The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-04-16
IMM0RALITY'S HOME.
A STORY THE vILBNEss OF WHICH
is TRULY APPALLING.
A Row in the Old Commercial Hotel
Reveals a Shocking State of Affairs,
Which the Police Conveniently Refrain
From Crediting-Is 1t Imaginary

The old Commercial Hotel Building, on
Jefferson and Front streets, has long since
been condemned as unsafe as ahabitation for
humanity, If not unsanitary, yet certain
class OF people find beneath its roof home,
such as IL is.
or late the occupants Of tho old building,
rs rule, have been from the lowest class, in
the last stage Of moral deccncy, who carouse
night and day about the house, care little
about the demands OF well.reguated society
in the matter Of dress, and when 1t comes TO
rooms, il is only under circumstances that a
mistake in the premises would get fellow
hurt
There are in the ncighborhood of twenty
women in the house whose presence habits
and general character are not in the highest
sense conducive TO peace and good order.
The whole interior OF the building Is such
as 10 call down the laws iron hand, YET il
goes on from day to day and night TO night
unmolesled. More than once have the police
found plenty OF business there business both
mild and aggravated, but still there has been
no fiat from President and Recorder MADDEN,
"Close up the home OF vice.
The latest row in the camp occurred Sat
urday night. Clarence Roberts, who bears
anything but a bright and shining record
on the proper side, got into melco with n
battalion OF other inmates, during which he
took piece out of his brother-inlaw's arm.
A policeman took him In; the trial came up
yesterday morning, and all the opposing
bclligercnts appeared TO testify against the
youth When Judge lIadlen heard as
much against the prisoner as he deemed
proper Roberts began his defense, but met
with prompt suppression at the hands of
the court, after being given fine OF $50.
The young mans, story which he wished TO
tell In open court aud aftcrward related to
an APPEAL reporter, il even partially true,
reveals a state OF the most shocking deprav-
| ity, worse by far than anything that has
come to the surface in Memphis for years.
There lives in the building as part OF
| the motley crew, an aged couple, parents OF
| an understood but attractive sixtoen-year.
| old girl. The safeguards thrown around her
| chastity by the depravcd old people would
not have protected iloa, hence she fell an
easy victim TO lecherous young rcprobatC
who hung about the den, sc ,kmg whom he
might dcvOur, morally and financially
| Three or four nights ago this rascal induced
| the girl TO share his ROOM and since then la,
| kept her close prisoner, taking meals up e
| her Bad as this part OF the story will ap
| pear, II is the silver lining 20 a cloud BLACK
us hades itself. Not content with inflictin,
his own bestialitv upon the young girl, Ia
carried companions there one night 60 tn
/ number of fifteen. according 10 Roberts. TIL,
unnatural mother feigned ignorance OF th,
| daughters whereabouts when informed o
| her dcplorable condition, aud made pre-
| tense ol Indignation, followed by demanl
upon those In charge of the house for he
| release.
| An AITEAL reporter visited the house {,
| investigate the charges made by Roberts am
called for the old hag bearing unworthy
the name Mother" She came TO the door
closing Il after her, aud held on like grin
death TO the knob 10 prevent some one OF
the inside, and trying hard 10 get ont, frou
doing 40. She would make no disclosure
whatever, and the surroundings were sucl
rs 20 preclude further investigation at IN
time.
| The police refuse 10 credit the story O
Roberts. simply because he Is known q
them. but have taken no steps 10 verify q
disprove IT, The reporter saw enough &
warrant interference By the alleged prcscry
en- Of law and order whether Roberts foun
foundation for the story only Ia his in
agination or not immortality rcigns M
prcme In there, aud, to give II lcst, placar
over the lar boldly announces This la
Il open day and night"