Richmond daily register. (Richmond, Madison County, Ky.) 1917-1978, 1922-01-12
HISTORIC SOHO
DOOMED TO FALL
London's Funny Little Bohemian
Quarter to Be Swept
Away.
CITY IN NEED OF MORE SPACE
Many Years Ago This Section Of
London Was Regarded as a Very
Fashionable Dwelling Quarter
There All Races Meet.

Lonuon.-Dlngy, funny, little Soho,
known TO all tourists and the affluent
half OF the American expedltionary
forces, is about TO pull down It's faded
pink curtains. fold up it's murky lit
tie shops and silently steal into the
nuSty pages OF history-by request.
London has need Of space and, cruel
y, London, has no need for funny lit
lie Soho. In which case that small.
historic prowling spot OF tempera-
mental bohemianS. which is supposed
q have derived its name from the
luke Of Monmouth's famous war cry.
Soho" nj SedgemoOr intends to take
tSelf apart, brick by brick, until It is
more.
Gone will be the window OF the
Italian grocer, lately So gay with
'yirls OF pale green spinach paste.
Ike fine spun spaghetti. the deep pur-
'e OF choice violet liquor. the shiny
'cStoons Of red peppers and the tiny
,lmond cakes Sprinkled with pink
IIgar.
Rich Treasures In Filth.
Not again will one finger and yearn
or the silky rugs from AfchaniStan
nd Persia. the fat ivory elephants
rom India and the blue and gold Chi
Csc enhrniderieS one finds I'm the hid
ZEN dirty corners OF Soho.
Many years ago this small section
London was regarded as very
time trim maids and highly refer
need buffers were giimp>"d no longer
Soho'S naughty doorway~. Bur
i>hcd name plates ana shining brass
hackers began Ia disappear and then.
indeed. II seemed that severe rcSPecta-
iiity had deserted little Soho.
lis quaint. cohhled streets took 10
GRIPPING acquaintance and shortcut
~ through Ire alleys of Sordid neigh
erS meandcriug around IN circles and
citing IN too late 20 clean M FOR din
cr-hut nobody cared. Is bright win
'ows got dust and SCOT IN their eyes
nd grew .rimy from the FOG. bur no
me took the trouble 90 wire them. It's
rrut doors grew weary of keeping
% appearances and >hcI hot tears that
'iStcrcd the paint and uncovered
.cratche> and gaSheS on their neglect
ID cheeks.
It's back doors Sa.gcd sadly on rusty
mi broken hinges. They creaked pain
'u,ly in final. l5itiful protest when
hoy were steadily pushed open TO
ldmlt the Armcnians. the Portuguese
ld the Greeks
Where All Races Meet.
Today Soho Is a rather badly kept
iaunt of bohemia. Turkish. Chinese,
'rcnch aud Italian cafes beclon on ev-
~ side aud are well patronized by
hose who grow weary of too fire.
'urnt English diet Of boiled mutton,
rccns Of IN unfathOmable origin and
asty white sauce.
Not long ago | spent an afternoon
= Soho and found begging rs usual
nd business az least on its feet. one
Jay huy anything from Il prnnyworth
+ Siewed Gels In vinegar lo the last
vord ~ q fall bonnet from the rick
- Wv Nsii lNNf- tiftlA iAtA' aAtA NaNfN
be- curb on certain streets.
The restaurants IN Soho are very
Interesting. The food * always at
rartively served and If the quality
Sn't strictly first class the price Is
me might expect 20. hut doesn't save
my large number Of the elusive slIill-
ngS The most popular cafes charge
Piccadllly prices without n blush or
4 pulmOtor.
Papa. all done up in dress clothes
md a-gleaming-in placeS-ccllulold
shirt front. takes the order. Mamma
boilers II down the back Stnirs 10
mysterious uncle; one daughter bears
il in triumph to your table. and the
other obligingly offers to run out TO
buy your bitter because 1t IS after
hours-anl u. o. Il. A. prohibits the
sale Of liquor In restaurants at GER
tain times each day
But no longer wet the dingy little
shops call one. nor the restaurants
amuse. Funny little Soho is going
away.