Democratic enquirer. [volume] (M'arthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1867-1873, 1868-09-17
Hens auo suistfIlaup.
THE WIcKEDEsT MAN INNEw YORK

THE WICKEDEST MAN INNEW YORK
He shuts Up His Water street Dance
H0use--Prayer Meeting There--The
Old Den 10 be hIagdalen Asylum
W From the N Y. Sun, Aug. 81
John Allen shut up his dance house at
midnight ON Saturday, and announced that
it would never be opened again, except for
some good purpose; that, as a dance house,
its career had closed A number Of chris
trian friends were present, who had been
notified of his intention, and, after the
house had been closed, q midnight prayer
meeting was held in the dancing saloon. =
Allen, his wife, and the girls took part in
the prayer meeting, and joined heartily in
singing the hymns.
Many Of Aliens neighbors and lots Of
loafers gathered in the street in front Of
3O4 Water street, and discussed the por-
tentous conduct Of the Wickedest Man. =
Some thought he'd gone crazy; others felt
sure that he knew what he was about, and
had really made up his mini to quit the
business for the sake of his children; but
an oracular dance house keeper said
"Tll tell you what's the matter It's re-
lieion These cussed singin' and prayin'
fellers have got hold Of John, and he's get
TIM to be too damned religious. Religions
unhealthy It's worse'n cholera. It's took
many poor feller off, and now its gettih'
hold of John, and it II take him off least
ways it II take him off from Water street
You see ii it don't" '9
This declaration was received with silent
awe, as though the entire crowd felt the
doom of religion impending over them.
ON Sunday morning the following an
nouncement written in bold, plain hand,
was posted on the door of 3O4 Water street:
''THIs DANCE HOUSE IS CLOSED ~
''No gentd en admitted unless ac-
eompanied by their wives, who wish to
employ Magdalens as domestics. E
JOHN ALLEN"
This notice attracted great attention, and
groups were constantly gathering in the
streets during the day, discussing the mat
ter and making all manner of prophecies in
regard to the result.
In the afternoon Allen attended the Sab
bath School and meeting at the Howard
Mission, where the fact that he had closed
his dance house was publicly announced
Allen himself made few remarks as fol-
lows
JOHN ALIENS SPEECH.
Ladies and gentlemen, unaccustomed as
l am to public speaking, my address will
not be prolix. Isimply say that although
1 have been called " the wickedest man in
New York" will show yet to the world
that am not the wickedest man in New
York; that 1 will help the outcast and fallen
en- of all creeds and denominations, and
that will begin from this moment to
achieve moral reform whenever and
wherever l can. want my friends to
stand by me, as / shall have hard time OF
it for while, and will in future devote
my life to doing good as far as l can,
He seemed very frank and honest and
in downright earnest, as we hope he was,
and will continue to be.
After Allen took his seat it was announ-
nounced that there would be prayer meet
ing at his house in the evening, and u
prayer meeting was held last night at 904
Water street. in accordance with such an
nouhcement.
THE PRAYER MEETING LAST NIGHT.
Water street was arrayed in all its wick
edness last evening. BY contrast, such
streets seem if possible wickeder on Sun
day than ON week days. The evening was
close and sultry; the tenements and dance
houses filthy and warm. The heat drove
the residents ont in the open air. Not
that the change was much for the bet
ter, for the stencil that rose from the filth
and garbage of the cutters was intolerable.
Men sat smoking and swearing, women in
very dishabiile costumes kept them com
pany in both, while ragged boys and girls.
gutter snipes as they are called rolled
about and played with each other in the
mud Thecrazy music Of bands, the croak-
ing of worn out piano, and the groalling
ing whine of dilapidated violin, foated
ON the heavy air from inside many dance
house, inviting passers-by to enter these
ante-rooms Of perdition. There was one
house, however, from which all this noise
and wickedness had passed away out Of
which the evil spirits had been cast, and
whose proprietor had turned over new
and very important leaf in the book of his
life This was 304, the house of John
Allen.
At Z o'clock we reached the house, and
found John sitting outside the door. For
coolness he had discarded coat and vest,
and sat in his shirt sleeves, He was in
good humor and cordially invited us to
enter, remarking as he did so, that he was
going to have prayer meeting there Ns
soon as the clergyman came, The bar
room had been arranged for the purpose.
Tables were placed in the centre of the
room, and John told one of his boys to
''chuck down few Bibles and hymn
books, and bring in few more chairs ="
He then inquired, "Are you religious
parsonage, for if SO will call in clergy
man to talk with you" We expressed a
preference for discourse with himself.
He spoke unrssevedly of his reformation,
said he was glad he had got out of the
business and was determined to make up
in every way he could for the balance of
his life. Turning his face full upon us he
inquired if he looked like a scoundrel. We
confess he did not. His lower jaws are
heavy and protrude, and that is the only
bad portion of his physiognomy. "Two of
the girls" he said, ''are to be provided
with situations and those who won't re-
form will skedaddle 10 some other house
like what this was"
One of the women wanted to get some
whisky when John replied, mo more rum
in this house, not by any means"
Messrs. Arnold Van Meter, Oliver Dyer,
and other gentlemen dropped in, and each
was warmly welcomed by John. He stood
at the door inviting his neighbors to prayer
meeting, "Yere all welcome, every one of
ye. Come in boys, walk along girls, it'll
do you no harm, and may do you sight of
good" mel
Four young men entered. They were
sailor-looking, and their red faces wore the
outward sign of whisky within. They
knew John and shook his hand, but looked
sheepish when he told them to 60 in and
pray. They did not come for prayers, and
were dnmbfounded to find notorious hell
turned into house of worship, They
skunk out as if half ashamed, and doubt
less they went directly to one Of the dens
near by.
2 The time is half past eleven andthe COM
pany has arrived 1t is molly assemblage,
On the right hand side are the women Of
the town, red hot from the dance houses in
IL -. q. AlaoAol