Sin in the Second City

Sin in the Second City
Karen Abbott
Random House
ISBN: 978-0-7394-9185-0
Non-Fiction, History
Reviewed by Chris Gerrib

Karen Abbott’s first book, Sin in the Second City, has been a wild success. Having recently read it, I can see why. In 1899, the Sim sisters, Minna and Ada, moved to Chicago, changed their names to Everleigh, and opened up what would be the most famous brothel in what was probably the US capital of brothels at the time. Supposedly, the phrase “get laid” came from a shortening of “get Everleighed.”
Prostitution in Chicago was illegal at the time, but under the protection of Chicago’s most famous corrupt aldermen, (does Chicago have honest aldermen?) Bathhouse John Coughlin and Hinky Dink Kenna, a wild and bawdy red light district flourished. The Chicago Tribune railed against the red light district, including its most famous house. But when a fire broke out, the Tribune’s editor dialed Calumet 412 (the Everleigh’s phone number) and asked if any of his reporters were there. “The house is overrun with them,” a maid replied. “Wait a minute, I’ll put one on.”
At the same time the Everleigh sisters had a waiting list for working girls to get into their house, a number of white slavery rings were in operation, drugging and kidnapping girls to work as prostitutes. Although sorely abused and ridiculed in later years, the Mann Act, which made white slavery a crime, was sorely needed. A tiny agency at the Justice Department, the Bureau of Investigation (the “Federal” was added later) was tasked with enforcing it.
Sin in the Second City is a highly entertaining and fact-filled account of these years, covering primarily the period 1900-1912, the zenith and decline of Chicago’s red light district. It’s meticulously researched yet readable, and well worth your time.