Kate Elder (Big Nose

Kate)

By Clay Sweo

Childhood

• Born on November 7, 1850 in Hungary

• Originally named Mary Katherine Haroney

• Her father was selected to be the personal surgeon of the emperor of Mexico,

meaning her whole family had to move

• The emperor lost his power in Mexico so the family moved to Davenport, Iowa

• Both of her parents died when she was 14.

• Stowed away on a ship to St. Louis, took the last name Fisher from the captain, and

enrolled into a convent school.

Work and

Home

• As soon as Kate Elder became independent,

she spent her time working at a dance hall and

as a prostitute

• Kate loved the freedom of prostitution and

being able to do everything on her own

• During her dance hall work, she would meet

Doc Holliday, her future partner

Associates

• Kate was known to have had many lovers throughout her life because most died early

• She first married a man named Silas Melvin and had a child, but they both died soon later

• It's possible that she had a relationship with Wyatt Earp soon after this

• Her most well-known partner was Doc Holliday, who became her partner in crime

• After his death, she had a short marriage with George M. Cummings then spent 30 years with a man named Howard

Origin of Big Nose Kate

• Although she was a very successful prostitute,

Kate was known for having a very prominent

nose

• She was also very tough and independent

Incidents with Doc

• Doc and Kate often argued, but some of these arguments turned into actual

fights

• This led to her being persuaded into lying that Doc had robbed and killed a

stage driver

• Although Doc was let off fine from this, he kicked her out and forced her to

go live on her own

Crimes

• Doc Holliday had killed a man in a disagreement during a game of poker

which resulted in him being locked in a hotel room which was used as a jail

cell

• Kate set a nearby shed on fire to use as a distraction while she held up the

guard of Doc's cell

• She would also abuse Doc often whenever she got drunk and angry

Law

• Kate did not really care for the law

because of her emphasis on

independence and doing what she

wanted

• Prostitution was technically illegal

although it was not enforced very

strongly

• Her only time breaking the law in a big

way was when she broke Doc out of his

cell

Death

• When Kate got older, she started to settle down and spent most her time

with Howard

• Many years later, Howard died and left her all his land which she stayed on

for a few years

• Finally she moved to a Pioneer's Home and stayed there till she peacefully

died on November 2, 1940

Source

• https://www.legendsofamerica.com/we-bignosekate/