Madame Annie Wilson: "The Wickedest Woman in Dallas"
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MADAME ANNIE WILSON:
"The Wickedest Woman in Dallas"


1843

     Anna I. (maiden name not determined) Wilson was born circa 1843, in Louisiana - possibly in Caddo Parish, as referenced in one of her deed transactions in Dallas County. Both of her parents were also born in Louisiana.1 She arrived in Dallas in 1873, according to her obituary (included herein) in the Dallas Daily Herald, and was married to James M. Wilson.

 

REPORT OF THE GRAND JURY.
_______

DALLAS, January 28, 1875

     To the Hon. Silas Hare, Judge of the Criminal District Court of Dallas City, presiding within and for Dallas county:

     The grand jury impaneled at the present term of your honorable court, at the conclusion of their labors, respectfully present this, their report, and ask that the same be placed upon the minutes of the court, and published for the general information of the county.
...
     We have examined the conduct and efficiency of our officers, and take pleasure in expressing our satisfaction with them.  Their books and offices are well and neatly kept, and but little complaint has come before us of their conduct in the discharge of their official duties.  We can point, though, to the manner in which some of the laws of the city are enforced.  The offenders against the ordinances prohibiting gambling and public prostitution are arraigned before the city court about once a month, a nominal fine and the costs imposed, and they are turned loose upon the community to ply their nefarious trades for, perhaps, a month longer.  This appears to us to amount, in effect, to a license.
...

W. H. HARRIS, Foreman.

_____

IN OPEN COURT,
D
ALLAS, January 28, 1875.

     The foregoing report of the grand jury is ordered to be spread upon the minutes of the court, and I join in requesting the papers of the county to publish it, and ask from every citizen, a careful perusal and careful thought of the suggestions made.
S. H
ARE, Judge.

- January 30, 1875, Dallas Daily Herald, p. 2, col. 1-2.
- o o o -

 

1878-79
C. D. Morrison & Co.'s General Directory
of the City of Dallas, 1878-1879 :

Wilson, Anna I., residence: 1112 Jackson, near St. Paul.
Chamberlin, Kittie, boards with Anna I. Wilson.
Harris, Josie, boards with Anna I. Wilson.
O'Neill, Ida, boards with Anna I. Wilson.

(Note: this is the earliest Dallas directory listing
for Annie Wilson. 1112 Jackson St. was the location
of Lizzie Handley's bordello, with Annie apparently
being the keeper thereof)

 

June 16, 1879
JAMES M. WILSON & WIFE, ANNIE,
to ANNIE E. BEEMAN

     James M. Wilson and wife, Annie Wilson, of the County of Dallas, sold Lot No. 1 of Block 1 of Crowdus & Akard Addition to the City of Dallas, located on [the north side of] Main St. [near Walton St., adjacent to Mill Creek], to Annie E. Beeman, of the County of Dallas, on June 16, 1879, for $500.2

 

June 19, 1879
J. E. BEEMAN & WIFE, ANNIE E.,
to ANNIE WILSON

     J. E. Beeman and wife, Annie E. Beeman, of the County of Dallas, sold Lot No. 12 of Block 1 of the Crowdus & Akard Addition to the City of Dallas, located on [the north side of] Main St. [at Duncan St. - later changed to Oakland; now Malcolm X Blvd.], to Annie Wilson, of the County of Dallas, on June 19, 1879, for $140.3

 

October 1, 1879
JOHN J. GOOD & WIFE, SUSAN,
to ANNA WILSON

     John J. Good, and wife, Susan A. Good, of Dallas County, sold a 90x140-foot tract of land, at the foot of S. Market & Austin Streets, to Anna Wilson, of Dallas County, on October 1, 1879, for $750.4

_

_

June 9, 1880
_

(click here for enlarged view)

     Anna Wilson appears on the 1880 Dallas County federal census,1 residing on [South] Market St., as 37 years of age, born in Louisiana, as were both parents. Her occupation is shown as "Ill Fame." Residing in the household with Anna, was K. Chamblerlain, most likely, Kitty Chamberlain, a Dallas prostitute. Kitty is listed as age 25, born in Illinois, as were both parents. Her occupation is also listed as "Ill Fame."1


June 21, 1880
JAMES M. WILSON, & WIFE, ANNIE,
to A. PIERSON

     James M. Wilson, and wife, Annie Wilson, of the County of Dallas, sold Lots #11 and 12, of Block No. 1, of the Crowdus and Akard Addition [located at Main and Walton Streets], to A. Pierson, of Dallas County, on June 21, 1880, for $300.5

 

1880-81
Morrison & Fourmy's General Directory
of the City of Dallas, 1880-81:

Wilson, Mrs. Annie I., residence: south end of Market.
Chamberlin, Miss Kittie, boards with Mrs. A. J. Wilson.
Gordon, Miss Birdie, home with Mrs. A. I. Wilson.
Wilson, Inez, boards with Anna I. Wilson.

 

August 4, 1881
JOHN T. LONG to ANNA WILSON

     John T. Long, of Dallas County, sold to Anna Wilson, of the County of Dallas, a 40x140-foot tract of land [adjoining Annie's property to the west], on August 4, 1881, for $250.6 The property was previously owned by Kittie Chamberlain, a prostitute, who is listed in the 1880 Dallas County census, residing in Annie's household.

 

COUNTY COURT

     The following business has been transacted:

     State vs. Annie Wilson, charge of keeping a disorderly house; fined $100 and costs.

- November 10, 1881, Dallas Weekly Herald, p. 4, col. 5.
- o o o -

 

1881-82
Gillespie & Work Dallas City &
County Directory, 1881-82:

Wilson, Miss Annie, residence: foot [of South] Market [St.]

 

February 3, 1882
JAMES M. WILSON & WIFE, ANNIE,
to JOSEPH FAHRLANDER

     James M. Wilson, and wife, Annie Wilson, of the Parish of Caddo, of the State of Louisiana, sold a lot, approximately 104x150 feet in size, located along Ross Ave., in H. H. Hall's Addition to the City of Dallas, to Joseph Fahrlander, of the County of Dallas, on February 3, 1882, for $300.7

 

Fire Last Night.

     About a quarter to 7 last evening, the fire bell rang, sounding the first ward, and soon thousands of people were rushing toward the light which was in the direction of the foot of Market street. The fire proved to be at K. J. Kivlin's cooper establishment. The building and all its contents were destroyed. The origin of the fire in the excitement last night could not be learned, nor could the estimate of the loss of Mr. Kivlin.
     The cooper shop was about twenty or thirty feet in rear of Mrs. Anna J. Wilson's bagnio, and her castle came near going.  A number of men got on top of the building and, being supplied with buckets of water, saved the building, which caught fire a number of times.  All the furniture was moved out of the house and piled up in the street, all in a more or less dilapidated condition.  Mrs. Wilson was insured with Dexter & Fergusson, $1,500 on her building and $1,500 on her furniture, in the following companies, equally: Hamburg-Bremen and Western Assurance.  The damage she sustained is roughly estimated at $1,000, though it may prove to be less.
     The fire department answered the call promptly, and as soon as the heavy condition of the streets would permit, got into position to throw water.  There was no water nearby, and steamer No. 1 had to take position some four blocks away and throw a stream through fully twelve hundred feet.  The cooper shop could not be saved, but surrounding houses, there being several contiguous, were saved, and the fire kept from spreading.

- March 23, 1882, Dallas Weekly Herald, p. 4, col. 5.
- o o o -

 

March 23, 1882
K. J. KIVLEN & WIFE to ANNA WILSON

     K. J. Kivlen and wife, Mary Kivlen, of Dallas County, sold to Anna Wilson, of Dallas County, a tract of land, being approximately, the west half of block 425, on March 23, 1882, for $300.8 [Kivlen was the owner of the Dallas Cooperage Co., which was located a short distance southeast of Annie's bordello]

 

1883
CITY NEWS.

________

AN IMPORTANT DECISION.

