Eleanor Dumont
Childhood
Though details of Eleanor Dumont's background remain somewhat uncertain, historical records suggest she was born as Simone Jules in 1829, possibly to French Creole parents in New Orleans. By the time she arrived in Nevada City, California in 1854, she had adopted the name Eleanor Dumont and leveraged the frontier's fascination with French women to her advantage.
Career
Dumont's gambling career began in earnest when she opened her first establishment, a gambling parlor called "Vingt-et-un" (Twenty-One) on Broad Street in Nevada City, California. She quickly gained attention as an accomplished card dealer for her exceptional skills at twenty-one and other casino games. What made her establishment particularly notable was her strict admission policy—only well-dressed men were permitted entry, and no women except herself were allowed.
Her novelty as "the woman dealer" attracted customers from far and wide. She maintained a professional demeanor, using flirtation strategically to attract clientele while keeping them at a respectful distance. Her success led to a partnership with Dave Tobin, an experienced gambler, and together they opened "Dumont's Place," which flourished until the gold resources in Nevada City began to diminish.
When the prosperity of Nevada City waned around 1859, Dumont sold her gambling palace and embarked on a nomadic career that took her to numerous frontier towns, including:
- Bodie, California
- Deadwood, South Dakota
- Fort Benton, Montana
- Pioche, Nevada
- Tombstone, Arizona
- San Francisco, California.
During her time in Bannack, Montana, she developed the distinctive facial hair that earned her the nickname "Madame Moustache." Despite this physical change, she maintained her reputation as a fair dealer and continued to draw crowds wherever she went.
Personal life
In 1870, Dumont attempted to settle down by purchasing a ranch with livestock in Carson City, Nevada. During this period, she fell in love with a man named Jack McKnight. Unfortunately, this relationship ended tragically when McKnight defrauded her of all her money before abandoning her in 1872, forcing her to return to gambling.
Revenue
In the 1860s, Dumont expanded her business interests beyond gambling by becoming a brothel madam. She operated brothels in many of the same frontier towns where she worked as a gambler. Known for her marketing prowess, she would parade her employees around town in carriages during daylight hours, showcasing their beauty—a practice that often drew disapproval from the local non-prostitute women.
Interesting facts
Dumont was known for her beauty and charm in her early years, which helped establish her reputation in Nevada City.
Her nickname "Madame Moustache" came from the dark line of hair that appeared on her upper lip later in life.
She was highly respected for dealing fair games at a time when cheating was common among frontier gamblers.
Dumont traveled extensively throughout the Western frontier, establishing gambling operations in at least six states.
Despite her profession in the often lawless gambling world, she maintained strict standards for her establishments.
Legacy
Eleanor Dumont's life came to a tragic end in Bodie, California. After a significant gambling loss that left her deeply in debt, she was found dead outside town on September 8, 1879, from a morphine overdose, apparently self-administered.
Despite her tragic end, Eleanor Dumont left behind a remarkable legacy as one of the few successful female gamblers of the American frontier. In an era when women had limited opportunities, she carved out a unique and independent life for herself. Her story represents an early example of female entrepreneurship and self-determination in the American West, challenging traditional gender roles of the Victorian era.
Frequently asked Questions
While she presented herself as French and capitalized on the frontier's fascination with French women, historical evidence suggests she was likely born Simone Jules to French Creole parents in New Orleans.
Gambling was primarily a male-dominated profession, which made female dealers like Dumont rare. This novelty gave them a competitive advantage in attracting customers. Additionally, frontier societies had fewer established social restrictions than eastern cities, allowing entrepreneurial women more freedom to pursue unconventional careers.
Extremely unusual. The gambling world was overwhelmingly dominated by men, making Dumont's success remarkable. Few women owned gambling establishments outright, and even fewer worked as dealers.
Historical accounts confirm that Dumont developed facial hair on her upper lip later in life, leading to her nickname "Madame Moustache." This physical characteristic became part of her identity in the frontier gambling circuit.
Dumont helped pave the way for women in the gambling industry by demonstrating that women could successfully operate and deal in gambling establishments. Her story illustrates how the American frontier sometimes allowed women to break free from traditional 19th-century gender roles.
