The morning call., 1892-09-18
NOW this IS ALL WRONG.
Messenger-Boys Sent to Dens
of Vice.
SAD STORY OF A VICTIM
How Bright John Roberts Became SIRENS
Dups-A State Law That Should
49, Be Enforced.
SAD STORY OF A VICTIM

That no minors In the employ OF any telephone
company, special delivery company or assoca-
ton or any other corporation, or person or per-
sons engaged In the delivery Of packages, notes,
letters, messages or other matter. shall be as
signed by such corporations, or person or per-
sons, to hire such minors to the keepers OF
houses, variety theater, or other places OF ques-
tionable repute, nor to permit them 10 enter such
places of Illegal or questionable calling; that this
law shall apply alike to managers, superntend
ents and agents Of such corporations, aud TO be
enforced against them.
ANY person violating the provisions OF this act
shah be guilty Of misdemeanor.
Section 1889 of the Penal Code, as quoted
above, has been in operation since 1887.
Has it been enforced?
Very rarely in this city.
Those who doubt that it would be well for
the police to prevent minors from entering
dens OF bad repute would do we'll to visit
the City Prison and view the wreck OF the
young life that has been wasted through the
violation of the State law.
John Roberts, once brlght-faced, Keen
witted lad, is the victim.
Although only Is years old he has become
as wasted and worthless as though he had
INDUCED in life of vice for a quarter OF
century instead of only few brief months.
And what wreck!
Morally and physically his ruin appears
complete His strength fails hourly and his
life is slowly ebbing away because OF one OF
the most loathsome diseases known TO man
kind.
Sallow, shrunken and listless he sits be-
hind the prison bars seeming neither 10
know nor care what Is TO become OIL nlm.
Poor fellow!
He at least seems 10 realize that for him
there Is neither hope nor happiness In store.
How was all his misery brought aboutp
In this way: Four years ago he became
messenger for the San Francisco District
Telegraph Company. A bright, rosy-cheeked
lad he quickly became favorlte among
those with whom he came in contact.
To the lowest dens of vice in the city the
boy often sped at all hours OF the day and
night.
His employers did not stop to consider
the class of moral lepers the messenger was
sent among.
For two years little John went among the
low dens of vice without contamination. In
an evil hour, however. he was sent to room
in a Kearny-street lodging house, where he
met May Russell, an unscrupulous woman
of bad repute.
She liked the lad and would have no other
messenger attend to her calls.
Soon she had him completely under her
control.
His fall was rapid.
He gave up his position as messenger
and lived upon money earned by the woman
in den on Berry street
The youths relatives endeavored without
avail to have him leave the woman and lead
q moral life.
He hesitated until 10 was too late.
He became addicted to the use OF opium
and afflicted with diseases that rapidly un-
dermined his health.
Young Roberts parents recently decided,
as last resort, to have their son and the
woman arrested.
Secretary Holbrook of the Society for the
Prevention Of Cruelty to Children under
took the task.
1t was not an easy one, for the woman
and her victim tried TO evade arrest
They were found in a room on kearny
street yesterday, and locked up in separate
cells on charge OF vagrancy.
The woman's braZen face assumed
bold, hard look, and she refused to explain
her conduct.
She is given the credit Of having caused
the downfall of another lad named Joseph
Solomon several years ago.
When questioned by a reporter John
Roberts rallied somewhat and tried little
to justify his conduct.
"She was good to me, she was" he said
in broken. trembling voice.
when l first met her she was sick, and
/ took care of her. So when | became sick,
and the doctor told me to quit work, she
gave me shelter and provided for me-"
when messenger were you even
cautioned against entering dens OF bad re-
pute or assnclating with their inmates?"
was asked.
mo. We boys were all sent to those
places. Sometimes the smallest among us
was told not to 60 inside, but we did 90 in
just the same"
IL wish / were dead" moaned John in
dull way, 'for knew that there is no more
hope for me" and the lad covered his sore.
shrunken face with his hands.