'Kentucky Rosebud' Pleads His Guilt

'KENTUCKY ROSEBUD' PLEADS HIS GUILT Negro Pugilist Admits in Court Keeping House Disorderly on Clifton Street Before Judge Martin, in Quarter Session Court No. 2, yesterday Walter Edgerton, a negro, known as the "Kentucky Rosebud," pleaded guilty to the charge of keeping a disorderly house at 258 South Clifton street. The indictment was found true on February 14, 1907, on evidence produced before the grand jury by the Law and Order Society, which caused the arrest of the boxer. Edgerton's place subsequently gained notoriety through his adoption of a white baby, which was taken from him by the police authorities on proceedings brought by Director Neff, of the Board of Health. Edgerton brought habeas corpus proceedings to recover the child. This attracted widespread attention and resulted in complaints being laid before the police authorities regarding the character of other houses in the immediate neighborhood, in a number of which small children were being raised. The police started a crusade against these houses and had half a dozen or more children removed from their surroundings. The neighborhood was dubbed "Hell's Half Acre" as the result of the disclosures.