[Disclaimer -- Sharing my family history finds, which led me directly to Ottumwa in 1880. Has anyone else ever found themselves "digging and scratching" for Answers? The more Answers I found, the more Questions I had in front of me! What in the world was Smokey Row? The 1880 Census documented the Citizens of Smokey Row at that time to Ottumwa City, First Ward. Newspaper articles were found about that part of the City of Ottumwa and also many news items about the "goings on" and about the different ones involved. Everyone in 1880 (and afterwards) played a part in this interesting and intriguing part of Ottumwa's story through the years! My paternal grandfather's brother married (1st marr) a woman that was quite likely a baby born during the early years of Smokey Row. My research became very detailed and tangled somewhat between the Smokey Row neighbors/and or families. Anyone have any ideas? Please read further and help me out with your suggestions. See my Email address link at the bottom of this main page. My name is Linda and I am still searching for the Origin of Maud.]
Ottumwa Weekly Democrat, October 5, 1882 * * * 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.
[This author is searching for a female child named Maud, born abt 1876-1879. Details found on later documents state her name as Maud May Wilhite, born Ottumwa IA, 02 Aug 1879, altho her death cert in 1951 documents her birth year as 02 Aug 1876. The death cert also states that Jno Wilhite was her father's name. Unfortunately, not much regarding Maud's early history was revealed to her descendants. Maud is the "mystery lady" in my family research. Lots of history revealed among the 1880 Census citizens of Smokey Row, Ottumwa First Ward. Follow the LINK that is placed below in 1880 House / John Wilhigh. There is a MAUD child in House 79...John Wilhigh(t) boards in House 80. "O What a Tangled Web We Weave" -- The NEWS items reveal much, but not quite enough to verify anything solid.]
1880 US Federal Census, Ottuwma IA - First Ward.
House 74 / Family 82
Boon, Lewis, w/m/22/head/marr/Laborer/born in IA
Boon, Elizabeth, w/f/17/wife/marr/Keeping house/born in IA
Boon, Marion, w/m/20/brother/marr/Laborer/born in IA
Boon, Mary, w/f/sister-in-law/marr/Keeping house/born in IA
House 74 / Family 83
Fuinken, Margaret, w/f/46/head/wid/Keeping house/born in IND
Fuinken, Enoch, w/m/25/son/single/Works in Pork House/born in IA
Fuinken, Joseph J., w/m/15/son/single/At school/born in IA
[Many hours of Research done by Linda Ziemann.]
IAGenWeb 2023