     Yesterday, in the habeas corpus case of the City of Dallas vs. Annie Wilson, Judge Hurt, of the court of appeals, after having had the same under advisement for ten days, delivered an able opinion on the constitutionality of Dallas city's amended charter giving the mayor's court jurisdiction to try keepers of disorderly houses, the penalty for which, is a fine of not less than $100, nor more than $500.  The case has elicited considerable interest throughout the state, and especially among the legal fraternity.  The court-room was well filled.  Judge Hurt forcibly and lucidly expounded the state constitution, and held that the charter of the city gave the mayor's court jurisdiction over keepers of disorderly houses, and that the constitution unquestionably gave the legislature the right to confer such jurisdiction.  The answer to the arguments made by defendant's counsel, that section 56, article 3 of the constitution provides: "The legislature shall not, except as otherwise provided in this constitution, pass any special law authorizing" * * * "regulating the practice or jurisdiction of, or changing the rules of evidence in any judicial proceeding or inquiry before courts, justices of the peace, sheriffs, commissioners, arbitrators, or other tribunals," etc. * * * "And in all other cases, when a general law can be made applicable, no local or special law shall be enacted."  And that said charter contravened these provisions, he would read section 5, article 11, of the constitution, under the head, "Municipal Corporations," which provides, as follows: "Cities, having more than 10,000 inhabitants, may have their charters granted or amended by special act of the legislature," etc., which provision clearly gives the legislature the right to change the jurisdiction of all city courts when the number of inhabitants exceeds 10,000.  That, after having given the subject a patient investigation, he pronounced the charter amendments constitutional, and would, therefore, remand the defendant to the custody of the city marshal. Defendant's counsel gave notice of appeal to the court of appeals, and will take the case to the Tyler term.
     The case was ably argued by Judge W. H. Johnson in behalf of the city, and Judges R. W. West and A. H. Field for the defendant.
     The decision of Judge Hurt will be of interest to the state at large, as there are several cities to which the ruling applies.  Judge Johnson, assistant city attorney, acting in the absence of his law partner, City Attorney Field, was the first to claim that the city had jurisdiction in such cases and maintained his position alone, when the charter amendments were before the legislature, and the decision of Judge Hurt is a victory for him, inasmuch as it maintained the position he had taken.

- August 30, 1883, Dallas Daily Times Herald, p.7, col. 1.
- o o o -

 

City Court.

     City vs. Lillie Scott, Annie Wilson, Lizzie Hanley [Handley], keeping disorderly house; fined $100 each.

- November 1, 1883, Dallas Weekly Herald, p. 5, col. 3.
- o o o -

 

1884
Building Boom.

List of Improvements.

     Below is a list of the improvements that are now actually in course of construction -- not houses that were completed one week ago, nor houses that are to be commenced next week, but those that the workmen are, this day, at work on to finish to completion.
...

Buildings for residence.

Miss Annie Wilson, south end of Market street, $5,000.

- May 22, 1884, Dallas Weekly Herald, p. 4, col. 2.
- o o o -

 

1884-85
Morrison & Fourmy's General Directory
of the City of Dallas, 1884-85:

   Wilson, Mrs. Annie I., residence: south end of Market, south of Columbia.
   Ashby, Miss Mamie, boards with Mrs. Annie I. Wilson.
   Creolin, E. M. Miss, boards with Mrs. Annie I. Wilson.
   Devine, ]ohn (colored), works for Mrs. Annie I. Wilson, residence same.
   Devine, Sarah (colored), works for Mrs. Annie I. Wilson, residence same.
   Leroy, Miss Lula, boards with Mrs. Annie I. Wilson.
   Mitchell, Miss Bertha, boards with Mrs. Annie I. Wilson.
   Norton, Miss Nora, boards with Mrs. Annie I. Wilson.
   Rickerson, Joseph (colored), works for Mrs. Annie I. Wilson, residence same.  
   Rowan, Miss Kittie, boards with Mrs. Annie I. Wilson.
   Saunders, Miss Maggie, boards with Mrs. Annie I. Wilson.
   Wiler, Miss Jennie, boards with Mrs. Annie I. Wilson.

 

The City Sunday Law Wins.

     About one year ago, Judge [W. H.] Johnson defeated the case of the State vs. Annie Wilson, charged with keeping a bawdy house.  The State claimed that because the fine was $500, that the city did not have jurisdiction.  The court of appeals decided that the city did have jurisdiction.  The saloon men are elated, as well as many engaged in the business, over the result and express themselves as willing observe the City Sunday law from 9 a. m. to 4 p. m.
....

- July 2, 1885, Dallas Weekly Herald, p. 6, col. 3.
- o o o -

 

February 26, 1886
J. E. HENDERSON to ANNIE I. WILSON

     J. E. Henderson, of the County of Dallas, sold to Annie I. Wilson, of the County of Dallas, the east half of Lot No. 3 of Block 55, situated on [the north side of] Main St. [near Lamar St.], the City of Dallas, on February 26, 1886, for $10,000.9

 

Real Estate Transfers.

     J. E. Henderson to Anna J. Wilson, east 1/2 of lot 3, block 55; $10,000.00.

- March 3, 1886, The Dallas Morning News, p. 8.
- o o o -

 

City Court.

     John Carroll, fighting; continued; Harry Williams, fast driving, continued; Lizzie Handly [Handley], keeping a disorderly house, $100; Annie Wilson, keeping a disorderly house, $100; Lillie Scott, keeping a disorderly house, $100; Blanche, Tray, Sweetheart and eighteen others of the same species were fined $5 each.

- March 25, 1886, The Dallas Morning News, p. 5, col. 4.
- o o o -

 

Building Permits.

     The following building permits were issued yesterday by the City Engineer:
...
     Annie Wilson, two-story frame, 20x36 feet, south end of Market street, cost $1600.
...

- July 9, 1886, The Dallas Morning News, p. 8.
- o o o -



_

SANBORN FIRE INSURANCE MAPS SHOWING BLOCK 425
_

1885

1885 Sanborn fire insurance map showing the 3-story, 20-25-room mansion occupied by Annie Wilson. (The red arrow is pointing in an
east-northeasterly direction)
.

_

1899

1899 Sanborn fire insurance map showing Annie Wilson's former bordello, then managed by Anna Pepper. The map indicates only a two-story structure, and suggests that the 3rd story, damaged in the fire of 1898, had not been replaced.


1888

Section of the "Birds Eye View of Dallas, Texas, Looking East, 1888" map, showing
Annie Wilson's bordello, at the foot of S. Market St. The red arrow is pointing
in an east-northeasterly direction.



_
1878

Portion of "Jones & Murphy's Map of the City of Dallas, 1878," showing
the location of Annie Wilson's bordello, in relation to the county courthouse.

_


1886-1887
Morrison & Fourmy's General Directory
of the City of Dallas, 1886-87:

   Wilson, Mrs. Annie I., residence: south end of Market, south of Columbia.
   Wilson, Miss Beulah, boards with Mrs. Annie I. Wilson.
   Clark, Miss Grace, boards with Mrs. Annie I. Wilson.
   Edgar, Miss Dollie, boards with Mrs. Annie I. Wilson.
   Emerson, Miss Belle, boards with Mrs. Annie I. Wilson.
   Gatewood, Miss Kittie, boards with Mrs. Annie I. Wilson.
   Howard, Miss Eva, boards with Mrs. Annie I. Wilson.
   Hunter, Miss Ray, boards with Mrs. Annie I. Wilson.
   Johnson, Miss Lillie, boards with Mrs. Annie I. Wilson.
   Parker, Miss Kittie, boards with Miss Annie I. Wilson.
   Stirling, Miss Mollie, boards with Mrs. Annie I. Wilson.
   Wentworth, Miss Blanche, boards with Mrs. Annie I. Wilson.
   West, Miss Kittie, boards with Mrs. Annie I. Wilson.
   Wood, Miss Gertie, boards with Mrs. Annie I. Wilson.

 

1887
Recorder's Court.

     Annie Wilson, Lillie Scott, Lizzie Handley, disorderly house, [fined] $100 each.

- July 27, 1887, Dallas Daily Times Herald
(Evening Edition) p. 6, col. 3.
- o o o -

 

Trunk Found.

     A trunk supposed to be the same taken from the Wilson house last night, was found in the bottom at the foot of Jefferson street to-day. It had been broken open, but a lot of female apparel was left in it, and notes addressed to "Carrie."

- September 13, 1887, Dallas Daily Times Herald
(Evening edition), p. 1, col. 4.
- o o o -

(Note: the "Wilson house" referred to in the article
above, is most likely Annie Wilson's bordello; the
"Carrie" mentioned, is probably Canadian-born,
Carrie Burnell, a longtime prostitute in Dallas.)

 

October 12, 1887
CORONADO BEACH CO. to ANNA I. WILSON

     Coronado Beach Company, of San Diego Co., California, sold to Anna I. Wilson, of Dallas County, Texas, property described as Lot 24 of Block 42, situated on Coronado Beach, South Island, in San Diego Co., California, on October 12, 1887, for $1,000. (The deed is transcribed below)

 

CORONADO BEACH COMPANY TO ANNA I. WILSON10

Vol. 86, p. 531-533 re Block 42, Lot 24; Oct
1887; Coronado Beach, San Diego Co., Calif.

