The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1914-05-15
MINARD BEFORE
POLICE COM MITTEE
POLICE OFFICER TEsTIFIEs CON.
CERING SEGREGATED
DISTRICT.
Says District Is Closed So Far as He
knows-Gave Names Of Oc-
cupants Of Houses.

Captain Edward Minard of the dis
trict south OF the creek was called
before the police committee last
night TO explain to that body Just
what he knew concerning the segre-
gated district that was once 90
Members of the committee ex-
planned to Mr.. Minard that they had
heard stories TO the effect that the
old district was OPERATING in full
swing as completely as IL did before
the chief issued his orders before
January 1.
Captain Minard stated that to the
best OF his knowledge no house Is
running as a house of prostitution,
but explained that after the chiefs
orders all houses of prostitution
had ceased to exist according TO
rulings of the police judge. He stated
that the city ordinance gives him per
mission and power only to 20 into
any house where there Is disorder or
reason TO believe there is anything
in violation OF the law taking place.
He further stated that unless he
found the men and women together in
very extenuating circumstances that
he really could not make an arrest or
hope for a conviction; that the women
OF those houses. according TO informa-
ton. had the same right to have com
pany as any other girl. He said that
he had Instructions TO pinch any house
where Indications were that prostitu-
ton was going on. lie said there is
no law prohibiting a landowner from
entertaining any person whatever in
their houses so long as they do not
interfere with the rights of others.
Not Operating.
The captain further stated that
there are several OF the houses with
girls in them. but he did not believe
they are operating as a place OF com
mercializcd vice. He cited an instance
Of where several men were taken foto
the police court and said they were
merely calling on the girls lie fur
Their stated that he had gone TO the
home OF Gene Wilson after he had
seen several men enter the house:
that she refused to admit his officers.
He then went to the building and re-
Ceived reinforCements and surround
ed the house. lie said that the VIII
son woman refused 90 open The door.
and that he told her they would stay
a month unless she allowed them 10
enter and search the house. Later
she opened the door and the men were
found
There Is no law compelling the wo-
men 20 leave their houses he stated
and he knew OF no house operating as
a house of prostitution. but that most
Of the houses were occupied.
The following houses were named
by him.
Carrie Williams vacant. Maud
West. occupied. Kit Terrill. three
girls. Artie Burnett. one or two girls.
Lucy Belmont. occupied Dorothy
Nutter. vacant. Pearl Nuttor. moved
away following order but came back
TO the city. Dot Veno. negro. operat-
ing as restaurant Edith Nen. Two OF
three women. May Howard novel
away and came back Nell Downing.
her own people moved tn with her
Ell Miller. two or three girls. Bess
DeRue. one or two girls. Minerva
Martin. one or two girls. Gene I'd.
wards. allowed woman 20 occupy two
nr three rooms 20 take care Of house
Martha Blair. occupied BY foroiEncre.
Anna Hill. one or two women. and
ola Hayes. one woman. BE stated
that other houses in the district. 10
the best of his knowledge. had been
vacated.
lie then explained the thinzs that
they had been instructed 20 do m is
understood that councilman had
made the remark In the presence OF "a
member 81 the committee that the
places were running and the commit
tee was called to take up the matter.