The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-11-03
YOUNG WOMAN TELLS HOW
SHE WAS SOLD To 0RTELL
RESORT BY HER HUSBAND
Clothes Taken From Her
in Order to Prevent Her
Escape From Bondage

A story of how Rock Is
lands underworld operates
was reflected from the in
side in circuit court this
morning when Lizzie Land
retto, self-confessed prosti-
tute, testified in her own be- 4
half for divorce from Sam \
Landretto.
Mrs. Landretto's story brought
prominently to the front the names
of Edith Ortell, wife of Louis Or
tell; Ida Woods, who was killed .
few years ago by jealous lover, an
Jennie Mills, all notorious in under
world activities Even Lawrence
Pedigo. locked out proprietor OF .he
Sherman hotel, was not overlooked,
, his name coming into the narra-
| tive in connection with statement
of the witness that her husband
had threatened to shoot her.
Mrs Landretto, young and pretty.
OF Italian parentage, was brought
to Rock Island nearly eight years
ago by Landretto and forced into
the life of a prostitute, according
to her testimony. At various stages
Of her career in Rock Island sEe
was stationed at the Ortell place.
the Woods place, Mills house ana
later at three places opened at dif-
ferent times by Landretto himself.
She was brought to Rock Island
as maiden but lived with Lam
dretto as man and wife for some
time before the marriage ceremony.
1t was not until immigration az
thorities began an inquiry into the
character of Landrettos mode Of
living with a view to launching de-
portation proceedings that Ian
dretto submitted to marriage. she
declared. Landretto is now under
bond pending the disposition OF de-
portation proceedings against him
as an undesirable alien which have
been pending more than two 7e rs.
Mrs. Landretto's story began
with her first meeting with Land
lretto in Chicago in 1914. She said
she was working in a laundry at
the time and met LandretA- - a
: grocery store conducted by Land
retto's sister. The acquaintance
ripened rapidly and when after a
month I.andretto told her he was
going to move to Rock Island. She
said she asked to be taken along.
Landretto, she said. promised to
shield her by marrying her as soon
as they got TO Rock Island.
| Landretto gave her the money
to purchase her fare and met her
at the station in Chicago. She said
they did not ride together in the
train. but that he Immediately be-
came her escort when Rock Island
!. was reached.
| Meets Mrs. OrteIl.
They were soon established In
rocming quarters at Thirteenth
street and Second avenue, which
place she declared was respectable.
Soon after arrival in Rock Island.
however, Mrs. Landretto was in
troduced TO Edith Orteil. above the
1924 bar on Second avenue and
Fifteenth street, which was then
conducted by Louis Ortell. Mrs.
Landretto said she was instructed
10 make daily visits to tle Ortell
place.
II asked Edith what was doing
that for. and she said, To make
easy money. and your man don't
, care"
Mrs. Landretteo said that Sam
J made it a point to take all OF her
earnings each night which she had
!, left after giving Mrs. Ortell her
portion as landlady. Sam did this
by taking off her shoes and stock
ings. she said.
, How long were you at Edith
, OrteIl's place?"
about two months"
,; where did you 90 from there?'
l. Sam took me TO Ida Woods
place
While visiting the Ortell rescrt
tContinuef on Page Sizteen.i