Belle Brezing (aka: Belle Breezing, Belle Breazing)

Mary Belle Cox was born on June 16, 1860, in Lexington, Kentucky. She was the second illegitimate daughter of Sarah Ann Cox, dressmaker and occasional prostitute. A year later, Sarah Ann Cox married George Brezing, local saloon owner, and Mary Belle and her sister Hester's last name were changed to Brezing.

In 1872,  Brezing was seduced by a 36-year-old man   By age 15, Brezing was pregnant, and having sexual relations with at least three men:  So notorious was Brezing's reputation at the time, the Lexington Daily Press ran a mocking wedding announcement. Just nine days later, a man  was found dead outside Brezing's back gate, shot in the head with Sarah Ann's derringer, and with love notes from Brezing and a photograph of her in his pockets.

On December 24, 1879, Brezing began to work for Jennie Hill, a madam who ran a brothel out of the Mary Todd Lincoln house on  West Main St. Brezing worked  for two years - saved enough money to start her own house.

Brezing opened her first brothel at what is now 314-318 North Upper St.

Brezing opened her second brothel in 1883 at 194 North Upper St.,

Brezing opened her third brothel at 59 Megowan St. (currently the southern corner of Wilson St. and N. Eastern Ave.).

Read more about Lexington's famous Madam by going to the University of Kentucky's web site at

http://www.uky.edu/Libraries/Special/av/menu/brezingexhibit/brezing.htm

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Note: The correct spelling of Belle's last name is "Brezing."  Her name and date of birth are both incorrect on her gravestone.

The information for this biographical sketch was derived from E. I. "Buddy" Thompson's Madam Belle Brezing,

Check also The Belle Brezing Photographic Collection, 1868-1983
Special Collections and Archives, University of Kentucky.