We went as a band of missionaries to these dens of vice.  At first an officer would go before us and have the girls pull their blinds down to prevent us from seeing or speaking to them.  We found hundreds of them who could not speak the English language, they had been brought over by procurers for the purpose of swelling the ranks of this vice.  Mrs. Charlton Edholm who wrote “Traffic in Girls”, was there helping to rid the city of this disgrace.  Her book should be in the hands of every girl in the world.  This grand woman has devoted her life work to the rescue of girls.  She is in Oakland, California, where she has a “Rescue Home”.  Any one can get the book by writing her.  I also met Mrs. Sobieski, wife of Col.  John Sobieski.  Sister Sobieski is one who never tires in the work for God.  She is a terror to evil doers.  God bless these women for their zeal.  I found some of the most aggressive christian W. C. T. U. women I have ever seen in Los Angeles, California.  I am glad to say that in less than a year from the time I was there the “Cribs” were closed.

I was arrested in San Francisco and spent most of the night in jail, was put in for destroying a bottle of whiskey on this wise:  A certain saloon-keeper had just finished a very fine “criminal factory” and he wanted to advertise it.  He sent me word by my manager to call and smash this place up.  He had a fine mirror he paid one hundred and fifty dollars for that he wanted me to smash.  I knew that all he wanted was an advertisement, but I went, not saying what I would do.  He had reporters and the house was crowded.  I got up on a table to make a speech, which, I did in this fashion:  “This man has opened a place to drug and rob poor victims.  There are no clothes, no food, no books here, nothing but what degrades men and women.”  Some one handed me a large empty bottle.  I said:  “No I want a bottle that has some of that fiery poison in it.”  I was given a quart bottle of whiskey.  I held it up and said:  “None but God knows the sorrows in this bottle, the headaches, the heartaches, the desolation, but there is no blessing or happiness connected with it.  I will do with this what ought to be done with all its kind.”  So I threw it as quickly as I could behind the bar on the floor.  It fell in with some others and made a great smash.  I said:  “The man wished me to make a hole in that large mirror so that curiosity would draw others into this snare to catch our boys.”  I gave the best rebuke for the occasion I could, then I went to my hotel, retired, and about twelve o’clock an officer came to my door.  I dressed and went with him to the station.  I stayed there until nearly three in the morning.  While there I saw one continual stream of poor, drunken wretches, men and women, brought in.  My manager came and took me out on bail.  Next morning I appeared in court, was my own lawyer.  The case was put off two days, then I was discharged.  The saloon keeper withdrew the charge.  This was done, to advertise this man but the way that I advertise has never done the whiskey business any good.