The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-10-25

CHICAGO, Oct 22.-Seven members OF
the Womans Christian temperance con-
gress. which closed its sessions Saturday
night, win carry away from Chicago
knowledge of its darker side, which will
no doubt become the foundation of many
addresses in advocacy of social purity
and temperance. The experience which
the crusaders gained was found in a
series of stunning tours. under poIics
protection. through the "levee'' district
Of Chicago.
The party comprised the following
well-known members of the Indiana
Woman's Christian temperance union:
Miss Mollie Hay Of Indianapolis, Mrs. z.
L. Call1ins of South Bend, vice-president
Of the state union; Mrs. Ella Moore Of
Lakeville, Mrs. Emily Tompkins of Elk
hart, Mrs. Addie Fields of Indianapolis.
Miss Leonora Ayers Of Indianapolis,
Mrs. L. Mendenhan Of Richmond, Mrs.
Gertrude Fulton of Richmond.
They were escorted by two detectives
from the Central station and Charles L.
Stevens of the "levee' and r. S. Fulton
of Richmond, Ind. The party met at
Harrison-st. station at 1 o'clock this
morning and at once started out to visit
the most notorious dives. At the first
place they We're denied admission be-
cause too many people were there al
rady, but received an Invitation to come
again, and they would be shown through
the place. At one place all the men save
one fled from the house. This man was
drunk and insisted upon having a dance
with one of the missionaries. He was
finally squelched by one Of the officers.
The trip occupied three hours and at it's
close Miss Hay, who has done missionary
work in the slums before, said:
II have been through every part Of
New York and have seen life in its worst
forms. This does not compare with what
there is there. It is bad enough, how
ever. 1t was an experience which the
ladies who were with me will never for
get and from which some Of them will
not recover for some time Not that
they were made i'll, but the shock they
received on beholding such scenes or
vice was very distressing to many Of
our party. have seen but one of the
ladies today and on inquiry as to how
the rest were received the answer thar
few of them mad slept at all last night.
lHt lIloIludllou SdlHtu VIII ciidtIt lilo
ladies to conduct the warfare against
the evils, against vice and intemperance."
The tour of the w. c. T. L. women
through the dark districts of Chicago
was made known to Lady Henry SOM
erset, ce-president-at-large or the
Woman's Christian temperance union.
Il know nothing of the expedition up
to this time" said she. although /
am not surprised in the least. While
cannot be certain in the matter, 1 take
it that the women undertook the excur-
sion acting on their own personal de-
sire, and not any recommendation OF
the union"
would you not know if the conven-
tfon had taken any action on the sub
ject?"
Il certainly should, and yet 1 cannot
state my opinion authoritatively, as I
have not followed the meetings closely.
/ have often recommended that such
work be taken up and have made a
thorough investigation of this social
purity problem myself. Such an inves-
tigation as this should be recognized by
the union, but 1 am sure that il was not
by that body"