By 1918, Prescott was keen to clean-up the city's reputation in regards to prostitution. Fines were increased from a simple slap on the wrist to truly punitive amounts.
The red-light district on Granite street was closed down and prostitution stings were begun at other locations including the Depot House. However, on the night of August 4th, the sensitivities of the Chief of Police would be put to the test and, in the end, Cupid would have his way.
"The chief has been making strenuous efforts for the past several weeks to break up the illicit love matches which are being staged in divers local hotels which don't seem to care much what goes on in the various rooms," the newspaper reported, "and on Saturday night one of his sleuths who had been stationed at the rear entrance of the (Depot House) reported that it would be advisable to raid one of the rooms."
They weren't in any great hurry, however. In order to make such a charge stick in court, it was necessary to catch the couple in the act. So the two officers "allowed the guilty couple ample time in which to prepare for their love-making, and then caved in the door and switched on the electric lights." Evidently the couple had progressed a little too far.
The woman "was taken so totally unawares that she did not have time to protect herself from the...gaze of the pair of cops, and lay on the bed a la September Morn or a la Mother Eve or a la Lady Godiva or a la most anything else one could think of that wasn't overly clad," the paper reckoned.
Her male companion was so overcome with fright "that the chief had to take his gaze off the surrounding scenery" just to calm the man down.
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The young couple would have to wait until Monday to see a judge. This gave the pair time to think of their plight. They argued that they were not a prostitute with her john, but instead, two young lovers on a clandestine rendezvous.
To their dismay, they must have been told: That's what they all say; and unless they were married, it would make no difference legally.
So instead of facing the embarrassment, the judge, and the steep fines, the couple decided to get hitched! Although not exactly a shotgun wedding, it was something very similar.
The newspaper concluded: "On Monday morning the guilty couple decided that the cheapest way out of the mix up was to get married, and consequently Cupid was allowed to triumph over the majesty of the law and the charges which had been lodged against the young people were wiped off the slate."
--Daddy? Why did you and Mommy get married?
--We got married because we were in love. Now eat your breakfast!
Love conquers all!
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SOURCE:
Weekly Journal-Miner, 8/7/1918, Pg. 2, Col. 7.
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