Galena Kansas Bordello

Ma Steffleback was known as “Galena’s Bloody Madam.”

The madam’s name was Nancy Wilson, after marrying her second husband, Charles Wilson. But news stories often referred to her by her previous married name.

Ma Steffleback, Staffleback or Stiffleback — the name is spelled many different ways — her sons Ed and George, and her husband, Charles Wilson, were all linked to the October 1897 death of Frank Galbraith. He is variously referred to as a miner, peddler and client of the bordello.

The Stefflebacks were accused of taking Galbraith’s belongings after killing him and before dumping his body in a mine shaft. In a subsequent legend, that haul included gold coins, which were never found.

Staffleback and her cohorts reputedly ran a rob-and-murder scheme that involved up to 50 victims, although the number was never verified. Finding a mark, Staffleback would drug them or get them drunk, and an accomplice would kill the victim with a blow to the head with an ax. After removing the valuables from the body, they dumped it down one of the town’s many lead-mine shafts.

Ma Staffleback was the longtime owner of the bordello and became known as “Galena’s Bloody Madam.” She, two sons, and her husband were charged in 1897 with murdering Frank Galbraith, a miner and bordello client, and dumping his body into a mine shaft. All were convicted of various charges stemming from the killing.

She, two sons, and her husband were charged in 1897 with murdering Frank Galbraith, a miner, and dumping his body into a nearby mine shaft. All were convicted of various charges stemming from the killing. Staffleback, who became known as “Galena’s Bloody Madam,” died in a Kansas prison in 1909.

Today the house is rebuilt and you can go inside

for a tour of it. Paranormal investigators say the house is haunted from the staffleback family and all the miners they killed.

Come join us for a night of ghost hunting with stars of tv`s "Ghost Lab" Brad and Barry Klinge. In Galena, Ks. just 5 minutes from Joplin, Mo. the night will also include 2 additional locations, the KKK cave, and Oak Hill Cemetery which you will be bussed to weather permitting. We will also be having a dinner banquet before the evening gets started with door prizes and a raffel.

Pictures of the outside!

Around the house

Video on this event comes out September 13, called shadows on route66.

Official name of this location is Galenas Murder Bordello

206 N Main St

Galena, Kansas

$150 for an overnight investigation for up to 10 people. If more than 10 people, it is an additional $25 per person.

website: www.route66.com

for video: shadows on 66

Outside the house now after being remodeled

More Information!!!

Galena Kansas Bordello

when was this place built?

What did she do For A Living?

Built in the late 1800's this old house has been used for several purposes, one of them being a bordello for the local miners. Although many claim this is the Staffleback bordello.

Today the house is....

The inside of the house before remodel

Who is Bloody Madam?

What happened to Ma Staffleback?

Staffleback and her cohorts reputedly ran a rob-and-murder scheme that involved up to 50 victims, although the number was never verified. Finding a mark, Staffleback would drug them or get them drunk, and an accomplice would kill the victim with a blow to the head with an ax. After removing the valuables from the body, they dumped it down one of the town’s many lead-mine shafts.

inside the house now