Tessie Wall was San Francisco's most famous madam opening
the first of several high-class brothels in 1898. She bought this ornate
mansion on Powell Street around 1915.
The Madam was famous for annually buying hundreds of
tickets to the Policeman's Ball, slamming hundreds of dollars on the bar yelling
“Have a drink on Tessie!" Her brothels were never raided.
She met gambler Frank Daroux, they fell in love and
married. In 1917 Frank got a divorce. Heartbroken she spotted Frank by the St.
Francis Hotel with a woman.
She shot him three times. When arrested she famously
cried, "I shot him 'cuz I love him— damn him!"
Tessie's last public appearance, in blonde wig and
flowing gown, was at the Policeman's ball in 1932. She died a month later at
the age of 63.
This Spring we plan to add Tessie’s tale to our San
Francisco Magic Parlor’s collection of magical stories, plan a visit to your
little theatre to learn more!
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