There has always existed a problem in every culture which is still with us today, and in 1906 when Ottumwa was a large industrial and railroad site — which would never have been nominated for sainthood — concerned citizens of 100 years ago, tripping over stupefied fallen drunks in front of our myriad of saloons and known brothels, were very concerned about the well being of naive, young girls coming to the “big city” for work, and stepping off the train to be met by the “evil one in disguise.”

It was suggested that a “safe, responsible woman be put in charge of those who come into our railroad stations.” At the annual meeting of the Y.W.C.A., this subject was approached and reported in the January 24 issue of The Courier. It was stated that “to our positive knowledge there have been lives absolutely ruined almost within the shadow of this institution (Y.W.C.A.) because no one was present when these young women arrived in the city to warn them against the evil one who met them in disguise and lured them down to moral and spiritual death.... How much it would mean to have such a woman there to give comfort, advice and care to the young women who come to this city....”

Women were a large part of the work force in many of our factories, though barely recognized at the time as being a major contribution to productivity, and then as now, the vulnerable coming to a strange town were easy pickings for those who dealt in the oldest of professions supplying the needed commodity for a community culture influenced by large numbers of transients.

“It is a shame and a disgrace for any city to care so little for souls to pass by lightly matters of such moment.”

That situation, of course, was not unique to our community, and time marches on without missing a beat!

Sue Parrish is a retired museum director, author of the book "Days Gone By,” and current president of the Wapello County Historical Society.