‘Death Traps for the Young Lurk on All Sides’
“Death trap” Market Hotel, by Zach Stern
Plus ça change…
This article from nearly 120 years ago in the Brooklyn Eagle describes with typical reformist horror all the moral degradations to which young people, especially ladies, subject themselves to in the name of fun. Degradations such as imbibery and hatlessness. Though the bars were supposed to be closed on the “day of rest,” the author notes with shrill prudishness that there is not a cop to be seen and when there is, why, he’s watching the show!
Brooklyn nightlife of the 1890s could be confused with that of today — except the cops now actually do bother shutting down venues. But those venues would still be considered “death traps” by the patrons’ mothers, and with the latest style of hipster dress, you might actually see a young man in a bowler hat.
Enjoy the old-timey Puritanistic press lingo. My favorite quote is, “It is in direct violation of the law, and is consequently wrong…”, but there are lots of great ones in here — which ones make you laugh?
August 26th, 2008 at 11:30 am
This is fascinating. Good to know people find mechanisms to subvert social norms even during restrictive times. And how hilarious that the reporter considers having fun to be evil. Thanks for finding this gem!
August 26th, 2008 at 4:31 pm
i like the reference to the “disreputable merry go round on Montrose avenue.” the band Bent Outta Shape had a song that coulda been a saloon rag, “Down on Montrose Avenue, all the awful things I do down on Montrose Avenue…”
August 26th, 2008 at 10:54 pm
Hahaha. i wish the brooklyn eagle still published stuff like that.