Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1883-10-17
Armed Women.

Of the hundreds of persons who walk
the streets of this city armed with deadly
pistols or revOlvers possibly one-half
have the permit which the municipal
ordinance requires before such carrying
of weapons becomes lawful. A perusal
of the city laws shows that any person
upon application to the officer in charge
of his precinct and payment of 81 may
receive permit from the superintendent
of police upon the recommendation of
the precinct officer to whom application
is made.
What kind of persons apply for per-
mits ?" repeated a captain, to whom a
Journal reporter put toe question.
",Well, they are mostly collectors, book
keepers in charge of valuables, private
watchmen, wealthy men about town and
treasurers of institutions"
An inspection of file of applications
revealed quite variety of pursuits and
reasons assigned on the part of the
armed host.
do women apply often ?"
"I remember Of only one In all my
experience; she lived up town some
where, and not long since shot burglar
one night"
LON u any VI Gu0eS HOAOA AlShV0
women carry guns ?"
"WelI, if they do, it is without per
mits, and therefore in violation of the
| ordinance. You see as soon as you give
a woman a privilege she don't care for
it any longer. The law doesn't make
any distinction against women, and If
one applied to me / could not refuse her
if she showed good cause. But they
would howl fer pistols if they knew they
couldn't have them"
"But women do carry pistols; what
is the penalty in case they have no per-
NIT p
"Ten dollars or Imprisonment"
At the Tombs the reporter made some
inquiries.
"Yes, prisoners are often found with
revolvers and no permits to match; q
separate charge is entered against them.
| Sometimes the officers catch a glimpse
of a shiny barrel or butt of pop
sticking out unwarily from pocket, and
if the unlucky pOssessOr shows no
license he must come and pay for his in
discretion. But the largest number are
caught In the using, or else, when
brought in on some other charge,
searched and found wanting in permit,
but armed just the same"
"What class of women carry them
Oh, boarding house keepers who are
growing wealthy off of the famine they
furnish at high prices; then there are
few variety actresses, some adVentur-
esses and nyn1aOhs du pare. A few
wealthy ladies, who have learned from
force of circumstances to protect them
selves, have been discovered in this fix,
but they pay the $40 and buy another
pistol next day, suppose.
"What kind of arms do women
carry?"
sob, dainty little pocket pistols
about eighteen caiber; they keep them
in those small alligator-skin satchels
covered up in handkerchief, or hidden
away in the depths OF her bOsOm-sOme
place where she never can get hold of it
when she needs it. You know they are
nervous creatures, and they keep them
as matter of form, just as man has a
lightning rod on his house-they regard
it as a kind of charm"
The reporter, however, knew of few
of the sex who go armed, and called
upon them. Number one was pretty
soubrette who sometimes delights the
clientele of apopular East Side theater,
You know" she exclaimed, 81 fused
to be quite unprotected and had often to
go home late, sometimes carrying con-
siderable jewelry, SO [ used to carry a
pistol to and from the theater"
"Did you ever have occasion to use
it?" ~
"Once," laughing archly. 81 was
passing new building, when an ugly
looking man jumped out from behind a
pile of boards; took good aim at him
and banged away square at his misera-
BILE head. He ran. felt twinge in
my thumb-see that? That's where
the nasty thing struck. I'm married
now, thank heaven, and my husband
shoots my men for me"
Number two is the wife of retired
!, lawyer. who went to California and
lived in the mining regions for some
time with her husband. A long resi-
dence there somewhat took away from
her womanIy graoes, replacing them
with decidedly masculine air.. Yes, T"
she boosted, 81 can ride. swim and
shoot with any of 'em you bet I'm q
dead shot, tro. Never stop to look at
the sight; just hold my thumb along the
: barrel and point that at the mark. Out
in San Jose Valley used to practice ev-