, 1881-10-29
IN THE DENS



d'n, one of the largest in the territory, has
been running under full headway in Walls
WAlla, but it could not get the exact loca-
ton OF the place or the private entrance
thereto. Determined to ferret out and find
what there was in it. it put a corps of repor-
ters ON the trail, with instructions for them
to watch and ascertain. if possible, all about
It and who frequented the place. Up to
Monday night nothing of any interest WAS
reported, as the keepers Of the place had been
informed OF the movements Of the newspaper
men, and kept strict secrecy. About l.
O'Clock on the night in question, however,
one OF our reporters managed to ascertain
where the entrance WAS, and he reported at
once. '+Come," he said, 'tand l will show
you. Hastily dressing, We took up note
book and followed him. In order to avoid
suspicion We walked up TO First street, and
when between Main and Alder, turned into
the alley that is filed with Chhese houses
and gambling dens, and wher9we halted
found ourselves immediately in the rear Of
Breehteis bakery and but a few yards dis
tant from the STATESMAN office.
We tGried there bot q moment. Hur-
riedly our guide led the way through anoth-
er alley between the China houses, then
hurried to the right then TO the left through
a dimly lighted passage, pulled an old calico
curtain to one side and began to descend an
old ladder that led into the earth
''What you want ;" said greasy looking
heathen, just As We had our foot on the first
step
I'VE go down and smoke, John,'' We re-
piled, as We placed half dollar il his hand
"Alle hight" he replied, and We continued
our course.
OF all the dark passages on earth, or IN
earth, this is certainly the worst. No light,
except that emitting from the little lamps
In the side caves as We pass along. that are
used to burn the opium and light the pipes
Not one solitary breath of air except that
which comes to one loaded down with opium
and tobacco There on the right hand side
is a little bunk" constructed Of rough ma
terial, covered over OILY with a rough blan-
ket, and ON that lies a man, young man,
and one whom the good people of the city
would least suspect of being there, in a half
dreamy condition. and in his mouth the hor
rible pipe, while the fumes of opium were
around and about him SO thick that it could
almost be cut with knife On another
bunk similar to the one just described lies
YOUNG WOMAN,
Whom the drug has put in sound slumber.
Nor is this ALL ''Bunk" after bunk is to
be seen. every one of them filled, some by
people whose lives are worse than lost, and
others by those whose shame has not yet
come TO the surface. 1t is fearful place
there under ground where you hear nothing
but curses coming from the lips Of those who
cannot get their pipes filed fast enough, and
the only wonder is that the whole thing Is
not raided by officers of the law and every
opium smoker and den keeper made to pay
a heavy penalty.
The fact that in civilized Walla Walla,
dens Of this character, where only debauchery
and shame is taught, are permitted to Hour
ish is something that We cannot account for,
and the idea of allowing them to exist and
spread
NOTHING BUT DESOLATION
Is a shame (and burning une) to our city.
Those who read this article may imagine that
it is only the lower order of people who visit
these dens, but in this they are mistaken; it
is those who would not be exposed for any
thing in the world, and that is why they
select this place to 20 and indulge.
Tae ordinance, as We understand it, does
not give the police force power sufficient to
make an arrest unless they disco !er parties
in the act of smoking. This is wrong. 1t
should be so made that the very fact Of find
ing one of the dread pipes in house would
he evidence sufficient tn warrant an arrest,
not only of the keeper of the den but OF
every inmate We should like to SEE the
authorities take some action IN relation to
the matter. Let them appoint some night
themselves and make a raid on these dens
and ascertain the true state Of affairs and
then if an ordinance is not pas,ed to meet
the occasion, We mss our guess.