Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-11-03
An U0nafuraI Husband Forces His
Wife InfO Life of shame.

CISCINNAT;, November "A most horri-
bic and disgusting state IF affairs was de-
veloped Tuesday night In the arrest, or
rather detention, of William Meeks, who
was taken 10 the Hammond street station
house, on complaint of Henry Dull, farmer
from Henry county, q.
The arrest was made by Officers McFar-
land and Moffet, and Meeks was accom-
panied 10 the stationhouse by the complain
ant, Mr.. Dull, and his daughter Cora, who
has been an inmate OF Daisy Lawrence's
house of prostitution for the past week. The
girl is a comely- y-lookins brunette, fifteen
years old, with large, bright eyes, an abun-
dance OF hair, aud is finely developed for her
age.
The story, as told by the father and daugh-
ter, places Meeks, who is Sky years old, in
very uneDviable light, and although he is
not amenable to the law, he can be classed
AS no better than the procurer of young girls
for the purpose oil prostitution. Their tale
is TO the effect that Meeks, who is an timer
ant vender and makes his home wherever he
Gets down his hat, made his appearance in
Wood and Henry counties several months
since selling spectacles. In order to escape
Threatened storm he one sday stopped in
the farmhouse of William Dali. conver-
sation wss opened Oh this occasion, and
Mseks soan hacaslo insim ately acquainted
with the tamil IL lie claimed 10 be worth
hibited bundle Of bills of no small denon,-
nations.
He finally began courting Cors, the eldest
daughter and won the affections of the girl,
whom he asked TO marry him. He repre-
sented to the farmer that it was his intention
to settle down, and that lie would purchase
the farm of him and deed il TO Cora, and
would theresiter make his home with the
Doll family. The father assented to the
proposed match and the pair were married.
Meeks never kept his engagement in re-
garG 70 purchasing the farm, and soon after
left the homestead, taking the daughter with
| him. The pair then went 10 Toledo and
from there TO Grand Rapids, Mich. Here it
| is said that Meeks unfolded pltiful tale 10
his wife, representing to her that ne WAS
poverty stricken and told her the emily
| course open TO her was 10 enter house of
prostitution. She Indignantly rejected the
proposition, and soon aferward returned to
! her parents. Meeks induced her to rejoin
him and they again went TO boarding at
Grsnd Rapids. Alter remainiDg there
short time they went TO Cleveland, and from
there came TO this city. They began board
ing at the Chicsgo House, on Fifth street,
but only remained there two days.
He sgain made indecent proposals TO his
young wife to enter a life of shame, and al
though he had over $1,000 IN his pocket al
the time, he insisted that he was unable to
support her. Meeks is fair conversation
alist, and talks in a smooth, oily manner.
BY persistent persuasion and thre ats he 6uaily
frightened the girl into giving an unwilling
assent, and she began her course OF shame in
Kate Riley's mdiSon de foie, on Longworth
street. From there she emigraied to Frank
Halls place, on George street, at the end OF
| the week, and the expiration OF fortnight
found the young wife among the boarders in
Daisy Lawrence's house, on Broadway, from
l. .sr.l,t tolr h., ka
| police.
Meeks frequently visited bis wife at these
places, and, although not sharing the profits
| realized from the sacrifice OF her honor,
never offered to assist her, bus urged her to
! remain.
The husband, desiring TO return to Henry
county, wrote letter, offering to give Mr..
Dull $1,000 for his farm, which he held at
| $500. The father, who by some means had
received an intimation OF the strait to which
his daughter had been reduced by her hus-
band, came 10 this city and caused the arrest
| as stated above.
Meeks occupied chair in the Office OF the
| statiouhouse He was not in the least en-
bsrrassed by the statements made by his
wife or father-in-law, and did not deny their
truthfuness. The only excuse he offered
| was that he was not able 10 support her, and
had told her that she might follow any
course she chose to pursue. When first
arrested he evinced some fear OF punishment,
and made bolt for an open door and started
down Hammond street on a fast run. He
was brought TO a halt by Officer Mcfarland
with the peremptory commsnd, "Slop, or I'll
shoot youp He did not seem to be disturbed
after that, as he thought that no charge
could be preferred against him. Cora says
that she is heartily tired of the life she was
| induced to lead by her unnatural husband,
and wants to return home where she will be
| taken by her father to-day.
The charge OF lettering was finally placed
| against the old mau