This is a late 1850's ambrotype of Carlotta Thompkins, best known as Lottie Denbow. It was found in New Orleans, Louisiana by a well known newsman and historian there. It is contemporary identified on the back of the plate. It IS her, period. In this image, she was still a teenager of about 19-20 years old. She was from a prominent Kentucky family. She became very good at games of chance, changed her name to Lottie Denbow, to protect her family, and went out West. She became a famous and successful gambler and was one of the only women to be allowed to play at the card tables in saloons, gambling houses, and riverboats with such men as Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday, among others. History says she was a tough lady and bawdy house owner/operator as well as a gambler and highly respected. In 1879, 1880, she married a man by the name of Frank Thurmond in Silver City, New Mexico. They moved to Deming, New Mexico in 1881 where she became a prominent member of society. She helped to build St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Deming and was known for her charity. Her husband died in 1908 and she died in 1934. This is an exceptionally rare image. This is one of my favorite photographs and finds.
