Madame Mille

A special website of the Silver City - Grant County Chamber of Commerce.

Grant County is in the sunny southwest corner of New Mexico.

A large map of the county, showing points of interest, roads and features of the county, is available here.

Upcoming Events in Grant County

Desert West Auction
November 22 to November 23
Desert West Live Auction is an online and live auction facililty located at Mimbres, New Mexico. You can come out and be part of the live auction or participate via Internet in the comfort of your home. Location: 3870 N. Highway 35, Mimbres NM Phone: 575-536-9353

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A Story of the Richest Indian Book Signing
November 22, 10:00 am
A Story of the Richest Indian Book Signing 10:00 -11:30 am on Nov 22, 2008 Finder's will sign his third book "A Story of the Richest Indian" on Saturday, November 22, 2008, between 10:00 -11:30 am in the Large Meeting Room at the Silver City Public Library. Jodey Bateman will read the Spanish language version of the story. A Story of the Richest Indian relates the taley of a beautiful old woman named Running Through Flowers who embodies the spirit of giving in her community. Artist, linguist, and historian Jodey Bateman translated the text and illustrated the storybook. Finder is a book writing, poetry writing, tale telling, crystal mining and crystal jewelry, wand and dreamcatcher making renaissance kind of guy. Online texts of his stories and poetry are available at http://motherbird.com/indexfndr.htm Visit www.motherbird.com or call S. Breeze at 575-538-0414 with any questions regarding the book signing event. Admission: FREE Event Date: November 22, 2008 Event Time:10 am Event Place: SC Library Large Meeting Room Contact Phone: 575-538-0414 Location: Silver City Public Library (575) 538-3672 515 W College Ave Silver City, NM 88061 Directions: Library is located at the intersection of College Avenue and Cooper Street . If you are driving south on NM-90 go to College Avenue turn (east) right onto College Avenue. Presented by: Motherbird Publishing [additional information posted at myspace.com/finderbooks} Location: Silver City Public Library Phone: 575-538-0414

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Wally Lawder performance
November 22, 1:00 pm
1 - 3pm Come on out to Bayard for a great Wally Lawder performance! bring your friends and make new ones plus enjoy some good brewed coffee! Location: a.i.r. Coffee House in Bayard

Madame Mille

By Lois Duffy

Mildred Clark Cusey (later deemed, “Madame Millie”) was born near Kansas City, Kansas. She was sadly orphaned at an early age due to the death of her parents and temporarily separated from her ailing older sister. Millie’s life was then filled with hard times on the streets and in many foster homes. Once, when Millie got into trouble, she appeared in court before Judge Harry Truman, one of many politicians she was to meet again later in life.

Her sister’s poor health, diagnosed as tuberculosis, prompted their move to the southwest where Millie worked as a “Harvey Girl” to support the two of them. Bearing the brunt of medical bills, she quickly learned that she could make money faster by turning tricks. This would ultimately lead to a wild life and career in prostitution as she traveled throughout the West with many unbelievable adventures. During her “professional” life, along with her bordellos, Millie would also own restaurants, beauty parlors, parking lots and bars across the country.

Eventually, she settled in Silver City on Hudson Street (very close to where the Chamber of Commerce now stands). Here she ran her bordellos and became a much loved character with a heart of gold. She contributed heavily to local charities and had many friends in high places. Her business was closed down in 1968, but Millie remained in the area (retiring in Santa Clara) until her death in 1993 at the age of 87. Millie was buried by her husband’s side at the Fort Bayard National Cemetery in Grant County. To this day, many of the local residents still tell her stories.

The tale of her colorful life has been portrayed in Max Evan’s book “Madame Millie,” published by University of New Mexico Press. As time goes on Millie has become a legend and a celebrated part of Silver City and Grant County’s history.

Photo and some information courtesy "Madame Mille" by Max Evans and University of New Mexico Press.

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