile, sweeping floors. We both found jobs serving drinks in various saloons. Most of the money we made we saved. And we saved a lot. Our main income flow came on our knees and backs. When opportunity arose, we rolled a drunk or two. Slowly our nest egg grew.

Our horizonal antics did not go entirely unnoticed. It seems we were cutting in on the action of one of the local bordello's. One evening while walking on Dodge Street we were approached by a woman whom we would come to know as Red River Nell.

Nell was game fully employed at Anna Wilsons Sporting House, located at 915 Douglas Street. Our conversation went as such, ''girls, my name is Nell, you have been under observation for a while. If you done know it, 'Cowboy' Jim Dahlman is the mayor of Omaha, as well as the controller of 'our' trade here. I am here to invite you so come work for Anna.''

I looked at Sal, seeing her slight nod I turned to Nell, ''We thank you for the offer, but we will decline.''

''This is not an offer. Girls without protection have been known to disappear. You are both young and attractive, don't throw that away.''

''What are working conditions like?''

''Life is good, there are so many girls that you can be selective of whom you see and how many clients you entertain each week. However you will be expected to see 6 clients per week. You will be allowed to live where you do currently and continue your jobs. Now you have a safe place to bring clients and meet your weekly goals.''

We discussed the situation and knew it was accept or leave town fast. So we accepted. Our introduction to Anna went smoothly and we toured the house. This would be a much more comfortable and safer work environment. Our income would be lower due to the house's percentage. Working for Anna and with Nell opened our eyes to the number of establishments operating in Omaha. Ours rooms were clean and Anna permitted no harm to befall her girls. It was just straight sex, extra for French. This became life’s routine for Sal and I. We both became quite popular and that drove our rate up. By limiting our number of engagements, we were able to drive our price way up. Up past the point where we made more money for ourselves than we had before working foe Anna.

For 18 months we continued this routine. In our minds our hopes of finding a husband were growing fainter. The men we met were married, and the men we wanted, young, good looking, couldn’t afford us. Then out of the blue Nell approached us with a new offer.

''Rose, Sal I think I have a new opportunity for us. Ada and Minna Everleigh and selling out and moving to Chicago. I propose we enter into a partnership and purchase their brothel.''

''Where is it located? What do we know about running a sporting house? Where will we find girls? Will we be able to take our clients with us?''

''Easy Rose. You are obviously interested. Ada and Minna Everleigh's brothel is located at 12th and Jackson. I recruited you two, so finding girls will be easy. We will set the rules, our clients will follow. If not, there are a lot of men in Omaha looking for a pretty face.''

''Can Sal and I talk it over?''

We did, and three days later we agreed to join Nell in this venture. We met with a lawyer, then with Cowboy Jim Dahlman. Once we had their approval we approached Ada and Minna Everleigh and made our offer. It took several days until the deal was closed. We found ourselves the proud owners of two brothers, one at 12th and Jackson and the other in the vicinity of the Kountze Park.

We spent the next few days observing the staff, making some minor changes and began to enjoy our new status level in Omaha. Sal and I hired a dress maker and put her to work. First it was some gowns for us. It quickly expanded into clothes for the girls. Years later she would make costumes for us in Denver. But thats for another chapter.