San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1892-07-01
DOUBTFUL CREDIT.
one OFT Institutions on San Pedro
Avenue Visited by a Light
ReDOrter


San Pedro avenue is one of the mo,
beautiful avenues of our city and hs
nothing but nice residences on il. say
one or Two nuts, which are indeed dis
grace to the city. One of these nIaces
occupied by an old colored woman. who
supposed to be conducting a home fo
chlluren or unknown parentage and
place TO care for women who are either /
state OF confinement or who expect I
be.
A reporter for the LIGHT was strollin
along San Pedro avenue yesterday nea
TINS place when he met an acuuaintanc
who made mention of the fact that an al
aroundloW dive was being conducted a,
TINS supposed county home. The reDorte
then called at the place and asked to Sc,
the lady in charge. Although she is ;
MISS, her several daughters met him al
the door and invited him in to have a
seat, oqt on account of the filth, it was
more pleasant TO remain outside on the
gallery, where the fresh breezes wOnld
take away portion of the offensive odor.
WINE waiting for the arrival of the pro-
prletreSS, cry from the extreme end OF
the gallery attracte1 the attention of the
reporter, and on looking around, he saw
~, % little white babies, both under the
No with o,,s. cloths, slop and general
rubbish. This alonu was sad and
pitiful sight. They have neither known
parents, and are to be reared
in way which is death even to view.
Miss Dennison, the proprietress, then
made her appear ence and the reporter
made known the object of his cali. She
took him through the entire house and
pointed out all of the different inmates,
giving short history OF each during their
stay with her.
Seated at the side of the house on a
CHAIR, covered with blankets, was a
woman Of about twenty-five years OF age,
who had, from all appearances, been quite
accomplished at one time during her life
She was gasping for breath, and when a
close glance was taken the visitor noticed
that her face was marked with all kinds
of evil signs, her hair out in places, and
her eyes looked like pieces of glass. A
statement was made then to the effect
that she is at this place as last resort
and hoping and praying each day for
death. She is one of the worst sufferers from
filthy disease ever seen In this city. In
the sitting room, which has the appear
ance of a stall for horses, were seated a
number of tough looking negro women,
seemingly enjoying themselves among
Stops, etc, which made carpet for that
apartment. In little SX10 room in the
rear was an old man of weak mind who is
about sixty years of age. He is almost
helpless, his feet being as large around as
his body. His room is furnished with an
old box for a chair aud an old cot with
one or two pieces of bed clothing, which,
judging from their looks. have not come
in contact with a wash tub since the late
war. Here resides this old man, suffering
from he effects of vices, patiently waiting |
70 enter into the other world
Going through the yard to the rear
building. where all Of the young girls stay |
pnlnrp0
were noticed on the gallery. One had |
given birth TO a child a short time before |
and the other was in deep distress wait |
ing.
Oae of the SaddeSt sights viewed while
there was that Of nice looking white
girl of twenty years seated in one of the |
rooms of the rear building, crying as i'll
her heart would break. She had been
wrOnged by rich man who sent her to
this place to be cared for during confine
ment and who has not, since that time.
even inquired as to how the poor girl was
getting along. In her arms was bright
little baby girl, and the scene, homeless |
mother and baby, was one which would /
touch a heart of stone.
After visit was made to every room |
in the house, Miss DenniSOn produced the |
record book which shows that PAT chill |
dren have been born from single women |
since 1884. Many OF these are negroes
SOme WHITES, WIFI dn OCCdSlOndl
Mexican mixed in.
When asked what was this place run
for, how was it supported, etc, Miss Den |
rsOn made the following statement:
well. the county pays in about 500 a |
year. This is place for women to give
birth to children, a place for prostitutes
who have reached the point in life when |
they cannot wait on themselves"
How can you support so many people |
on the 800 per year paid in by the coun- |
typ asked the reporter.
Il don try to do IL on that amount. | |
take in girls here who are to be confined |
and in many cases, get as high as $50 from |
the men who send them. Then | have |
some girls here who pay their board and |
all together manage to make the thing |
60"
Answers to several questions put to |
Miss DennisOn in a personal way, clearly |
convinced the reporter that that place
could be used by midnight callers, had
they occasion to dispose Of spare change.
This place is of the lowest order, and
while 1t has done some little good in
charitable way, it is also a place for low
prostitutes to conceal their diabolical
actions.
San Antonio is city which it's citizens
should be proud of, and it has reputa-
tiOn all over the United States
as being one of the healthiest,
in this country. Why should its high
Stending be lowered by such dens OF
iniquity. Such places are not only de-
triment to the city, but have a degrading
influence over the youth of that portion
OF the city. If places of this kind must
be permitted to exist, an advisable plan
would be to locate it in some lonesome
portion of the city where respt ctable peo
pie can pass without having to use per-
tuned handkerchiefS and without being |,
attracted by sights too awful to think of.
Most Likely.
Rivers-You say your right eye is
not strong? I'll trade YOU my weak |