A crackdown on all illegal gambling and other activities prohibited by law in Miles City and Custer County was ordered late Friday by County Attorney Jack Carr. He said the decision to issue this order was his own and he accepts all the responsibility for it. "I fully realize," he stated, "that the position I have taken will be unpopular with certain elements in this community."


Miles City Daily Star Saturday-Sunday May 11-12, 1963

I happened to meet one of the girls who was back in town visiting several years ago. She had many fond memories of Miles City. Very proud of their contribution to the town.

That was the day that Miles City became no better than Hathaway.

Jeri--I have had a large number of people who were around when the Houses were in operation tell me what wonderful ladies the occupants were. These were top-of-the-line establishments.

Yes, according to the information that I have learned...they were very caring people. They had the best in medical care, great consumers which helped businesses to flourish. They truly cared for Miles City. I knew the sister of the lady I visited with. Very proud of having lived here and of her occupation as well. History is interesting.

The houses were actually still secretly open into the 70's. While they were open we had a great hunting season crowd that stayed in town. At one time there were 4 cab companies operating in MC. This was due mainly to the houses. I did know a lady that had worked there and was married to a fellow here in MC. She was a very nice lady and very proper.

I heard a story about a group of doctors from St. Paul that came to Miles City for hunting and stayed at one of the houses. After they returned to St. Paul one would send one of the ladies a beautiful bouquet of roses. The card always read, "From you know who, for you know what".

I was under the impression that "the line" closed in the early 70's. But what I do know is that my mother sold insurance to the ladies for their children. I know that she had tea with one of the madams at 2105 Main St. I was there.

There was a madam who lived next door to me when I moved into 2203 Main in 1997. She had a business at the Wild Horse Pavilion. There was an article about her in the Billings Gazette about that time.

The article was titled something to the effect of Wal-Mart Madame. She was hired as a greeter at Wal-mart for a time.

Carr campaigned against the "Houses" and many were surprised when he closed them down. As said, they were a good source of cash income for many business in Miles City.

My Mom was a beautician in the '60's and on a regular basis did one of the madam's hair. I remember her telling about how the madam kept a "clean house". Mom acquired one of the antique floral upholstered chairs from the "house". Very beautiful piece with lots of untold stories.

The bar at Gallaghers/Ruby's Casino is out of the old houses.

Now I know, always wondered what happened to the houses, one was named Judys a I remember, as a young Airman out at the old Radar base we would go there for drinks after bars closed in town had enough for a couple of beers high priced, and as an airman couldn't afford anything else, madam at Judys treated us OK we even got a donation out of her for the AF Academy new football stadium seats, girls not aloud to roam in town had to take a cab to town and back remember seeing the cab waiting for them when we were at Fosters Drug chaseing local girls

[There was a madam who lived next door to me when I moved into 2203 Main in 1997. She had a business at the Wild Horse Pavilion. There was an article about her in the Billings Gazette about that time.]

I believer you're talking about Maryona Johnson and the Billings Gazetter article was about her going from a Madam at the Wild Horse to a people greeter at Walmart. She was nice enough to sign a copy for us. Think she's living at Eagle's Manor now.

Maryona was much later than the classic houses of the early twentieth century.