Did you Know? The Great Western was a nickname given to El Paso Prairie Nymph, (Prostitute) Sarah Bowman. Sarah, who was born Sarah Knight, also used the last names of Bourjette, Bourget, Bourdette, Davis, Bowman, Bowman-Phillips, Borginnis, and Foyle. She came to be known as the Great Western for her height. (Sarah stood six feet two inches tall) The nickname is thought to be a reference to a contemporary steamship of the day also noted for its size. RIP Ford wrote of Sarah, "she has the reputation of being something of the roughest fighter on the Rio Grande and was approached in a polite, if not humble, manner." During the Mexican War it is reported that Sarah offered to wade the Colorado and whip the enemy by herself if Gen. Worth would simply lend her a stout pair of tongs. Sarah is best known for opening a hotel in Saltillo, (The American House) , that she converted to a hospital. During the battle of Buena Vista, Sarah not only rescued wounded soldiers from the battlefield. but also carried them back to her hotel / hospital!
Mike Kearby's Texas Copyright 2011
