ATM_Marshall-Trimble-Logo-with-background

Susan Mims
Barnesville, Georgia

Women worked the saloons, dancing or serving drinks or luring male customers upstairs. But female owners or part owners were rare.

I do know of one, Matilda Bignon, or Big Minnie, as she was known. Standing six feet tall and weighing 230 pounds, she cut quite a figure in her tights. She and her husband, Joe, owned the Bird Cage Theatre in Tombstone, Arizona, during the 1880s. She acted as host, appeared on stage and also worked as the bouncer.

Born in England on March 31, 1852, she died on August 4, 1900, and was buried in Pearce, Arizona. Her stone features the gates of Heaven opening to greet her. Wishful thinking?

If you have a question, write: Ask the Marshall, P.O. Box 8008, Cave Creek, AZ 85327 or e-mail him at marshall.trimble@scottsdalecc.edu

Related Articles

  • “I felt a secret joy to have the power that set things straight.” Anonymous Women performed a…

  • marshall trimble ask the marshall true west magazine

    Did frontier saloons serve cold beer? Sandy Davis St. Paul, Minnesota Ice making machines began…

  • marshall trimble ask the marshall true west magazine

    Did frontier women own property during the Old West era? Patrick Powell Boston, Massachusetts Yes,…