January 12, 1911  Thursday    Middletown News-Signal, Middletown, Ohio
OTHERS OPINIONS
Of What Middletown Has Been Harboring For Years
  The Hamilton Republican News as one among the many expressing an opinion, regarding what is known as the “Blazing Stump” in this city, has the following editorial touching this resort, which the News-Signal was today informed would be known no more on Clark street. The proprietors having decided to close the place, and informed the habitants thereof that the blaze was quenched and the resort would know them no more forever. The following is the Republican News editorial;
  “Once more “The Blazing Stump” of Middletown is in the fore. This time a poor woman has been taken from this place and brought to Hamilton while the authorities investigate the case to determine whether it is one of the “White Slave” traffic or one of circumstances.
  The woman is reported to have said that when she arrived in Middletown and asked a cabman where she could find work, she was directed to the “Blazing Stump” where she lived a life of shame in order to protect and provide for her children.
  “The story is, of course, pitiful. It is much more pitiful when we reflect that the authorities of this city will permit such a place as the “Blazing Stump” is reported to be, to exist. The fight for social purity is on today. The matter of “white slavery” is demanding attention. Innocent girls because they are innocent are drawn down to the very depths of infamy and shame and if the “Blazing Stump” is the place that gossip says it is, it is time that something be done to suppress it. The name that “The Blazing Stump” has gained is hurting Middletown. Almost every time that the papers tell of “white slavery” cases in this section the authorities trace the case to the Middletown resort.
  Let the stump blaze and be consumed. The purity of the womanhood of this country and the nation demand that such places be wiped off the face of the earth. It is very important that the work of purifying our social conditions go on unhampered. It is important that the young girls and women of America be protected against such places as these and against such human vultures as promote and sustain them.