The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1865-07-26
WHOLE NO. 458.
From the Chicago Times.
Behind the Bnrs...De ire ps in Prison

Noh1n0 the BnrSs.sOe nlrepS In Prison.
Passing by Court House square, the PRONE.
nader beholds the spacious ediace that stands
in the centre surrounded by fountains and trees.
Its broad approaches are pleasant TO the sight,
and its towering cupola is suggestive of safety ;
for from his perch, the highest pinnacle, the
operator OF the fire alarm telegraph watches BY
day and by night over the great city Of Chi.
cag0.
Few people are aware Of what this building
contains. Above are the halls of justice, wide
and airy. and the headquarters Of city and
county officials. Below is a reeking den of
prostitutes, thieves and murderers. The recent
raid of the police upon the houses of ill fame,
filed these noisome cells with the most de.
graded class of humanity. But they only re.
mained there one night before their friends
came to the rescue, and they were set at large.
About dozen Of these women were unable to
get bail, aud are at present confined in cell in
the east wing of the court house. Within its
four narrow walls appears as much iniQuity as
ever polluted this fair earth Crouched in the
corners, or lying Ianguidiy upon the miserable
couch, in half nude condition, these fallen
Ewes kill time by uncouth gestures aud words
unit for decent folks to hear. Regardless of
their fate and careless of consequences, these
miserable creatures abide the decision OF the
law. Around the room, scattered in most neg.
ligent manner. may be seen gorgeous and ex.
pensve dresses, exqusitely finished under gar.
ments. beautiful ribbons, and the latest style of
bonnets, elaborately trimmed. These are the
wages Of sin.
One half-nude creature, young and poor,
Notwithstanding months Of debauchery, wears
upon her unblushng bosom a valuable chain,
such rs men Of means might envy. Diamonds
OF the purcst water nestle upon her dirty
fingers, refusing to hide their brilliancy even
under such circumstances. Her ears are heavy
with jewels, and her uncouth bare arms are en-.
circled with golden bands, set with precious
stones. This woman chafes beneath copfine.
meut, and offers her jewels for liberty, conscious
that sin will soon suffice to replace them if she
can gain enlargement She belongs to the
higher class-Heaven save the mark-of her
miserable profession, and to her, money 10 Of
no account. Her reckless spirit is willing to
dare anything, and she Is guarded with the
utmost vigilance. Her jewels are her all and
they are buried with her!
Another occupant Of the same cell is poor
young girl. apparently not over Is years Of age.
Crime has weighed heavily upon her young
head. Cold, blood shot eyes, and countenance
resembling that OF an incarnate 6end, reveal
this womans character. Despair, and reckless
indulgence in every feature. She has evident.
ly been less successful in iniquity than her fel.
low women; a tattered calico dress covers her
person, aud worn shoes are upon her feet In
her manner appears few marks of gen,ility;
but if she ever enjoyed early good breeding,
very woman is of good family, highly educated,
and once an heiress. Early in life the seducer
led her astray by his unholy acts, and now she
is paying the penalty of her iudiscretion Dis.
owned, forgotten so far 40 the world knows,
this unfortunate female 10 imprisoned in full
view perhaps Of her wealthy family, who may
drive carelessly by the court house in their car.
riase, and take no note of the sufferngs Of their
own flesh and blood. She is naught to them
she is disowned and prostitute.
Thus epitomized might be the remaining
cases in question. Nine out Of ten of these
women were once loved members of respectable
families, and boasted the manners Of educated
ladies. But their manners are now that Of vice,
and their education makes them only more apt
at slang repartee.
Bread and water has no very salutary indu.
ence upon these women. Injured to crime,
they converse in the most boisterous and indie
cent language, making their cell horror in
the Jail. They watch eagerly for on opportu-
nifty to escape, and bescech visitors to bring
them away.
On the lower hall Of the Jail are confined the
usual number Of thieves, garroters and men
accused of every crime. The atmosphere in
these cells is sultry, and they breathe with
the greatest difficulty. Night is God send
day to these wretches, for it brings cooling
breezes, which blow freely through the main
corridor of the Jail. At high roon yesterday
many sat behind the bars in nude condition,
thrustng out their limbs as if to cool them.
selves. The sight was disgusting in the ex.
treme. And all Of this within O stones throw
! of the most fashionable and respectable midday
promenade in Chicago.