In 1867, Julia Bulette, Virginia City’s most famous courtesan and the so-called Queen of the Comstock, was brutally murdered in her cottage. Strangled and left for dead, her killing shocked the booming mining town built on the riches of the Comstock Lode.
This episode of Deadly Truths explores Julia’s extraordinary life, the crime scene, and the sensational trial that followed. The controversial conviction and public hanging of John Millain raised questions that linger to this day: was justice really served, or was he a scapegoat?
From the silver boom of Virginia City to the early days of Reno, Julia’s story is more than a true crime case—it’s a piece of Nevada history that reveals the darker side of the Wild West.
Step back into 19th-century Nevada for one of the state’s earliest and most infamous murder cases—the death of Julia Bulette, the Queen of the Comstock.
📚 References & Sources
Nevada Historical Society – Julia Bulette Case Files & Archives. Documentation of her life, death, and the trial of John Millain.
https://www.nvhistoricalsociety.org
Virginia City Historic District – Comstock History Resources. Local archives on Bulette’s murder and the 1867 trial.
https://visitvirginiacitynv.com/history
Nevada Magazine – Julia Bulette: Queen of the Comstock. Narrative feature on her life, role in Virginia City, and lasting legend.
https://nevadamagazine.com
Comstock History Center – The Trial of John Millain. Archival summaries of proceedings and public reaction.
https://comstockfoundation.org
Reno Gazette-Journal Archives – Coverage of the Julia Bulette case and its place in early Nevada crime history.
https://www.rgj.com
PBS Nevada / “Nevada Experience” – Virginia City and the Comstock Era. Context on the mining boom and Julia’s place in society.
https://pbsreno.org
Historic Reno Preservation Society (HRPS) – FootPrints: Julia Bulette. Local history publication detailing Bulette’s legacy.
https://www.historicreno.org
The Comstock Chronicle – Local reprints and retrospectives on Bulette’s murder and Virginia City legends.
https://comstockchronicle.com
Disclaimer & Listener Warning
This podcast discusses sensitive and potentially disturbing topics, including murder, sexual assault, domestic violence, and suicide. Listener discretion is advised. All information presented has been compiled from publicly available records, news reports, archival sources, and historical accounts. While care has been taken to ensure accuracy, details may vary depending on source material.
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