his skull. Mucci was allegedly the last person to see Cook alive. Kenney immediately left Lexington and didn't return for ten years. The death was recorded as a suicide, but popular opinion was that Cook was murdered. On March 14, 1876, Brezing gave birth to a daughter, Daisy May Kenney. In May of that year Brezing's mother died of cancer. Whilst at the funeral, her mothers landlord padlocked the house leaving Brezing and her baby homeless. Brezing left her baby with a neighbour, with a promise to always provide for her, and turned to prostitution. Belle's first job in a brothel began December 24, 1879, in a house maintained by Jenny Hill, which has the distinction of being the former residence of First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln. Brezing quickly became the brothel's top earner and had bankers and politicians amongst her clients. Belle's "bawdy houses" In July 1881, Brezing rented a house at 156 North Upper Street and opened her own brothel. Around this time she arranged for her daughter, Daisy May, to be sent to an institution in Newport, Kentucky. Daisy May was mentally disabled and spent the rest of her life in institutions in Newport and Detroit. Brezing again became pregnant but the baby was stillborn in July 1882. Brezing was determined to make her brothel the finest in Lexington, with the best surroundings and entertainment. She made frequent trips to Cincinnati and New York City to buy linens, furnishings and clothes for the brothel. She had many influential citizens amongst her clients, including bankers, businessmen and politicians. When arrested for keeping a "bawdy house" in December 1882, she received a pardon from Kentucky Governor Luke P. Blackburn. Two years after starting her brothel she had saved enough money to buy a house, 194 North Upper Street. The brothel transferred to the new premises in July 1883. In the same year she became attached to bookkeeper William "Billy" Mabon. The couple stayed together until his death. On January 13, 1889, the Lexington Daily Press published a "Petition of Citizens" on the front page which called for the closing of "houses of ill fame conducted by Belle Breezing at 194 North Upper Street; Lettie Powell, 196 N Upper Street; and Molly Parker, 154 N Upper Street." With the help of Philadelphia millionaire William M Singerly, Brezing brought new premises at 153 Megowan Street (now 153 N. Eastern Ave) in