Los Angeles herald., 1892-03-02
A FEARFUL CRIME.
How Two Charming Girls
We're Lured to Ruin.
A Fiendish WOman's Vile Plot
Successful.
Constable Weller's Good Work in
Unearthing the Facts.
Maggie whiting to Be Arrested Today
In San Diego-The Way She Blight
ed Two Young Girls Lives.
A PItiful Story.

The HERALD yesterday contained in
brief one of the most pitiful stories which
has of late been chronicled. in the item
announcing that Constable Weller of
San Diego had returned to their homes
in this city two young girls whom he
had taken from house of i'll fame in the
baynclimate town.
One girl is d daughter OF wealthy
merchant, whose home is one of the
most luxurious in most fashionable
quarter of the city. She is exceptionally
beautiful in form and face, and accom-
plished to rare degree, her talent as an
artist being more than ordinary.
The other is a daughter of respect
able parents, is also a beautiful
girl, we'll educated, and one who has
always had all that indulgent parents
could give.
Neither is yet II years OF age, and the
story OF their ruin is one which shows
their childish unsophistication before
they fell from their state of innocence.
Constable Weller will today in San Diego
arrest the fendish woman who
coolly planned how to gain pos
session of these two children, and
WHO succeeded in her terrible crime,
and go ensnared them as to cause them
at last to yield to her representations,
that there was nothing else for them to
do but to enter a shameful resort in
that city, in which she was financially
interested, and there become the toys
and instruments of lust, for all who
pleased to purchase their caresses.
This woman is named Maggie Whit.
ing. She has made business OF Turing
innocent child-women to their ruin, and
thus recruiting the inmates OF the
houses in which she became interested.
Some months ago she entered into part
nership with woman in San Diego and
opened palatial resort, which was oc-
cupied by young and attractive women
whom she had ensnared.
She had seen the two girls mentioned
many times together, as they had been
"chums," and noted their attractions of
person and their gayety and brilliancy.
She decided to ruin them and deliber-
ately set to work to make their ac-
quaintance as respectable woman from
the east, who was desirous of making
friends here, and who liked "a good
time" but who was eminently proper.
She managed to get an introduction
to the girls, and did all in her power to
gain their confidence and regard. She
was liberal with her money, of which
she had plenty, and would often take
them to the theater, and then got in the
habit of asking them to lunches and
dinners, at which there was always an
abundance o. champagne, of which
they were taught to make very liberal
use.
At last she invited them to spend the
day at Santa Monica, and had gained
such control over them as to induce
them not to let their parents know OF
the proposed excursion. At the beach
they had glorious time, and as dark
ness drew near the woman took them to
dinner at house which was somewhat
secluded, assuring them that she would
drive them home with the fastest horses
in Santa Monica after dinner, and would
explain their absence to their parents.
The dinner was gem. The richest of
dishes and the most seductive of wines
were spread before them, and they ate
and drank with good appetite. Not e
word, not an action occurred to raise
their alarm, and they were as joyous as
only youth can be. Soon they began
to grow drowsy. Perhaps the
wine was stronger than usual;
perhaps they had got over-tired,
what with walking, and swimming, and
all the excitement of the afternoon.
The woman suggested that they lie
down for few moments while she sent
for carriage with which to return
home, and opening door, she ushered
them into room luxuriously furnished,
and they sank down on gorgeous divan
and closed their eyes and were soon lost
in unconsciousness.
The woman went out, and returned
soon, accompanied by two men, whose
identities will probably be made known
at the trial which will ensue. There
was clink of gold, and she closed the
door on the two human beasts and their
unsuspecting, helpless prey.
The next day she easily worked on
the horror and shame the girls felt at
their situation, and induced them to ac-
company her to San Diego, and there
they remained until Constable Weller
heard of their presence. He. could tell
from their youth and evident unfamil-
iarity with their rsurroundlngs that it was
wrong that they should be what they
were, and he Investigated bit. He
learned from the police here that two
girls answering their description had
disappeared from their homes here, and
he soon identified the two. On Sunday
this humane officer, whose action de-
serves the highest commendation, came
to this city, obtained the necessary affi-
davits from the parents, and returning
to San Diego he raided the house the
two girls were in. brought them to this
city and restored them to their homes.
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