The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-01-08
SOCIETY WOMEN
HARD GAMBLERS
Some ST. Louis Members Of the
Upper Ten Lose $500 a Week
THEY SMOKE CIGARETTES.
Hard Drinkers, Too, Some Of Them. Says
Mrs, |. |. Silva, Once a Wealthy
Member Of Society.
THEY SMOKE CIGARETTES.

q. Louis, Jan. s.-Most OF the society
women Of this city declare that whatever
the conditions may be in Philadelphia the
women OF st. Louis are not addicted to
gambling, cigarette smoking and wine
bibbing. A notable exception, however. is
Mrs. l.. ]. Silva, OF loll North Whittier
street She was once prominent hgure
in the society world, and since the loss OF
her fortune has been a successful archi-
tect Mrs. Silva said:
"I am sure that the conditions COM
planned OF by the Rev. Mr. Richardson
are growing more and more apparent
here While l do not go out much nova
days i know Il 10 be fact that gam
bling is increasing among the women VINO
move in what is known as good society
/ could name 800 women or 81 Louis VINO
belong 10 clubs which meet weekly or Of
tener for the sole purpose OF playing
poker and bridge whist. Large stakes are
playcd for at these meetings ana hard
feelings sometimes prevail.
'.I know women who are accustomed 10
winning or losing as much az 800 a week
at poker parties. also know women who
have been obliged 10 pawn their jewels 10
pay their poker debts or 20 pay their
dressnakers bills because they had lost
at gambling the money their husbands
had given them 10 settle their accounts.
"At these gambling parties cocktails,
toddies brandies. wines and beer are Inn
bibed by 80 per cent of the women who
belong TO the morning, afternoon ana
evening whist and poker clubs. IL is quite
common for fashionable women y take
'bracers' on arising I'm the morning.
while preparing for the theatre or the
ball and 'night-caps' on retiring.
"It IS a matter OF record that agents
OF the anti-wine crusade who kept detec-
tives stationed for days I'm front OF a
downtown wonran's saloon reported that
between the hours OF III n m. and l2:5o
D. m, the shopping hours. an average OF
more than 1000 women passed In and out
of the place. Ninety-eight per cent OF
these women plainly belonged TO the bet
ter class and were fashionably or richly
attired. The great majority OF thou
sands OF women who go there every day
drink Intoxicating liquors.
"As for tobacco the most conclusive
proof 10 my mind. that the cigarette
habit is growing among women is that
the Union station management has been
obliged to issue an order prohibiting the
smoking of cigarettes in the ladies' with
drawing room at the station, which Is
ireuuented by the better class Of women
travellers. the emigrant class being denied
admittance 10 this luxurious resting
place"
MrS. marSnall =. SuoW, Oh W 4Noi'h
Spring avenue, said:
Members OF the younger set here are
not addicted to either smoking or drink
ing The charges made by Mr. Richard
son are. so far as St. Louis is concerned,
groundless."
Mrs Bertha wahl Arnold OF 1852 Evans
avenue, defended the younger society
women In this city. She was positive
that such conditions do not prevail here.
Mrs John Il Triplett OF 3S47 West Pine
Boulevard said the statements made by
the Philadelphia minister were without
foundation when applied to ST. Louis.
Mrs Rudolph Limberg. Of 110s Dillon
street. expressed disbelief in the allega-
tions g-ade by the minister.