Coronado Beach Co.
To
Anna I. Wilson

Deed
}
}
}

     This Indenture made this twelfth day of October A. D., Eighteen hundred and eighty seven between The Coronado Beach Company, a corporation duly organized under the laws of the State of California, and being _____ by C. S. Babcock, Jr., President duly authorized thereunder by resolution of the Board of Directors duly passed and entered of record on the minutes of the proceedings of said Board, grantor, and Anna I. Wilson of the County of Dallas, State of Texas, the Grantee.

     Witnesseth that the grantor, per and in consideration of the sum of One Thousand Dollars Gold Coin of the United States of America, and also of the agreement on the part of the Grantee, that no intoxicating liquor of any kind, distilled or fermented, shall be manufactured, sold or otherwise disposed of by the Grantee, her executor, administrators, heirs, assignee, or other person in or upon the premises herein conveyed, doth grant and convey to the Grantee, all that certain lot, piece or parcel of land situate in the County of San Diego, State of California, and particularly described as follows, To wit: Lot twenty four <24> in Block number forty two <42> as delineated and shown upon the official map of Coronado Beach South Island on file in the office of the County Recorder in the County of San Diego, State of California, Expressly excepting and reserving from this grant all lands lying and being below high water mark in or adjoining the said Coronado Beach lands, and all right and interest thereto or therein; and also the right to construct and maintain all railroads upon the streets and avenues laid out. All as shown and delineated upon the map of "Coronado Beach" on file in the office of the Recorder of the County of San Diego, in said County. Provided, always, and this conveyance is made upon the express conditions, To wit: The said grantee, her heirs or assigns shall not at any time manufacture, sell, or dispose of, to be used as a beverage, any intoxicating liquors of any kind, distilled or fermented or permit the same to be done in any place of public resort upon said land. That the said grantee shall not erect or suffer to be erected upon said land any building nearer than ____ feet from the side line of the street or avenue from thereof, so that the residence or buildings on said street shall be a uniform distance therefrom. And it is expressly agreed that in case the foregoing conditions, or any thereof, be broken by the grantee, her heirs or assigns, or legal representatives, this conveyance shall become and be null and void and the title of the premises herein conveyed, shall revert to the Grantor and the said Grantor, its legal representatives or assignees, shall have the right to re-enter upon and possess said premises with the privilege and appurtenances and hold the same forever. And that the said Grantor, her heirs and assigns, in accepting this conveyance or any mesne conveyance founded upon it, agrees to all and every of the foregoing conditions.

     Witness, the hand of said corporation by its President, and corporate seal, this Twelfth day of October A. D. 1887, Coronado Beach Company.

<LS>
 

By E. S. Babcock, Jr. President

State of California
County of San Diego } On this 12th day of October 1887 before me James A. Dillan, a Notary Public in and for said County personally appeared E. S. Babcock, Jr. known to me to be the President of the corporation that exectuted the within written instrument, and acknowledged to me that such corporation executed the same.

<LS>
 

James A. Dillan, Notary Public

Filed for Record Oct 25, 1887 at 4:22 o'clock P.M.
Wm. O. Hill Clk, by L. H. H____, his Dy
Recorded October 26th, 1887
Wm. O. Hill Co. Clk, by W. A. Hudson, Dy.


Real Estate Transfers.

     Coronado Beach Company to Annie I. Wilson, Lot 24, Block [42], Coronado Beach, South Island, $1,000.

- October 27, 1887, Dallas Daily Herald, p. 3, col. 1.
- o o o -

 

Recorder's Court.

     As in a great government, so it is in a great city like Dallas, all classes of people go to make up the population. Every branch of business ordinarily is represented and each experiences flush times as well as periods of depression. The usual monotony of the recorder's court was broken this morning by a heavy docket and large fines which swelled the morning's proceeds to $439.50. The complaints filed and disposed of were as follows:

     Annie Wilson, keeping disorderly house, fined $100.

     The fines since the first of November, to date, aggregate $1,643.50.

- November 18, 1887, Dallas Daily Times Herald, p. 1, col. 4-5.
- o o o -

 

1888

  
     In February 1888, Annie traveled to San Diego, California, on the California Southern Railway, between Colton and San Diego (Calif.) railroad, and was injured in a fall, while ascending a stepladder to her upper berth on the train.

     The case was originally filed in the State District Court of Tarrant County, but was removed to the federal Circuit Court, in Fort Worth, due to the amount involved in the case (which exceeded $2,000), and the fact that the petitioner (The Pullman Co.) was a citizen of Illinois, and Annie was a citizen of the State of Texas. With the parties in the case being citizens of different states, the removal to U. S. Circuit Court of North Texas, was necessitated.

     A transcript of the relevant portions of the district court case (prior to its being removed to federal court), follows the related entries below.

 

March 19, 1888
ANNA I. WILSON to J. W. WEBB

     While visiting in San Diego County, Calif., Anna I. Wilson, sold the east half of Lot #3, of Block 55, located on the north side of Main St., near Lamar St., in the City of Dallas, to J. W. Webb, of the County of Dallas, on March 19, 1888, for $16,000.11

 

Court Notes.

     Six females charged with keeping disorderly houses, were arrested by the police yesterday.  One of the number, Annie Wilson, was fined $100; the other cases were continued.

- September 25, 1888, Dallas Daily Times Herald, p. 1, col. 2.
- o o o -

 

CITY LAWS

---- AND ---

Official Publications.

Notice.

AN ORDINANCE

AMENDING SECTION ONE OF AN ORDINANCE ENTITLED,
AN ORDINANCE DEFINING DISORDERLY HOUSES AND
PUNISHING KEEPERS OF THE SAME.

     Section 1. Be it ordained by the city council of the city of Dallas, That section 1 of an ordinance entitled, "An Ordinance Defining Disorderly Houses and Punishing Keepers of the Same," approved June 13, 1883, be and the same is hereby amended so as to read as follows:
     Section 1. That a disorderly house is one kept for the purpose of public prostitution, or as a common resort for prostitutes or vagrants, or to which persons resort for the purpose of smoking or in any manner using opium.
     Section 2. That all ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith, are hereby repealed.
     Section 3. That this ordinance take effect from its passage.
     Approved October 15, 1888.
     W. C. C
ONNOR, Mayor.
     A true copy.
     Attest:
     W. McG
RAIN, City Secretary.

- October 17, 1888, Dallas Daily Times Herald, p. 4, col. 4.
- o o o -

 

1889
Federal Court.

     The court did not organize for business this morning, but will this afternoon, Judge A. P. McCormick is present.
     Among the suits filed are the following: Mrs. Annie Wilson against the Pullman Palace Car Company for $10,000 damages alleged to have been sustained by plaintiff in a fall from a step ladder on which she was endeavoring to reach an upper berth. This action was transferred from the district court of Tarrant county.

- January 14, 1889, Dallas Daily Times Herald, p. 5, col. 2.
- o o o -

 

United States Circuit Court.

     Annie Wilson vs. Pullman Palace Car Company, transferred from district court of Tarrant county, set for February 15.

- January 18, 1889, Dallas Daily Times Herald, p. 5, col. 4.
- o o o -

 

COURT PROCEEDINGS.
______

Some Interesting Cases in the Federal
Court.

     In the United States court yesterday, the following cases were tried:
...
     The case of Miss Annie Wilson vs. the Pullman Palace Car Company was taken up in the afternoon.  The plaintiff claims $10,000 damages for injuries received by the breaking of a ladder on which she had endeavored to climb into an upper berth in a palace car while en route to California from Dallas.  Suit was brought in the district court at Fort Worth, but transferred to the United States court.  During the progress of the trial, three doctors made an examination of the lady's leg, on which the injury was received, and then one of them testified that he thought the damage could have been repaired with one dressing, while another thought it required two or three dressings, which would cost $10.  This case will be concluded to-day.
...

- June 1, 1889, The Dallas Morning News, p. 5.
- o o o -

_


1889 (continued)

Following, is a transcript of the relevant
portions of the State District Court case:

_

A N N I E   W I L S O N

VS.

P U L L M A N   P A L A C E
C A R   C O M P A N Y
12

 

CAPTION

The State of Texas
County of Tarrant
}
}
September Term A. D. 1888.

 

A N N I E _W I L S O N

4 5 3 3      VS.      4533

P U L L M A N   P A L A C E
C A R   C O M P A N Y

 

P L F F' S   O R I G I N A L   P E T I T I O N

The State of Texas
County of Tarrant
}
}
}
In District Court of
Tarrant County, Texas
September Term 1888.

