Where Did the Term "Cat House" Come From?

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Dora Dufran (1868 - 1909) got into the soiled dove(prostitution) business at age 13. She quickly learned how to work her feminine charm and beauty to her advantage. She was ambitious and earned top dollar. She wanted to be the top madam in the area(Deadwood, South Dakota), and her husband, Joe Dufran, supported her dream. She opened several brothels, with strict rules and pretty doves her business thrived. She demanded good hygiene and that the girls dressed well. She would rotate the girls between her brothels. She had one weakness-- She loved cats. Each of her brothels had collections(clowders) of cats that she lovingly fed and took care of. Because of her the term "cat house" became synonymous with brothels. She was born Amy Helen Bolshaw. She died in 1934 of heart failure. Her pet parrot and husband Joseph are buried together at Mount Moriah Cemetery in Deadwood.