Adventure of a Girl in Male Attire, Wheeling Daily Register (Article, 1869)

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[From the Toledo (O.) Blade.]

Adventure of a Girl in Male Attire.

At a late hour last night Officer Nally was accosted in the street by an individual who from appearances was a bright looking lad of sixteen or eighteen years, and who informed the patrolman that she wasn't the boy she appeared to be, but was instead a girl in boys' clothing, had no money and wanted a lodging place. The girl-boy was accordingly escorted to the Station house, where she was locked up in a cell with the notorious "Nashville," who was arrested a day or two since for drunkenness. This morning, while in the prison cell awaiting trial for her [offense], the girl, who is black eyed, bright, and quite pretty looking, was talkative and mirthful. She had a neat little song book from which with the "Nashville" accompaniment she sang several pieces, in a clear, musical voice, her favorite one being "I'm Happy as a Big Sun Flower." In answer to a few questions asked her by one who admired her music and black eye, the strange girl said she was eighteen years of age; had been dressed in male attire about three months; had been in this city about a week; came here from Norwalk, Ohio, to which place she went from Huntington, Indiana, and came to that place "from somewhere else," but where, she wouldn't tell. She says she has driven hogs, chopped wood, and done [diverse] other work which is usually the labor of men, and her sex has never been discovered except when she seen fit to divulge her secret. The officers say the girl has stopped at two or three boarding houses here, where, on inquiry, it has been found that she passed as a boy, unsuspected. She claims that her parents didn't treat her well, and on that account she left her home to wander among strangers, in the disguise we have mentioned. A trial before the Police Court will perhaps disclose further facts in this strange case than those she has yet confessed. She says her name is Kate Fisher.