To the Hon. R. E. Beckham, Judge of said Court:

     Your petitioner, Mrs. Annie Wilson, would respectfully show: that she is a widow and a citizen of Dallas County, Texas; that the Pullman Palace Car Company is a corporation owning and operating Pullman palace cars as a common carrier of passengers for hire in connection with the passenger trains on the various railways operated in the South and Southwest; that said Pullman Palace Car Co. operates said cars in connection with the Missouri Pacific Railway Company and other railways in said County of Tarrant and State of Texas and has an agent and assistant superintendent located at Fort Worth in said Tarrant County, whose name is L. H. Bachelor.
     That said Pullman Palace Car Company is also engaged in operating its said cars on the Califonia Southern Railway between Colton and San Diego in the State of California.
     That heretofore on or about the 21st day of February 1888 petitioner entered a palace car of defendants at said place of Colton for the purpose of enjoying its accomodations and of being transported thereon from said place of Colton to said place of San Diego; that she paid her regular train fare from said Colton to San Diego, to wit Six dollars and in addition thereto paid to the Pullman Palace Car Company the fare demanded of her for accomodation in said car, to wit the sum of Three dollars.
     That at the time petitioner entered said car there was but one vacant unoccupied berth, which was an upper berth, and that petitioner was assigned to this berth by the agents and servants of said Pullman Palace Car Company in charge of said car.
     That in order to reach said berth it was necessary to use a step ladder, and for that purpose the agents and servants of said Pullman Palace Car Co furnished to petitioner a step ladder. That petitioner with the assistance of said agents and servants attempted to ascend to said berth by means of said step ladder, but that said ladder broke under petitioner's weight and precipitated her to the floor of said car, inflicting upon her person, limbs and body, wounds, bruises and hurts of a serious and permanent character.
     Now petitioner alleges that said step ladder was defective, broken, rotten and otherwise unfit for use and the uses to which it was dedicated and was then and there put, and that by reason of such defects the injuries of which petitioner complains were inflicted upon her to her damage in the sum of Ten thousand dollars.
     That by reason of the breaking of said step ladder and petitioner's fall as aforesaid, she received permanent injuries to her limbs and body, having her legs and body cut, gashed and wounded, by the broken parts of said ladder, or other projections in said car; that said hurts caused her great pain and excruciating pain and suffering of body and mind and still does and will continue to do so as long as she lives.
     Petitioner says, that defendants and their servants were negligent and careless in furnishing to petitioner a defective and broken step ladder as aforesaid, and were wholly remiss and unmindful of the duty and care incumbent on it towards petitioner and without fault on her part.
     Wherefore she sues and asks that citiation issue to said Pullman Palace Car Company directing service of said citation to be had on its agent L. H. Bachelor, located in Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas and that upon final hearing for judgment for her damages, costs of suit and general relief.

Ball, Wynne & McCart and
R. DeArmound, Attys for Plff.

Filed, July, 16, 1888.

L. R. Taylor, District Clerk

 

INTERROGATORIES propounded to Dr. C. B. Putman

Annie Wilson
vs.
Pullman Palace Car Co.
}
}
}
Suit pending in District
Court of Tarrant County
Texas

     The defendant will take notice that five days after the service of notice hereof we will apply to Clerk of the District Court of Tarrant County, Texas for a commission to take the deposition of Dr. C. B. Putman, a witness for the plaintiff who resides in the City of San Diego, State of California to the following interrogatories, whose answers when taken will be read in evidence in the trial of this cause on behalf of the Plaintiff.

R. DeArmound & Ball, Wynne &
McCart, Attys for Plaintiff.

Interrogatory I.
     Where do you live and what is your occupation or profession and where do you persue (sic) the same.?

Interrogatory II.
     Are you acquainted with the parties to this suit, if so, how long have you been acquainted with them or either of them.?

Interrogatory, III.
     This is a suit by Mrs. Annie Wilson who resides in Dallas County, Texas, against the defendant claiming damages to her person caused by the breaking of a step ladder belonging to defendant while she was ascending the same to get into an upper sleeping berth on defendants car, on or about the 27th day of February, 1888, between the town of Colton in the State of California and the City of San Diego in which she claims that she was seriously bruised and wounded and permanently injured, causing her great pain and suffering both in body and in mind. Now state if you know anything of said injury, and how you came to know of same and if you had anything to do with plaintiff while she was so injured if so, when, in what capacity, and at what place; and give the character and extent of her injuries, if you answer she was injured.

Interrogatory, IV.
     If you have answered to the preceding interrogatory that you are a practicing physician, then state how long you have followed said profession, and what experience you have had if any in the treatment of wounds and bruises; then state the extent of plaintiffs injuries, whether or not the same is of a permanent character, and the effect of the same on plaintiff.

Interrogatory, V.
     How long was plaintiff under your care and treatment while so wounded and what was her condition during said time. State whether or not said wounds gave her any pain or inconvenience and if so to what extent. Also state her condition when you last saw her; and when it was you did see her last, and at what place.

Interrogatory, VI.
     State what is your professional opinion as to the effects of said wounds on plaintiff during the remainder of her life and your reasons for such opinion; Answer fully.

R. DeArmound,
Ball, Wynne & McCart,
Attys for Plaintiff.

Filed, July, 16, 1888.

L. R. Taylor, Dist, Clk.

 

A N S W E R S   O F   DR. C. B. P U T M A N

     Deposition of witness produced, sworn, and examined the Twenty seventh day of August in the year One thousand eight hundred and eighty eight, at San Diego California under and by virtue of a commission issued out of the District Court of Tarrant County (Fort Worth) Texas in a certain cause pending therein and at issue between Annie Wilson, plaintiff and Pullman Palace Car Co defendant, as follows:-
     Dr. C. B. Putman of the City of San Diego, County of San Diego and State of California and by profession a physician, being duly sworn pursuant to the directions hereto annexed, and examined on the part of the plaintiff doth depose and say as follows, viz:

To the first Interrogatory he saith.-
     I am a physician and suegeon (sic) and I practice in the City and County of San Diego which is my home.

To the second Interrogatory he saith.-
     I am acquainted with Mrs. Annie Wilson, whom I have known since on or about April first 1888.

To the third Interrogatory he saith.-
     Mrs. Annie Wilson called at my office on or about April first of the present year to consult me about an injury which she stated she had received on a Pullman Car; Upon examination I diagnosed it as a complicated contused wound of the anterior surface of the right leg, swollen and inflamed from the knee downward. I treated her for it at intervals for the period of about four weeks, in my office and in her apartments at the Brunswick Hotel in this City.

To the fourth Interrogatory he saith.-
     I graduated as a physician and surgeon from the Missouri Medical College of St. Louis Mo. on March 6th 1883, I gained considerable surgical and medical knowledge before I graduated, while I was associated with my uncle and preceptor Dr. B. B. Putnam of Bucklin Mo.  During a portion of the time I was a medical student with him; he acted as assistant railroad surgeon, having under his care several patients who were victims of railroad accidents.  Besides this the experience of my private practice since graduating.

To the fifth Interrogatory he saith.-
     I treated plaintiff about four weeks at intervals a portion of which time she was confined to her room and able to walk but very little, and suffering great pain and inconvenience a part of the time.  I treated her in my office and in her apartments at the Brunswick Hotel in this City.  I saw her last in her apartments at the Brunswick Hotel.

To the sixth Interrogatory he saith.-
     My opinion is that the chance for her entire ultimate recovery from her injury is very limited and hardly to be hoped for; my reason for thinking so is that, when the immediate covering (perios teum) of the bone is destroyed by inflamation (periostitis) and a part of the bone dies (limited necrosis) the bone cannot be replaced as the "perios teum" (immediate covering of bone) is the chief bone forming agent.  To more fully answer the fourth interrogatory he saith: I believe the injury will give the plaintiff trouble and annoyance as well as more or less pain for the remainder of her life on account of the inflamation of the immediate covering of the bone (chronic periostitis) and death of a part of the bone limited necrosis of tibia) which I believe to have been the condition of the leg when I was treating it, and when I last saw it.  I believe also that there is danger from blood poisoning in a greater or less degree according to the age and general health of the patient in such cases, consequently greater in this case than in a younger and more robust person.

C. B. Putman.


Following, is a transcript of the relevant
portions of the Federal Civil Court case:

_

No. 1217

A. Wilson
vs.
Pullman Palace
Car. Co.
12

Interrogatories to be propounded to
Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Seghers of Cook County Ills.
_____________

Filed February
12, 1889.
A. J. Houston
Clerk
By W. __ McDonald
Deputy.

 

Annie Wilson
vs.
The Pullman Palace Car Co.
  In the Circuit Court of the
United States, for the Northern
District of Texas, at Dallas.

...
[Interrogatory]

To said Plff. Annie Wilson or her
Attorneys of record,
Messers Ball, Wynne and McCart.
 
                   Interrogatories to be propounded to J. B. Seghers
and Mrs. J. B. Seghers, who reside in Cook County, Illinois.

Int. 1st. State your name, age, and place of residence and occupation?

