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Eleanor Dumont (born Simone Jules; c. 1829–1879), also called Eleonore Alphonsine Dumant, was a notorious gambler on the American Western Frontier, especially during the California Gold Rush. She was also known by her nickname Madame Moustache due to the appearance of a line of dark hair on her upper lip.
Eleanor Dumont | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | c. 1829 France or New Orleans, Louisiana, US |
| Died | 1879 (aged 49-50) Bodie, California, US |
| Other names | Madame Moustache, Simone Jules |
| Occupation | Gambler |
Life
editThe background of Eleanor Dumont is unconfirmed. She arrived at Nevada City from California in 1854. At this point, she appeared to be 20 years old, had taken on the name Eleanor Dumont, and capitalized on the fascination for French women prevalent in the West. In reality, however, she was likely born as Simone Jules in 1829, possibly by French Creole parents in New Orleans.[1]
Gambling
editIn Nevada City, California, Dumont opened a gambling parlor named Vingt-et-un on Broad Street. She was described as an accomplished card dealer, and made a living from twenty-one and other casino games. Only well-kept men were allowed in, and no women except for herself. Reportedly, men admired her for her beauty and charm, but she kept them all at a distance. She flirted, but only to attract customers. Men came from all around to see the rarity of "the woman dealer". The parlor was successful, and Dumont went into business with Dave Tobin, an experienced gambler. They opened Dumont's Place, which was successful until gold started to dry up in Nevada City, and in 1859, she sold the Dumont Gambling Palace and left Tobin and Nevada City.[2]
Moving from place to place, she was reported to work in Bodie, California; Deadwood, South Dakota; Fort Benton, Montana; Pioche, Nevada; Tombstone, Arizona; and San Francisco, California. She moved around from city to city, gambling and building her money again.[3] During her time in Bannack, her famous moustache began to grow, after which she was given the nickname of "Madame Moustache". She continued to attract crowds as a gambler and had a long-standing reputation for dealing fair.
Brothel madam
editDumont added prostitution to her repertoire during the 1860s when she became the madam of a brothel. She kept brothels in many of the cities she visited as a gambler. To promote her business, she paraded her employees around town in carriages, showing off their beauty in broad daylight, much to the dislike of non-prostitute women.
In 1870, she bought a ranch and some animals in Carson City. It was there that she fell in love with Jack McKnight, who conned her out of all of her money and left her in 1872.
Death
editDumont's last stop was Bodie, California. One night while gambling, she misjudged a play and suddenly owed a lot of money. That night, she wandered outside of town and was found dead on September 8, 1879 of an overdose of morphine, apparently a suicide.[4]
References
edit- ^ Jensen, Vickie (2011). Women Criminals: An Encyclopedia of People and Issues. Santa Barbara: ABC-Clio. p. 387. ISBN 9780313068263.
- ^ Rutter, Michael (2005). Upstairs Girls: Prostitution in the American West. Helena, Montana: Farcounty Press. p. 199. ISBN 9781560373575.
- ^ Alexandra, Rae (January 25, 2022) [January 25, 2022]. "The Pistol-Packing Gold Rush Gambler Who Beat Men at Their Own Game | KQED". www.kqed.org. Archived from the original on December 5, 2022. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
- ^ "Eleanore Dumont – Madame Mustache Plays to the West – Legends of America". Bodie Morning News. September 9, 1879. Retrieved May 8, 2022.
External links
edit- Piatt, Michael H. (March 2009). "The Death of Madame Mustache: Bodie's Most Celebrated Inhabitant". Retrieved January 4, 2011.
- Weiser, Kathy (January 2011). "Eleanore Dumont - Madame Mustache Plays to the West". Retrieved March 21, 2012.