Phoenix tribune., 1922-12-09
GIGANTIC VICE ring IS UNEARTHED
BYPOLICE OFFICERS in CITY OF CHICAGO;
YOUNG GIRLS ARE INNOCENT VICTIMS
Especial to The Tribunel

CHICAGO Ill, Dec 9With the arrest of Jake Pruitt
agent for of resorts in Chicago and other north
cities the police and welfare organizations believe
that they have in custody the chief of the gang who make
regular trips to southern and cities for the purpose
of Turing pretty Negro girls houses of i'll fame in the
big cities of the North.
The arrest of Pruitt was effected following clear
case made against him the charge of bringing Thema
Jones' pretty fourteen yearod coored girl from Saman
tha Ala to of the noted vice resorts in Chicago
frequented for the most part by white and foreigners
Made Attractice Offers to Girl
The little Jones girl rescued from the den of vice
after she had thrown note from the window telling of her
being held captive by the inmates of the resort The
note was picked by who passed the place. and
1t was turned to the police department Headed by
Captain Hargraves several officers of the vice squad raid
ed the house. and after dgent search failed to find the
girl Not willing to give up the search readily they
nued to 60 through every Of the house and when
they concealed door they heard the crying
OF one, and upon touching place in the wall the
opening readily revealed and there they found the
little Jones girl with hands tied and wellmade muffer
her mouth
The officers took the little girl down to the detention
home and seated in the midst of half dozen more she
told very pathetic story intelligent straight forward
manner. Il was attending school in my Alabama town "
said little Thelma when that there pointing
to Jake Prultt came around and told my mother and
father that he could give employment in silk mill up
here that would pay good wages He said that would
only have to work six hours day. and would be given
comfortable home with nice family When my parents
decided to let me to Chicago notified Mr. Pruitt
according to his Instructions and when reached Chicago
he met at the station We got into an automobile and
TO many places III the until began
and then to the house where the officers found
was greeted by two who told me that would
not have to work. but would have plenty Of money if
would only follow their instructions That same night
fought off the advances of than dozen white men
and three Cinnamon and at time during the night had
to fight off one of the who stayed the house who
attempted to hold me for of the Cinnamon
They called me fool little country girl and threw
pillows and slippers at and finally locked up and
wouldn't give anything to eat The paper and pencil
used in writing the note which resulted in nv rescue was
slipped from the pocket of of the white men as he lay
house took all of the pencils pens and paper from me-
Prutt Through Third Degree
Captain Hargraves expressed determination to break
up such activities has been practiced by Jake Prutt
and with idea of getting the real facts as to his activ
ties, put him through the third degree and the nforma
ton which he gave revealed startling facts to the eff
forts of gang of who operate throughout the south
and lure Of pretty buXom colored girls from their
homes to dens of vice in Northern and Eastern cities
Ptt confessed to being the leader of the gang working
out of Chicago and Indianapolis and gave the of
others who supplying houses in both cities with the
young colored girls
Investigation showed that hundreds of these girls are
imprisoned in the vice dens about this city and never
the light of day after they enter there The threats of
the promoters keep them inundated and for fear of los
ing their lives they submit to dsgracefu practices that
carried on about the houses.
AS the result of the confessions of Prutt scores of ar
rests will be made during the next few days. and the vic
Tins of the gangs living in the houses will be either placed
in charge of welfare organizations to their homes
throughout the south