Int. 2nd.  This is a suit brought by Mrs. Annis (sic) Wilson to recover damages for an injury she alleges she sustained by falling from a ladder, while she was endeavering (sic) to climb into an upper birth (sic) on one of the cars of the defendant, the Pullmans Palace Car Co. on or about the 21st day of February 1888, between Colton and San Diego. She alleges in her petition tha[t] by reason of the breaking of the step ladder and her fall therefrom, she received injuries which caused her great and excruciating pain and suffering of body and mind, and does and will continue to do so as long as she lives.  Do you know the plaintiff Annie Wilson? When, where and under what circumstances did you know her?

Int. 3rd.  If in answer to the preceding interrogatory you say she came as a guest to the Hotel Coronado, in San Diego.  Then state when she came there how long she remained, and when and under what circumstances she left? State how and why you know this?

Int. 4th.  Who was keeping this hotel at this time?  If you say you were, and that Mrs. Annie Wilson, the plaintiff, was a guest in said hotel in the latter part of February 1888. then state fully what complaints, if any, were made by the said Mrs. Annie Wilson, during her stay there, as to any bodily injury, or as to any suffering either physical or mental, arising from any bodily injury, or signs thereof you observed her to have, and state your opportunities for observation?

Int. 5th.  State, if you know what parties, places of amusement or public gatherings, if any Mrs. Annie Wilson attended during her stay at your hotel? State, what part if any, the said Mrs. Wilson took in these festivities, if any such there were.  What was her condition, as far as you could observe, as to suffering either physical pain, or mental anguish on account of any bodily injury?

J. M. O'Neill, J. S. Runnels
and L. E. McPherson;
Attys. for Deft. Co.

...

Jan 22nd 1889

Cross Interrogatory the 1st.
     If you have answered that you were keeping the Hotel Coronado - state how many guests stayed with you during said time and if you remember the names and physical conditions of them all while with you - did you examine Mrs. Wilson's wounds if so on what part of her body were they?

2nd
     What business or occupation are you now following and what were you engaged in before you took charge of above named Hotel?

DeArmound &
Ball Wynne & McCart
Atty for plaintiff

_______

In the Circuit Court of the United States.
For the Northern District of Texas at Dallas.

ANNIE WILSON
vs.
THE PULLMAN PALACE CAR
COMPANY.
}
}
}

No. [blank] 

State of Illinois }
Conty of Cook. } SS.

          By authority of the stipulation of counsel in the above entitled cause, said stipulation, dated January 22nd, 1889, being hereto annexed, and the interrogatories accompanying the same, likewise hereto attached, said cause being now pending in the Circuit Court of the United States for the Northern District of Texas at Dallas, I caused to come before me, at my office, in the city of Chicago, County of Cook, and State of Illinois, the witness, J. B. Seghers, therein named, a resident of the County of Cook and State of Illinois, aged thirty-seven, who being by me duly sworn to speak the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, in answer to the several interrogatories and cross interrogatories in the said cause propounded to him, proceeded to answer the same, as follows:-

Int. 1st. State your name, age and place of residence and occupation?.

In answer to Int. 1st., witness says:  J. B. Seghers. Age 37.  Place of residence 30 29 Vernon Avenue.  Not in any business at present.
Int. 2nd.  This is a suit brought by Mrs. Annie Wilson to recover damages for an injury she alleges she sustained by falling from a ladder, while she was endeavoring to climb into an upper birth (sic) on one of the cars of the defendants, the Pullman Palace Car Co. on or about the 21st day of February 1888, between Colton and San Diego. She alleges in her petition that by reason of the breaking of the step ladder and her fall therefrom, she received injuries which caused her great and excruciating pain and suffering of body and mind, and does and will continue to do so as long as she lives.  Do you know the plaintiff, Annie Wilson?  When, where and under what circumstances did you know her?

In answer to interrogatory 2nd., witness says:

A:  I knew the plaintiff, Annie Wilson, as a guest of the hotel that I was manager of, the hotel Del Coronado, Coronado Beach, San Diego, California.  She arrived at the house on the 24th day of February, 1888, and it was there that I knew her as a guest of the hotel.

Int. 3rd.  If in answer to the preceding interrogatory you say she came as a guest to the hotel Coronado, in San Diego, then state when she came there, how long she remained and when and under what circumstances she left?  State how and why you know this?

In answer to interrogatory 3rd., witness says:

A:  She came there February 24th, 1888.  She remained until the 2nd day of March, 1888.  She left on the 2nd day of March, 1888.  The circumstances were nothing that I know of in particular, she left of her own accord, so far as I know.  I know it as being manager of the hotel.

Int. 4th.  Who was keeping this hotel at this time?  If you say you were, and that Mrs. Annie Wilson, the plaintiff, was a guest in said hotel in the latter part of February 1888, then state fully what complaints, if any, were made by the said Mrs. Annie Wilson, during her stay there, as to any bodily injury, or as to any suffering either physical or mental, arising from any bodily injury, or signs thereof you observed her to have, and state your opportunities for observation?

In answer to Int. 4th., the witness says:

A:  It was owned by the Coronado Beach Company, but it was managed by me.  There were no complaints made by Mrs. Annie Wilson in regard to any physical or mental suffering during her stay there, so far as I know.  As a manager of the house it was my duty to be among the guests, and I saw her each day in going into the dining room, going out on the motor to San Diego, and saw her in the ball room, and on the balcony in the evening during concerts.

Int. 5th.  State, if, you know, what parties, places of amusement or public gatherings, if any, Mrs. Annie Wilson attended during her stay at your hotel? State what part, if any, the said Mrs. Wilson took in these festivities, if any such there were.  What was her condition, as far as you could observe, as to suffering either physical pain or mental anguish on account of any bodily injury?

In answer to Int. 5th., the witness says:

A:  I saw her at two balls at our house during the period of her stay there between February 24th, 1888 and March 2nd, 1888, in full dress, unattended.  She walked across that ball room, 120 feet in diameter, without any signs of lameness or indications of physical suffering whatever.  She took no part in the festivities, otherwise than as I have already stated, that I know of.  As far as I could observe, she did not, on those occasions, show that she was suffering bodily pain or mental anguish.

 

CROSS INTERROGATORY the 1st.
          If you have answered that you were keeping the hotel Coronado, state how many guest[s] stopped [stayed] with you during said time, and if you remember the names and physical condition of them all while with you?  Did you examine Mrs. Wilson's wounds?  If so, on what part of her body were they?

In answer to Cross Int. 1st., the witness says:

A:  There were in the neighborhood of 315 guests at the hotel Del Coronado from February 24th, 1888 to March 2nd, 1888.  I can remember the names of a great many of them, but not all of them, and know pretty well the physical condition of most of them.  I took particular notice of Mrs. Annie Wilson on account of her loudness of dress.  I saw a number of young men visit her apartments, and because of this, and because of reports derogatory to her character reaching me, I had determined to ask her to leave the house, when she saved me this necessity by leaving herself.  I did not examine Mrs. Wilson's wounds.

X 2nd.
          What business or occupation are you now following, and what were you engaged in before you took charge of above named hotel.?

In answer to X 2nd., the witness says:

A:  I am doing nothing now particularly, and I was, before taking charge of the hotel Del Coronado, Manager of the Union League Club, Chicago, for over six years.

J. B. Seghers /s/

Notary fees pd. by deft. $6.75
Witness  "     "    "     "     1.00
       "      "     "    "     "       .30
                                      $8.05
                     J. C. F.

     Which answers I cause to be reduced to writing, and they were sworn to and subscribed before me at my office in the City of Chicago, County of Cook and State of Illinois, aforesaid, on this 4th day of February, A. D. 1889 by the said J. B. Seghers.
     I
N WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and official seal this 4th day of February, A. D. 1889.

              J. C. Finch           /s/   
Notary Public, Cook County, Illinois.

...

In the Circuit Court of the United States.
For the Northern District of Texas at Dallas.

 

ANNIE WILSON
vs.
THE PULLMAN PALACE CAR
COMPANY.
}
}
}

No. [blank] 

State of Illinois }
Conty of Cook. } SS.

          By authority of the stipulation of counsel in the above entitled cause, said stipulation, dated January 22nd, 1889, being hereto attached, and the interrogatories accompanying the same, likewise hereto atached, said cause being now pending in the Circuit Court of the United States for the Northern District of Texas, at Dallas, I caused to come before me, at 3029 Vernon Avenue, in the City of Chicago, County of cook and State of Illinois, the witness, Mrs. J. B. Seghers, therein named, a resident of the County of Cook and State of Illinois, aged twenty-six, who, being by me duly sworn to speak the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, in answer to the several interrogatories and cross-interrogatories propounded to her in said cause, proceeded to answer the same, as follows:-

Int. 1st.  State your name, age and place of residence and occupation?

