In Stephenville, Texas, in the late 1890s, any man seen walking with Mrs. Mary Fitzpatrick after 9 p.m. could be arrested and fined. Why? Because city penal code made it a misdemeanor for any male over 14 caught strolling the streets or riding in a vehicle with a known prostitute. Mrs. Fitzpatrick was one such character.
In December 1896, six men were arrested for taking night-time strolls with the strumpet.
From
Sins of the Pioneers: Crimes and Scandals in a Small Texas Town
Published on January 09, 2020 16:53