Mattie Silks (Martha Ready):The Notorious Queen of Denver's Red Light District

 

A Picture of Mattie Silks

In the rugged and lawless landscape of the late 19th-century American West,one name stands out among the infamous personalities of the time – Mattie Silks,also known as Martha Ready.Born in 1846 in Fayette County, Pennsylvania,Martha A.Nimon would go on to become a prominent figure in the world of prostitution and brothel operations in the West.Her life was marked by audacity,entrepreneurship,and a series of adventures that continue to captivate imaginations. 

Early Life: 

Martha A.Nimon's early life is shrouded in mystery,but she was born into a farming family,the fifth of five children.The Nimon family relocated to Erie,Indiana,in 1850,but young Martha departed her family home sometime between 1860 and 1865.It is believed that she might have worked as a freighter on wagon trains before embarking on a career in prostitution. 

Enter Mattie Silks: 

Mattie Silks,as she became known,first appeared on the historical radar when she owned a brothel in Springfield, Illinois,in 1865,at the tender age of 19.Her reputation for audacity and entrepreneurship began to take shape as she placed a bold sign on one of her parlor houses,reading, "Men taken in and done for." 

Silks was an intrepid traveler and entrepreneur.She left her mark in Abilene,Texas,and Dodge City,Kansas, as she gained experience in the world of prostitution. However,it was her arrival in Colorado that would make her a legend. 

Life in Denver: 

Mattie Silks made Denver her home and set up a thriving business as a brothel madam.Her arrival in the city was marked by fines for drunkenness in March 1877,showcasing her spirited nature.She purchased her first brothel at 501 Holladay Street (now Market Street) for $13,000,facing fierce competition from rival establishments.Her business acumen helped her stand out,and she soon became one of the most well known lady in the West. 

In August 1877,a legendary duel unfolded between Mattie Silks and another madam,Katie Fulton,in Denver.This duel,stemming from a jealous feud over a lover named Cortez Thomson,became the first recorded duel between two women in Denver's history.Mattie was not only a shrewd businesswoman but also an enigmatic and fiery personality. 

Success and Wealth: 

From 1877 to 1897,Mattie Silks' brothel reigned supreme in Denver,earning her the moniker "Queen of Denver's Red Light District." However,in 1898,a new rival,Madam Jennie Rogers,opened the "House of Mirrors" in Denver and quickly outperformed all competition.In a surprising turn of events,Mattie Silks purchased the House of Mirrors after Jennie Rogers' passing. 

Mattie continued to work as a madam,invested in real estate,and traveled,amassing substantial wealth.Her life was a testament to her resilience and ambition.

Another Picture of Mattie Silks

Married Life: 

Mattie Silks' personal life was as colorful as her professional one. She arrived in Georgetown,Colorado,in 1875,where she met George or Casey Silks.The exact nature of their relationship remains unclear – it's debated whether they were married or lived together as a common-law couple.Allegations of Mattie bearing George's child exist but lack substantiating evidence. 

Cortez Thomson,a well-known foot racer, became a significant figure in Mattie's life while she resided in Georgetown.After a tumultuous relationship,they married in 1884,only four days after Cortez's wife's passing.The marriage was marked by turbulence,with Cortez's moral shortcomings and violent tendencies causing financial and personal strain. Despite severe beatings,Mattie filed for divorce but later withdrew the suit. 

In 1898,Mattie and Cortez toured Great Britain and Alaska.During their Alaskan sojourn,Mattie opened a brothel,reaping substantial profits.Unfortunately,Cortez fell ill and passed away in April 1900. 

Mattie's life took another turn when she married her employee,John Ready,on May 1,1923,marking a shift towards a quieter,retired life. 

Legacy and Death: 

Mattie Silks,or Martha Ready,passed away in 1929 due to complications from a fall.Her funeral was attended by very few,a stark contrast to her lively and audacious existence.She was laid to rest beside her longtime lover,Cortez Thomson,in Fairmount Cemetery in Denver. 

In her lifetime,Mattie accumulated $4,000 in real estate and $2,500 in jewels,a testament to her extraordinary journey from a mysterious upbringing to becoming the "Queen of Denver's Red Light District." 

In the annals of Wild West history,Mattie Silks remains an enduring figure,symbolizing the audacity and entrepreneurial spirit of a bygone era.Her life's story continues to fascinate those curious about the unconventional and daring women of the American West. 

Mattie Silks,born Martha A. Nimon,carved a unique path in the rough and lawless landscape of the American West.Her journey from an enigmatic upbringing to becoming a legendary madam is a testament to her audacity,resilience,and unyielding spirit.The tale of Mattie Silks,the "Queen of Denver's Red Light District," lives on as a captivating chapter in the history of the Wild West. 

By:FindYourBio Team.