In answer to Int. 1st., witness says:

A:  Mrs. J. B. Seghers.  Age 26.  Place of residence 3029 Vernon Avenue, Chicago.  Occupation, keeping house.

Int. 2nd.  This is a suit brought by Mrs. Annie Wilson to recover damages for an injury she alleges she sustained by falling from a ladder while she was endeavoring to climb into an upper berth on one of the cars of the defendant, the Pullman Palace Car Company on or about the 21st day of February, 1888, between Colton and San Diego.  She alleges in her petition that by reason of the breaking of the step ladder and her fall therefrom, she received injuries which caused her great and excruciating pain and suffering of body and mind, and does and will continue to do so as long as she lives.  Do you know the plaintiff, Annie Wilson?  When, where and under what circumstances did you know her?

In answer to Int. 2nd., witness says:

A:  I knew who Mrs. Wilson was.  I knew her by sight, but not to speak to her.  Mrs. Wilson was a guest at the hotel Del Coronado, arriving there about the 24th of February, 1888; at that time I was acting as housekeeper of the hotel, and I met Mrs. Wilson very frequently, during her stay, in different parts of the hotel.

Int. 3rd.  If in answer to the preceding interrogatory you say she came as a guest to the hotel Del Coronado, in San Diego, then state when she came there, how long she remained, and when and under what circumstances she left?  State how and why you know this?

In answer to Int. 3rd., witness says:

A:  Mrs. Wilson was at the hotel for about a week after February 24th, 1888, and, after leaving the hotel, I met her several times on the boat going from Coronado to San Diego.  As housekeeper at that time I knew of her being there as a guest.  I don't know anything of the circumstances attending her leaving the hotel.

Int. 4th.  Who was keeping the hotel at this time?  If you say that you were, and that Mrs. Annie Wilson, the plaintiff, was a guest in said hotel in the latter part of February, 1888, then state fully what complaints, if any, were made by the said Mrs. Annie Wilson during her stay there, as to any bodily injury, or as to any suffering either physical or mental, arising from any bodily injury, or signs thereof you observed her to have, and state your opportunities for observation?

In answer to Int. 4th., witness says:

A:  The Coronado Beach Company; Mr. Seghers was general manager there.  I never heard Mrs. Wilson make any complaints of any suffering either physical or mental.  My opportunities for observation were the very best, because, as housekeeper, my duties led me very frequently into all parts of the house.

Int. 5th.  State, if you know, what parties, places of amusement or public gatherings, if any, Mrs. Annie Wilson attended during her stay at your hotel?  State, what part, if any, the said Mrs. Wilson took in these festivities, if any such there were.  What was her condition, as far as you could observe, as to suffering either physical pain, or mental anguish on account of any bodily injury?

In answer to Int. 5th., witness says:

A:  I saw her at two balls, and also at the concerts given in the evening. She never took any part in these festivities, as far as I know; she came in alone and went out alone.  During the time of her stay there I saw her walking up and downstairs several times; as far as I could observe, she was not suffering at all.

 

Cross Int. 1st.
     If you have answered that you were keeping the hotel Coronado, state how many guests stopped with you during said time, and if you remember the names and physical condition of them all while with you? Did you examine Mrs. Wilson's wounds?  If so, on what part of her body were they?

In answer to Cross Interrogatory 1st., witness says:

A:  I don't know how many guests there were at the hotel at that time. I do remember the names of many of the guests at that time; as housekeeper I came frequently in contact with them.  I remember the physical condition of nearly all of the ladies who were guests of the hotel at that time.  I never examined Mrs. Wilson's wounds.

Cross Int. 2nd.  What business or occupation are you now following, and what were you engaged in before you took charge of above named hotel?

In answer to Cross Int. 2nd., witness says:

A:  Keeping house for my husband and four daughters.  Before acting as housekeeper of the hotel Del Coronado, during the time mentioned, I was not employed at all.

           Mrs. J. B. Seghers

     Which answers I cause to be reduced to writing, and they were sworn to and subscribed to before me at my office No. 3029, Vernon Avenue in the city of Chicago, County of Cook and State of Illinois, aforesaid, on this 4th day of February, A. D. 1889 by the said Mrs. J. B. Seghers.
     I
N WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and official seal this 4th day of February, A. D. 1889.

              J. C. Finch           /s/   
Notary Public, Cook County, Illinois.

Notary fees pd. by deft. $6.75
Witness "      "    "     "     1.00
                                      $7.75
                       J. C. F.

...


No. 1217

U. S. Circuit COURT,
AT DALLAS, TEXAS.

Mrs. Annie Wilson

vs.

Pullman Palace Car
Company

VERDICT.

Filed June 1, 1889
J. H. Finks
Clerk.
By Chas. H. Lednum, Deputy.
-----

In the United States Circuit Court,

FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS, AT DALLAS.
__________________
__________________________


VERDICT of the Jury in the case of

Mrs. Annie Wilson vs. Pullman Palace Car Co.
No. 1217,

We the jury find for the Plaintiff and assess damage at Fourteen
hundred dollars ($1400.00)

Robt Fitzgerald
Foreman.

(END OF ANNIE WILSON COURT CASE)


Hotel del Coronado

     Link to undated photo of the world-famous Hotel del Coronado, on Coronado Beach, San Diego County, California, in which Annie Wilson was a guest, and attended two balls and a concert, between February 24th, 1888 and March 2nd, 1888.  Construction began on the hotel in 1886, and was completed in 1888.

 

1888-89
Morrison & Fourmy's General Directory
of the City of Dallas, 1888-89:

Wilson, Miss Anna, residence: 777 South end of Market.
Wilson, Miss Beulah, boards with Miss Anna Wilson.

(Note: as large of an operation as Annie's was, it would
seem that a number of the inmates in her bordello
chose not to be listed in the above directory)

 

1889
City of Dallas Tax Rolls, 1889
13

Dallas Cooperage Co., 225 x 150 feet, Block 425, Austin [St.]

Wilson, Miss Annie, 59 x 185 feet, Block 425, Market [St.]

Wilson, Miss Annie, 215 x 140 feet, Block 425, Market [St.] on [Town] Branch:
Value of ground: [$]2700; improvements: [$]3300;
Watches & Jewelry value: [$]500;
Miscellaneous property value: [$]1000


THE FEDERAL COURT.
____

Miss Wilson Gets $500.

     In the United States court yesterday, the jury in the case of Annie Wilson vs. the Pullman palace car company, in which the plaintiff claimed $10,000 damages, returned a verdict for $1400. The court set the verdict aside, but allowed $500, which action was agreed to by the plaintiff's counsel.

- June 2, 1889, The Dallas Morning News, p. 24.
- o o o -

 

1889-90
Morrison & Fourmy's General Directory
of the City of Dallas, 1889-90:

   Wilson, Miss Anna, residence: 777 south end of Market.
   Cavanaugh, Miss Ada, boards with Miss Anna Wilson.
   Daniels, Miss Alice, boards with Miss Anna Wilson.
   Devine, John (colored), porter for Miss Anna Wilson; residence: 504 Columbia, between Jefferson, Market.
   Everleigh, Miss Lottie, boards with Miss Anna Wilson.
   Gray, Miss Irene, boards with Miss Anna Wilson.
   Greer, Alice (colored), works for Miss Anna Wilson.
   Hoffman, Miss Alice, boards with Miss Anna Wilson.
   Howard, Miss Eva M., boards with Miss Anna Wilson.
   Howard, Miss Grace, boards with Miss Anna Wilson.
   Rickerson, Josephine (colored), works for Miss Anna Wilson.


1890
The Lounger.

     Hack drivers inform the Lounger that no other city in the state, or the county for that matter, in proportion to population support as many hacks as Dallas.  One is easily convinced that this is the case who has a penchant for strolling about the city surveying the situation by gas-light.  Drawn up in front of popular resorts for men about town, on the prominent thoroughfares, you will find nightly rows of hacks waiting for customers.  In all sorts of weather, it is the same. There is no rest for the hack driver.  The winter months are the hack driver's harvest time.  Balls, parties, the opera, and the thousand and one diversions of social life means business for him.  Sporting men are also regarded as liberal patrons by the army of Jehus.  'Come easy, go easy' is the sport's motto.  He is a prince to-day, and a pauper to-morrow.  The hack driver has sharp ears and a nose for news.  He is on to all the choice tidbits of scandal, carries the secrets of many a high-flyer in his breast, and as a general thing, is not so black as painted.  Many a first-class item of news has been furnished ubiquitous reporters by the hack driver who, being a night hawk himself, has a fellow feeling for the man with the pencil and note book.

- January 10, 1890, Dallas Daily Times Herald, p. 2, col. 1.
- o o o -

 

THE CITY COUNCIL.

