Durango semi-weekly herald., 1901-02-04
WICKED
CHICAGO
The Aristocratic Ministers
Gave Up Their Hunt
For Elephants"
Lillian Hartman Johnson's
Hard Boiled Facts and
Social Hot Shot.
CHICAGO. Jan. 81, 1901.

CHICAGO, Jan. 81, 1901.
Dear Herald: When | wrote yot
last did not intend to let century
pass before writing again. I'm Sc
glad there's place where good in
tentions are useful. Satan will have
all he needs for paving and plenty tc
burn.
III begin at the end so you wont
miss the climax. | always admired
the wisdom of the Irishman who ate
his pie first. 1t may be sacreligiou
to speak with lcvity of tragedy. but
the efforts of the clergy to purge Chi
cago of vice of late has been so en-
tertainng that smile seems pardon
able. Laudable agitation to this enc
by the Chictago American was tn,
inspiration to attempt the purginp
process
1t is admitted by loyal Chicagoans
that this is the most wicked city
under the sun. but I'm sure II they
wear any holes by their securing op
erations they'll find plenty of pieces
wicked enough TO patch 1t with
about the size of-well, won't be
personal. This little squall about
vice nearly all the ministers had t
little tin at betimes. II gnye then
an opportunity to 20. shielded by the
strong arm of the law, and see an el
ephant too big for them to assass
nate at long range. 1t was like go
ing to circus. They went, some O
them. and prayed a few rounds til
the novelty wore off, and then they
withdrew to their velvct-cushionct
affairs, concluding after their inyes
tigation that they were not hunting
elephants. The Salvation Army Is
still praying with the sinners. Coz
bless 1t, It's temple is the arch o.
heaven and its affairs the freezing
streets or carpetless and pewless hal
where the souls that need saving are
welcome. Where would Christ be II
he We're on earth today in the Saliva
lion Army ranks or in the steam-heat
ed church of fashion? Carter Har
rison wants to be reelected mayor
lext spring. Conundrum: How muci
did Mr.. Harrison do toward purgint
Chicago of vice?
saw sign the other day which
cad. Strangers and the Poor Al
ways Welcome" so | entered. 1t was
| In one of the most sinful districts
Of the city, | found hall neatl,
kept, with long hard benches for tn,
| sinners who wanted to come and si
| for soul food. | was told that the
| GOOD saint who kept 1t was out. bu
| to make myself at home. What
welcome old phrase this is to tn,
| homeless. There was nothing in ses
| lion. | looked about and read ON th'
walls the comforting words OF tn,
| i1ster that hung there in bright let
| teiing. | wished much to talk to tn,
| GOOD man who kept the place but h,
| lid not come. so | walked on dow
CLARK street, which I was told wa
the wickedest street in Chicago.
The greatest evidence | saw in proc
| 1f this was the absence of ladies' am
he hard stare of the men. who seem
ID trying TO impress ne that ! wa
10 the wro1g pew; but armed will
clear conscience and determine
| ton to find a house of refuge | ha'
heard about, hurried along until
saw the sign. Life Boat Mission
| entered and found klndly-face
matfon in charge, who told me TIL
building had been saloon; that ther
was little other business in that lc
cality. but II had been secured as
place OF refuge for erring youn
women. | told her II was the plac
was looking for. that | was stat
superintendent of purity for Colora
do. and as had not found much p,
rity to superintend in that state
thought Id take day off and Sc
how Chicago was fixed for purit,
She welcomed me with increased col
diality and explained what they wer
doing in the way of rescue work Thi
was kind of library and place q
rest for the girls. Papers and book
were strewn on the tables and e'
erything looked inviting The st,
ries the matron told me OF outrage
innocence chilled me till sat speecl
less. when ! was aroused by the ei
erance of sweetfaced young woma
who had an armful of papers calle
the Life Boat, which Ia devoted I
rescue work. The matron expiaine