Kept A "Hell of Iniquity", Evening Star (Article, 1896)

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KEPT A "HELL OF INIQUITY."

Judge Kimball Sends Dorsey Swan Down for Ten Months.

William Dorsey Swan, the colored man at whose house, No. 1504 L street northwest, a "drag" was raided about two weeks ago, and who was convicted in the Police Court last week of a charge of keeping a disorderly house, was sentenced to ten months in jail by Judge Miller today. This is the case in which a number of men, white and colored, were found in this place, which Judge Miller characterized as a "hell of iniquity." There were several colored men and one white man reported to be of the character of Swan, and during the trial the case in court there appeared young men of respectable parentage who told of how they had visited this place, danced and indulged in strong drink of all kinds, from beer to champagne.

A large stock of liquors found on the premises was in court as evidence, but Dorsey said that he didn't have to buy the liquor.

In disposing of the case Judge Miller told of the fearful revelations made at the trial, the downfall and ruin of young men, and said he only wished he had power to impose a ten years' sentence.

"I would like to send you where you would never again see a man's face," said the judge, "and would then like to rid the city of all other disreputable persons of the same kind. Thieving and petty assaults amount to nothing as compared with the conduct of these people."

Mr. Mullowny, for the prosecution, asked for a year's sentence, but this the court did not impose, but gave him ten months.