     The ordinance amending the ordinance punishing keepers of the disorderly houses was introduced.  It was drawn by the city judge to cover the defect in the old ordinance, the penalty in which did not conform with that of the state law on the same subject, as required by the charter.
     Mr. Klein insisted that the provisions in the ordinance were too indefinite.  If the object was to eradicate the evil, a provision should be inserted for the arrest of offenders from day to day.
     The ordinance was shown to be in strict conformity with the state law, but it was allowed to lie over until some future time.

- April 10, 1890, Dallas Daily Times Herald, p. 2. col. 1-2.
- o o o -

 

CITY COUNCIL MEETING.

     The city council met last night in adjourned session for the special object of considering ordinances and resolutions.
     An ordinance punishing vagrants was the first introduced.  It conformed with the state law strictly and was passed without discussion.  It makes a vagrant of any person who habitually resorts to any gambling-house or house of ill fame, punishable with a fine of not more than $10 for each offense.
     The ordinance covering disorderly houses was next passed.  It subjects the owner, lessee or tenant keeping or concerned in keeping a disorderly house to a fine of $200 for each day he so offends, and holds the owner amenable for knowing and not reporting that his house is kept disorderly.  It also makes provision for opium joints, and as it is said there are a number of those places in Dallas, it is supposed the police will skirmish around and bring the offenders before the city court.

- July 4, 1890, Dallas Daily Times Herald, p. 5, col. 2.
- o o o -

 

1891
GLIMMERS GONE.

______

Madame Wilson Mourns the Loss
of Her Diamonds.

     It was reported to-day that Madame Annie Wilson, proprietress of a Fourth ward bagnio, is mourning the loss of her diamonds, valued at $1800.  There is no clew to the thieves.

- January 14, 1891, Dallas Daily Times Herald, p. 1, col. 3.
- o o o -

 

City Notes.

     Madame Annie Wilson denies that she has lost her diamonds.

- January 16, 1891, Dallas Daily Times Herald, p. 5, col. 3.
- o o o -

 

The Back Track
[City Council Meeting]

...
Sec. 25. The judicial power of the city of Dallas shall be, and is hereby vested in a court to be known as the Dallas city court, to be presided over by a judge to be known as the city judge, which court is hereby created and established with criminal jurisdiction as follows: 1. To try, hear, determine and punish all misdemeanors arising under the provisions of this charter and under the ordinances of the city of Dallas.  2. To have concurrent jurisdiction with the state courts over all misdemeanors against the state laws committed within the city limits over which the county and justices' courts now have jurisdiction. 3. To have exclusive jurisdiction over disorderly houses and female vagrants.  Adopted.

- January 14, 1891, Dallas Daily Times Herald, p. 5, col. 2.
- o o o -

_


Annie's obituary, as it appeared in the
March 10, 1891 issue of the Dallas Daily
Times Herald. There was no mention of her
death in The Dallas Morning News.


_

ANNIE WILSON DEAD.
________

Once the "Wickedest Woman"
in Dallas.

     Madame Annie Wilson, for fifteen years the proprietress of the most noted bagnio in the city was buried yesterday afternoon. She was forty-three years of age and came to Dallas from Missouri in 1873. It is said she was a member of one of the most prominent families of that state.

- March 10, 1891, Dallas Daily Herald, p.3, col. 3
- o o o -

 

Death Information14

Name: Annie I. Wilson
Date of Death: March 8, 1891
Age: 35 years
Occupation: Widow
Resident: yes
Place of Death: Dallas
Cause of Death: Softening [of] brain
Remarks: G. G. Wray

(Note: "G. G. Wray" should read "J. J. Wray," as there
is a Joseph J. Wray listed in the 1891-92 Morrison &
Fourmy Dallas City Directory as a physician, and living
in the household of Henry Levy (a travelling salesman),
at 405 Young St.)

 

Interment Information15
Greenwood Cemetery

Burial Location: Block 16, lot 12, space 9.5 (NE)
Marker: Stone w/inscription
Status: Grave
Funeral Home: Unknown
Source: Block Book Entry
Notes: Old Interments Book shows this interment as 'Anna Wilson'

Lot Ownership:

ID# 3811 Annie Wilson Block 16, Lot 12 (E) East Half of Lot

(Note: As of December 1999, Annie was
the only interment in the 12-space lot)



_

Here lies Annie...

Photo of Annie Wilson's grave marker at Greenwood Cemetery
in Dallas, reading: ANNIE WILSON, DIED MARCH 7, 1891;
AGED ABOUT 50 YEARS."  Photo was taken in December 1999.



_

Rear of Annie Wilson's grave marker.
Photo was taken in December 1999.


1891 (continued)
EXCERPTS FROM
ANNIE WILSON'S PROBATE
16

Estate of Annie
Wilson Deceased

Application for
Letters of Administration

_______

Filed March 16, 1891
S. B. Scott, Co. Clk.
By T. F. Lewis, Dy.

 

The State of Texas }
County of Dallas     }

To the Honorable County Court of said County
                  Your petitioner James B. Simpson, claims to the Court that he resides in said County and State
     That on or about March 9, 1891, Annie Wilson (a feme sole), who at and before her death had her domicile in the County of Dallas aforesaid, died in said County intestate.
     That at the time of her death, the said Annie Wilson was seized and possessed of real and personal property of the probable value of Eight thousand ($8,000.00) Dollars. That there is a necessity for an administration upon the estate of said Annie Wilson, who at the time of her death, was indebted to various parties, among others to the Scottish American Mortgage Company Limited in the sum of $3,000.00 in whose behalf this application is made.
     Wherefore, petitioner prays that citation be issued to all parties interested in said estate as required by law that letters of administration be issued to your petitioner and that such other and further orders be made as to the Court may seem proper.

M.[?] S. Robertson
Atty for said petitioner


_

THE STATE OF TEXAS

TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE ESTATE OF

Ann Wilson
_
  DECEASED
_

J W Webb
  has filed in the County Court of
Dallas County, an Application for letters of Administration upon the Estate of said decedent which will be heard at the next term of said Court, commencing the First     Monday in ___________
______May_____ A. D. 1891, at the Court House in the City of Dallas at which time all persons interested in said Estate may appear and contest said Application if they see proper.
     

WITNESS, S. B. SCOTT, County Clerk of Dallas County, Texas.
Given under my hand and the seal of said Court at office in the City of Dallas, this 8  day of April  1891

S. B. SCOTT,
County Clerk, Dallas County, Texas.
By      T. F. Lewis,       Deputy.


In Matter of The
Estate of
Ann Wilson deceased

Application of J. W. Webb a
Creditor for letters
of administration

________

Filed April 8, 1891

S. B. Scott, Co. Clk.
By T. F. Lewis, Dy.

------

In the Matter of the
Estate of Anna Wilson, deceased
}
}
}
In Probate
Court of Dallas
County Texas

Application of
          J. W. Webb, a creditor
                                   for letters of Administration
                                               To the Hon the Probate
Court of Dallas County, Texas:

                                     Your Petitioner, J. W. Webb, a resident
citizen of Dallas Co. Texas, humbly shows to the Court that one Anna Wilson, departed this life, intestate, about the 9th day of March 1891, in the County of Dallas, State of Texas -- leaving an estate consisting of Real and personal property of the probable value of Twenty Thousand Dollars, that at the time of her death said Anna Wilson, resided in Dallas County Texas, having [there] her domicile & fixed place of residence:
          That a necessity exists for administration upon the estate of said Anna Wilson because, at the time of her death said Anna Wilson left certain debts unpaid amounting to a large sum, the exact amount of which is to petitioner unknown.
          That said Anna Wilson, at the time of her death was unmarried and left surviving her no children and that none of the next of kin of the deceased has applied for letters of administration upon her estate.
          That said Estate is indebted to this petitioner, among others, in the sum of One Hundred & Fifty Dollars, and all the debts of said estate are unpaid -- that petitioner, is over 21 years of age, and is not disqualified by law to act as administrator and prays that citation issue as provided for by law, to all persons interested in the Estate of said deceased and that letters of administration upon said Estate be granted to this petitioner:

J. W. Webb.

(End of Probate Excerpts)


_

1891 (continued)
Cooperage Works Burned.

     Yesterday at 6:30, the Dallas Cooperage building caught fire and burned. It is on Austin street, near the Missouri, Kansas & Texas railroad. The loss amounts to $16,260. The insurance was about $10,000. W. J. Betterton is president of the company and K. J. Kivlan [Kivlen], manager.

- April 24, 1891, Dallas Daily Times Herald, p. 6, col. 3.
- o o o -

 

Will Rebuild.

     Alderman Kivlen said to-day: "we will rebuild our cooperage works immeidately and start up again. The fire was a severe blow, but it might have been even worse."

