Iowa
Old Press
Ottumwa Weekly Democrat, October 5, 1882
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SMOKY ROW.
Smoky Row is located in the lower part of the city. It has fame. That fame is not to its advantage. If, in the natural course of events, a man transgresses the law, he hides in Smoky Row. When a woman falls from virtue and there is no other place left, she goes to Smoky Row. It always has been so, and perhaps always will be so, unless Smoky Row is abolished. Yesterday a woman well raised, fairly educated, fair to look upon, and born to adorn society, after having gravitated to that place, and tired of life, undertook to cross the river of Styx by the sugar of lead route. It is a fact that she was so determined that the kind physician had to fight her to bring her back to life, and even in spite of his efforts, at last accounts it was an even chance whether she would live or die, the latter being her preference.
Throw the stone if you want to, you who are guiltless. Only a few weeks or months ago this girl came to the city, as innocent and as pure as the snow. It was a soft word, a loving look, a stolen meeting, an appointment at some trysting place, wine, late hours, other rooms than those of virtue, a back stairway, fine clothes, giddy companions, the first false step, loss of respect, down hill to Smoky Row and an attempt to cheat the ferryman out of his fees to the other side. The way of the seduced is always easy on the down grade. The seducer is petted and feted. Throw the stone if you want to, but remember that Him of Nazareth said that the man to make the throw should be without sin.