In the 1870's a very interesting woman ran a very interesting business in our small town of Postville. Some 125 years ago about all the businesses in our small town were owned by manly men, however we did have a couple of Millinary stores run by women -- and another business, a very unusual occupaton -- run by a wily woman by the name of Mrs. Madam Mitchell.

The first year I ran across her name was in the year 1873 in the Postville Review, the heading of the article was entitled "O For Shame!":

O For Shame!

Our town was shamefully disgraced last Sabbath, occasioned by one H. Mitchell. Mr. Mitchell, we suppose, can justly attribute the pure cussedness he exhibited, to whisky, or some other kind of intoxicating drink. On the morning of that day, at about seven o'clock, we were met by the wife of Mitchell, near the Post Office, when she made her difficulty known to us. She wanted to know of us where the marshal lived, and said she was going to have her husband put in the "prison" as he had been abusing her and her little girl most shameful, had even threatened to murder her, and burn the house. We pointed Marshal Dawes residence to her then proceeded down the street toward the depot, taking the one that passed by Mitchell's residence, when we were shocked at the language coming from the vile mouth of the drunken man, as he stood in his own door, cursing, swearing and using the most vulgar language that can be imagined, insulting all who chanced to pass that way. A brother of Mrs. M. was in charge of the house while his sister was in search of the officer, and Mitchell became so raving that it became necessary for the guard to call in some of the neighbors to assist him in controlling the wild man. Finally the wife in company with the Marshal appeared upon the scene of action, when the Marshal seemed to have been rather successful in manufacturing a little quietude, and thinking that all would be all right again departed. At about 11 o'clock a.m. the marshal was again sent for, and in a short time appeared agan on the scene of action, and arrested Mitchell. Mitchell at once resented the officer, striking him a fearful blow over the left eye, the marshal called for help, and in a few minutes the prisoner was lodged in, what the boys call the "cooler". The marshal called upon Mrs. M. during the afternoon telling her that Mitchell would pay dearly for resenting an officer in that manner, asking her at the same time, if she intended to bail him out, when, she replied "not a cent of my money will ever get him out of there." But the matter resulted about as we expected, soon Monday morning Mrs. M. mortaged her property, and settled the little trick her husband played upon the marshal's eye. Let us say there, that we will continue to mention such shameful fracases that occur in our town of Postville.

The first Ad

The first ad by Madam Mitchell that I ran across in the Postville Review was in 1874. She believed in advertising her business:

Mrs. Madam Mitchell -- the Great English Herb Doctress, is permanently located on corner of Reynolds and Ogden streets, opposite Congregational church, Postville. All her remedies have been skillfully prepared under her own supervision, from Flowers, Berries, Barks, Roots, Leaves, Seeds and Herbs, all of which have been selected with great care and judgement. Madam Mitchell treats all diseases by a method peculiarly her own. She has the great gift and can tell the cause of diseases and the suffering. It should be borne in mind that she performs cures thought impossible. All female diseases and weaknesses treated with great success. Mrs. Mitchell wishes to call the attention of the public to such as Rheumatism, Piles, Sore Eyes, Dropsy and Dyspepsia, in the treatment of which she has no equal, as the most obstinate cases yield to her wonderful remedies. The afflicted will get an honest opinion of their case. Consultation on Diseases FREE. Charges Low. Madam Mitchell.

Those persons wishing to see a bonafide Astrologist, and one who has no equal in her profession of telling the past, present and future events of life, can do so by calling on Madam Mitchell. See sign on door.

In the early 1870's Madam Mitchell sold Featherbone Corsets on the side, along with her Healing and Fortune-Telling business. She boasted that the Featherbone was the "best fitting Corset on the market" and besides, she would "cheerfully refund your money after a 4 weeks trial if not fully satisfied."

Madam Mitchell had to compete with the leading Patent medicines of the day:

Rocky Mountain Tea

A famous dish for breakfast -- keeps the whole family well -- costs only 35 cents -- lasts 35 days. One package of rocky Mountain Tea. It's a wonderful tonic that makes all sick people well.

Dr. Williams Pink Pills for Pale People

First a cough carried him off ...
And then a coffin they carried him off in.This will not be your epitaph if you use
Dr. Williams Pink Pills for Pale People in time
It alone is -- nature's wonder.

Dr. Pierce's Pleasant Purgative Pellets

Dr. Pierce's Pleasant Purgative Pellets that are ...
Positively popular
Provoke praise
Prove Priceless
Peculiaarly prompt
Perceptibly potent
Producing Permanent Profit
Precluding Pimples and Pustules
Promoting Purity and Peace
Purchase price -- Petty.
Pharmacists Patronizing Pierce's Procure Plenty.

The one and only -- the savior of her sex -- Lydia E. Pinkham and her Vegetable Compound

1878, Postville Review:
The night of the circus, some scallowag entered the houses of A.R. Prescott and Mrs. Madam Mitchell, and carried off goods to the amount of about $250.00. Postville people should be very careful about leaving home when such a crowd is in town.

Postville Fair News:
You will be able to buy Beer at the Fair this year. Want to try a good German brew? Drink Koevenig's Beer. Its the one that is brewed at the Postville Brewery, by German Bier-Master Joseph Koevenig. Madam Mitchell, the great Astroligist, may be found at her residence on Lawler Street, opposite Roberts Bros. store in Postville. Come in and see her famous Crystal Ball. She will be open for business, ten hours a day all next week, during Fair Week. Perfect satisfaction guaranteed.

An 1880 Madam Mitchell advertisement:
Mrs. Mitchell, the great English Herb Doctor and Astrologist, has returned to Postville and may be sonsulted at her residence. She can guide and direct you and remove your domestic troubles -- she brings together those separated and your lost love returned. She shows you a correct likeness of your future partner in her celebrated Rock Diamond, whch causes every one who visits her to look with amazing wonder. It is only once in a lifetime that you have the opportunity to visit such a great person. All female diseases and weakness treated with great sucess.
Telling ladies fortunes .. .50 cents
Gentlemen only ... $1.00
See sign on Door
Madam Mitchell know all.

The good Madam was married several times while carrying on her line of Healing and Fortune Telling. She was a one woman business. She was the one and only top executive. The success of her business depended entirely upon her skills. In her chosen profession she traveled extensively year after year throughout the United States, returning to her home in Postville some six months in an average year. By todays standard she was a fully liberated woman, such as her idol Lydia E. Pinkham of Lynn, Mass. Throughout her life she was involved in many "extra cur-ric-u-lar" activities. I guess that she considered "variety to be the spice of life."

- published on the Allamakee co. IAGenWeb with the generous permission of Stan Schroeder
- original transcripts provided by Stan Schroeder & transcribed by Sharyl Ferrall

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