- April 25, 1891, Dallas Daily Times Herald, p. 4, col. 3.
- o o o -

 

SUDDEN DEATH.
______

J. W. Webb, the Well Known
Jeweler, Passes Away.

     Mr. J. W. Webb, a well known jeweler, died this afternoon at 3 o'clock of congestion of the brain at the residence of his father-in-law, J. W. Oliver.

- September 19, 1891, Dallas Daily Times Herald, p. 7, col. 4.
- o o o -

 (Note: I've included the obituary for the jeweler, J. W. Webb, as he was involved in a property transfer with Annie Wilson, as well as her probate. I'm of the
opinion that Annie also bought jewelry from him)

 

LIST OF LETTERS.

     The following is a list of letters remaining in the Dallas postoffice for the week ending Dec. 12, 1891.  Parties calling for these letters will please say "advertised," giving the date.  If not called for within two weeks, the same will be sent to the dead letter office.  Application for advertised matter should be made at the stamp window.  A charge of 1 cent is made on each piece of mail advertised. JOHN S. WITWER, P. M.

LADIES' LIST.
...
Wilson, Mrs. Anna
...

- December 13, 1891, The Dallas Morning News, p. 9.
- o o o -

_

1891-92
Morrison & Fourmy's General Directory
of the City of Dallas, 1891-92:

   Howard, Miss Eva M., residence: 100 Sam Cross, south end of Market.
   Brasher, Annie (colored), works for Miss E. M. Howard, residence: 287 S. Lamar.
   Burrelle, Miss Jennie, boards with Miss E. M. Howard.
   Corrrell, Miss Fannie, boards with Miss E. M. Howard.
   Devine, John (colored), works for Miss E. M. Howard.
   Fisher, Miss Edna, boards with Miss E. M. Howard.
   Haines, Louisa (colored), works for Miss E. M. Howard.
   Rowland, Miss May, boards with Miss E. M. Howard.
   Seawall, Miss Jessie, boards with Miss E. M. Howard.
   Stephens, Miss Georgie, boards with Miss E. M. Howard.
   Williams, John (colored), works for Miss E. M. Howard.

(Note: Annie's property was later acquired by Lizzie
Duke, with Eva Howard acting as keeper of the bordello)


1898
FRAME HOUSE DAMAGED.

_________

A $5000 Blaze in the First Ward Yes-
terday Afternoon.

     The three-story frame house at 777 South Market street, occupied by Miss Annie Peppers and owned by Miss Lizzie Duke, caught fire in one of the rear rooms on the third floor yesterday afternoon at 4:30 o'clock.  In a very short time, the roof was blazing in twenty places. The department, on responding, was at first handicapped by an insufficient water supply, and then by the bursting of a hose.  The blaze was extinguished after half an hour's fight, however.
     The house was a very large one, containing about twenty or twenty-five rooms, and was one of the oldest in that section of the city.  Miss Peppers valued her household effects at $2000, and had them insured for $1500.  The house, it is said, is insured for $2000. Miss Duke, the owner, lives in New York, and its valuation could not, therefore, be ascertained.  The loss on the building will be about one-third.
     The cause of the fire is not known.  When first discovered, the flames had burst through the roof.

- April 9, 1898, The Dallas Morning News, p. 8, col. 4.
- o o o -

 

YESTERDAY'S FIRE.
_______

House in the Reservation Bad-
ly Damaged.

     At 4:30 yesterday afternoon, the three-story frame house at No. 777 house of prostitution [occupied] by Annie Peppers, caught fire in one of the rear rooms on the third floor.  The fire department did very poor work and the house was damaged to a considerable extent before the flames were stopped, the entire roof being burned off and the entire third floor severely scorched.  The house is owned by Miss Annie (sic) Duke of New York city, is valued at $5000, and was insured for $2000.
     The household furniture of Annie Peppers, valued at $2000 and insured for $1500, was damaged considerably by the fire and muddy water.  The cause of the fire is not known.

- April 10, 1898, Dallas Daily Times Herald, p. 8, col. 4.
- o o o -


June 7, 1900
_

Click here for enlarged view

     Annie Wilson's former brothel was occupied by Anna Pepper, in 1900, who appears on the 1900 Dallas County federal census,17 along with others, residing at 100 Sam Cross St., as follows:

PEPPER, Anna, head of household, white female, single, age 31, born August 1869[?], in Kentucky, as were both parents; occupation: Boarding house.  She was renting the house.

PARIS, Cora , boarder, white female, single, age 23, born November 1876[?], single, born in Missouri, as were both parents; occupation: none.

STEWART, Myrtle, boarder, white female, single, age 24, born July 1876[?], born in Texas, as were both parents; occupation: none.

WYNN, Katie, servant, black female, widowed (age and date of birth are illegible), one child born, and not living at time of census; born in Texas, both parents born in Louisiana; occupation: chambermaid.

ROGERS[?], Charlie, black, servant (age and date of birth are illegible), born in Texas, father in Alabama, and mother in Texas; occupation: porter.

GRIFFIN, Delia[?], servant, her age and date of birth are illegible; she was the mother of two children, both still living at the time of the census; born in Texas, as were both parents; occupation: cook.  Her two children, one of whom was Sallie, were living in the household, and attending school. Their age and date of birth information is also illegible.


Annie Wilson's former bordello ceased to exist by 1903, after it, and surrounding properties, were bought by the Rock Island railroad, upon anticipation of the company's laying tracks through the area.


S0URCES:
_
1.
_
Dallas County Federal Census, June 9, 1880; 1st Ward, Enumeration District #54, sheet 33, (stamped) page 17-A, line 32, family #394.
_
2.
_
J. M. Wilson & wife, Annie Wilson, to Annie E. Beeman, June 16, 1879. Record of Deeds, Dallas Co., Tex., Vol. 44, p. 346.
_
3.
_
J. E. Beeman & wife, Annie E. Beeman, to Annie Wilson, June 19, 1879. Record of Deeds, Dallas Co., Tex., Vol. 47, pp. 546-547.
_
4.
_
John J. Good, and wife, Susan A. Good, to Anna Wilson, October 1, 1879. Record of Deeds, Dallas Co., Tex., Vol. 44, p. 351 & (with corrections @) Volume 49, pp. 637-638.
_
5.
_
J. M. Wilson & wife, Annie Wilson, to A. Pierson, June 21, 1880. Record of Deeds, Dallas Co., Tex., Vol. 49, pp. 525-526.
_
6.
_
John T. Long, to Anna Wilson, August 4, 1881. Record of Deeds, Dallas Co., Tex., Vol. 52, p. 305.
_
7.
_
James M. Wilson, and wife, Annie Wilson, to Joseph Fahrlander, February 3, 1882. Record of Deeds, Dallas Co., Tex., Vol. 55, p. 33.
_
8.
_
K. J. Kivlen & wife, Mary Kivlen, to Anna Wilson, March 23, 1882. Record of Deeds, Dallas Co., Tex., Vol. 55, p. 107.
_
9.
_
J. E. Henderson to Anna I. Wilson, February 26, 1886. Record of Deeds, Dallas Co., Tex., Vol. 72, p. 555.
_
10.
_
Coronado Beach Company to Anna I. Wilson, October 12, 1887. Record of Deeds, Dallas Co., Tex., Vol. 86, pp. 529-531.
_
11.
_
Anna I. Wilson to J. W. Webb, March 19, 1888.
Record of Deeds, Dallas
Co., Tex., Vol. 94, p. 64.
_
12.
_
Annie Wilson v. Pullman Palace Car Co., District Court of Tarrant Co., case #4533, and U. S. Circuit Court, Northern District of Texas, case #1217; filed together as: entry 48N037B, box 137, location A3006923, National Archives-SW Region, Fort Worth, Tex.
_
13.
_
City of Dallas tax rolls, 1889 (microfilm). Dallas Public Library, 7th floor.
_
14.
_
City of Dallas Death Book, Vol. 1, page 74, line 14. City Hall, Vital Statistics Dept., Marilla St., Dallas.
_
15.
_
Greenwood Cemetery interment records, Dallas, Texas.
_
16.
_
Dallas County probate file for "Ann Wilson," case #1311, County Clerk's office, Records Building, Dallas.
_
17.
_
Dallas County Federal Census, June 7, 1900; 1st Ward, Justice Precinct #1, Enumeration District #92, sheet 12-B, lines 93-100, dwelling #230.
_


ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

My thanks to Alex Troup for his extensive deed record search,
providing me with copies of Annie Wilson's deed records and
probate file, and for discovering her burial location. Thanks,
also, to Raymond Bouska, cemetery manager at Greenwood
Cemetery, for Annie's burial information.


Compilation Copyright © 2006 by Jim Wheat