The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-07-16
CHAPTER III.
Crescent Park as Seen Through
a Woman's Eyes on
Sunday.

II a modern Dante should arise seeking
for vision of the inferno he might as
suredly realize his dream right here in
Rhode Island.
tour of Crescent Park would reveal
to him most of the elements which go
TO make up a veritable den of wickedness,
a typical hell indeed
This Is not a mere figure of speech. but
a self-evident fact, which may be prove~
by all who will but make the effort TO do
so.
The writer recently made tour OF in
vestigation of Crescent Park for the pur-
pose OF ascertaining the truth OF the re-
ports relative to the condition of things
there.
1T was upon the Sabbath day in the
late afternoon and early evening hours,
whom the crowd is largest, and when
everything at the place is in full blast.
BY o'clock an enormous crowd was
upon the grounds, And IL needed but "A
glance to convince one that IL was COM
posed, very largely, OF the lowest strata
of human society. who find at Crescent
Park abundant latitude for the exercise
OF all the powers of the evil one.
WHERE THE DEPRAvED GATHER.
An interesting place was the sum
mer garden" called, but never
large building. open at the sides, and here
assemble the most depraved characters
of the place.
The interior of the building was filled
with, tables, and seated at these were
men and women drinking and carousing.
The appearance of the liquid and its
odor gave ample evidence that II was
the kind of liquor that intoxicates.
The scene In this beer garden" was
filthy, depraved and vulgar in the ex-
treme.
Men and women Of all nationalities,
evidently mingled here in drunken rev.
elry together.
Never had the writer dreamed of such
a scene nor witnessed faces-of men and
women alike-which betokened such de-
pravity.
A NOISY. BRAwL.
Suddenly there was scuffing and
scrambling mingled with loud cries and
oaths and all the place was in uproar 1t
| was a fight, In which number of the
habitues of the place participated. Police
men rushed in and the principal offend
ers were hurried into a convenient lock-
up adjoining the building. Temporary or
| der y being restored, the drinking and vul-
gar conversation proceeded as before.
Such is the exact description OF fire.
| quent Sunday scene at Crescent Park,
| but the pity of IL all is that mingled I'm
| that wretched crowd were many young
| girls whose ages ranged from twelve to
| eighteen.
These girls were drinking like the rest,
| with men and women and even negroes.
DIsGUsTED AND HEARTsICK.
The writer turned away disgusted and
heartsick marveling that the state of
! Rhode Island will allow such a dark spot
t-t .ts." lxxr
And all this occurs on the Sabbath day
| within the sound OF church bells and un-
der the decree of the town council of
East ProvidenSi
| Be this last said TO the shame and dis
grace OF the men who unanimously voted
| TO grant license that such scenes might
| be enacted at Crescent Park.
| stin another disgusting scene at this re-
| sort was witnessed at the giant swing. "
| where men and women seat themselves
| In n sort OF wooden boat contrivance and
| are swung indiscriminatcly together high
| In the air.
| At the summer theatre one pays twen-
! ty-nve cents for decent seat and sees
| n vulgar vaudeville show which has not
| a single merit.
Gambling schemes too. OF various kinds,
| abound on all sides despite the conspicu-
| Gus signs mo gambling allowed on these
| premises."
The thought of Dante might find hitting
| places over the portals TO this "coney
Island OF Narragansett Bay"
Leave good behind
| All ye who enter here"
Certainly a is a suitable hunting ground
| for his Satanic Majesty. where vice Of
| every sort abounds and into which no
4 suggestion of the rest and sacredness Of
l the Sabbath ever enters. In conclusion.
! the writer may echo the words Of the