The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1857-12-23
McGREGOR, IOWA, WEDNESDAY,, DECEMBER %, 1857


house of Mr.. Baxter together; VIC went
in don't remember that much was said ;
my clothes were wet and put on skirt
and dress of Mrs. Bakers; there was
no one there but Mrs. Baxter, the girl,
MARY Ann Clark, and the two chill
den; / thought l was going to get some
work to do there; Mr.. Sharlow came
again that evening; felt unwell they
mixed something, whisky sling I think
they said it was, and Baxter told me to
take some of it; did 50; don't re-
member anything further that night
awoke with head ache and bad feeling
the next morning; at the time when l
came, they (Mrs. Baxter and Sharlow }
talked about somebody's "crib;" they
had some private consultation; on the
next day talked with the girl Mary Ann
and got an idea from her that the house
was a housesof ill-fame on Sunday
Baxter told me he was gong to get men
to come and stay with me that must
receive them, and should; l told him l
had never led such life and would not !;
had not and should not lead such a
life Mr.. Hanford came and staid all
night with Mary Ann; she told me he
paid her board didn't wish to let him
know that other men staid with her
nv window SID horizontally ; the door
was locked every night, never was al
lowed to 60 out doors became de-
pressed in spirits and almost concluded
to '.be mean" A Frencbman came to
me and asked to stay with me. l told
him he could not he said If it was not
for his own name he would help me, and
said he wished me not to stay there,
there were enough mean girls. He
wishe:.. to help those who want to be
good. Then Mr.. Wait brought a man
there. Baxter said he had Mr.. Wait to
show men there he said that Wait was
coming at 2 o'clock with two men
Mary Ann must stay with one and I with
another; my trunk came there dom
know how it was on the outer step left
there; it was on Tuesday; was never
out of the house but once they told
me they had taken me in and l owed for
my board and should stay until made
morey enough to pay for it; Baxter told
me so i; borrowed Mr.. Baxter's knife
to whittle q tooth brush; I did white
the brush but did not borrow the knife
for that purpose; it was a long knife
he told me he was afraid I would kill
myself; they gave me some abuse; Mr..
Smell promised to take me away if !
would promise to be decent girl Bax-
ter overheard the talk; Smell was to
come at three o'clock and take me away
to place had to work for my board
they made me stay; the night Mr..
Smell was there Mr.. Baxter locked the
house 50 l could not get out; Baxter
said he could shoot a man dead, and
would revenge it on Smell if he took me
away; after taking the stuff they gave
me it affected me as opium once did in
my remembrance was not conscious
of what WINS going on can't say that
any one attempted to force me l once
said two of tie men who came there
were drunken wretches the woman
said George we may as well give uE
our new business, as to let our girls in.
suit our customers" They told me
that if l ever got out the police would
he after me, and that if l ever said any
thing about it should be ruined was
induced to stay there because Sharlow
said the police were after me to take me
to Bridewell for walking the streets.
was finally allowed to go on the promise
that would say nothing TO any one
during the time of my stay l was KEEP
closely in the house and was not allowed
to 90 out alone do not know where my
trunks are.
The Chicago Press adds the following
comments to the above account Of thi!
Infamous affair:
"The cross ss-examination developed II,
new facts. The only other witness TO
the prosecution was policeman Fouk ant
the people rested their case. For tn
defence. the charge against the sir
Mary Ann Clark having been dismissed
she was put upon the stand, and will
that Of the other witnesses for the de
fence, her evidence was chiefly to max
out a good character for Baxter, Sharlov
and the house in question.
At the conclusion, William Sharloy
was required to give bail in $1,000
land Baxter and his wife in the sum O
$500 each. The others were discharg
ed.
The offence charged upon the defend
ants, it is much to be regretted, amour:
. to no more than a misdemea,.or punisl,
able with slOO fine and six months i
Bridewell. The evidence goes to sho,
deliberate and villianous intention o
the part Of these wretches to debauc
and ruin an innocent girl. who had bee
thrown into their hands by the circum
} stance that she was friendless an
homeless stranger in our city. Mis-
Snpleton has gone through the orde'
with high credit to herself, aud by be
demeanor and appearance upon IL
! stand, won the hig n opinion OF all lii
teners. She has narrowly escaped
! gulf which yawned for her ruin. II,
! csse lifts but the corner Of the curtai
r 10 exhibit the worse than devilish mi
{ chinery by which from the ranks
/: vounu and Innocent oirlhoOd the recrui