Year: 1868

A saddening phase of city life was developed
yesterday, during an examination made by
Inspector Dllks, at the Central Police Office,
into the circumstances surrounding the ennc-
ing OF two young girls from their homes in Bos-
ton, and inducing them to lead a life OF shame in
a house OF prostitution in this city. few days
ago respectable woman, in rather INDECENT
circumstances (whose name for obvious reasons
is not made public), residing in Boston, called
on Superintendent Kennedy, and informed that
official that her daughter, beautiful GIRL but
sixteen years of age, had been enticed from her
home aoout a month previously, together with
another young girl of about the same age, and,
as she was led to believe, both the girls had
been induced to adopt life of shame In one Of
city. Inspector Dilks was given in charge OF
the case, and learning all that the mother
could tell him, detailed Detective Smith to
work 1t up, as the whereabouts of the


girls was then unknown. After a great
deal OF research the detective succeeded in


finding the girls in the disreputable establish
ment of Kate Davis in East Twenty. seventh


street. The woman Davis was arrested, and


with the girls was brought before Inspector


Dixie. The girls stated that they had been


induced to leave their homes in Boston by


woman known as Mrs. Bartlett, who Keeps


vile and infamous den on Twenty second street.


who begulled them with the usual and fatal


promises OF an easy lite, fine clothes, plenty OF


money, and nothing to do but to enjoy them
selves. The girl whose mother had instituted


search for her stated that she had been induced,


In certain degree, to leave her home and lead


life OF shame and iniquity by the facts that


her mother was in feeble health and was


compelled to labor INCREASINGLY tor the sup
port OF the family, as her father, who was
a thriflless vagabond actor, had abandoned
them to their own resources, and the wages
the girl earned as ballet girl at one
of the Boston theatres was not in any way


Sufficient 10 support the suffering family, or
| procure for them the bare necessaries OF life,
| She further stated that before she would con-
sent to come 10 this city with Mrs. Bartlett she
| stipulated that certain portion of her earnings
should be sent weekly to her mother, winch
condition although readily agreed to, 1t is
| needless to say was not complied with. The
| girs came on to this city, and became inmates
| OF the den o. the woman Bartlett, where they
were initiated into the degrading life.of common
| bawds. They remained there but short time,


however, for their earnings, although entirely
| monopolized by the woman Bartlett, were not


sufficient to satisfy her avaricious propensties


and one night, stripping them of the gaudy


apparel with which she had supplied them. she


drove them forth into the street penniless


and with scarcely sufficient clothing to prevent
| indecent exposure. At this moment the woman
| Davis picked them up, and took them to hei


bagnio, where they were again decked out In


fine clothes, and from that time forth until they


were found by the police they remained inmates


of the establishment, greatly to the profit o.
the propretress. The girls stated that the wages