KinSource - Tale of the Week - A Man In Disguise

KinSource

Minnesota Tales

The St. Paul Daily Globe, April 27, 1885, page 2

A MAN IN DISGUISE.

The Freak of a Fugitive - He Doffs Male Attire and Masquerades as a Woman.

A BIFURCATED BELLE.

A Handsome Young Lady Turns Out to be a Man in Female Attire.

There stepped from the train arriving in St. Paul from Sioux City, at noon yesterday, what to all appearances seemed to be a fashionably-attired good-looking young lady of 20 summers or thereabouts. The "lady" was a pronounced brunette, with olive complexion, large dark eyes and short hair. She was apparently ill at ease about something, and her strange actions attracted several men at the depot, and especially when she inquired the way to a hotel, it was noticed that her voice bore a pronounced nasal and masculine twang. This and other things attracted the attention of Detective John O'Connor, who followed the stranger to the City hotel. The young "lady" secured a room at the latter hostelry, and after she had become comfortably settled Mr. O'Connor sent his name up on a piece of paper and requested a short audience, which was reluctantly given.

A REVELATION.

It took less than a minute's conversation to convince the officer that the "lady" was not a lady at all, but in reality a young man dressed up in female apparel. The former then revealed his identity, and saying that he would have no more monkey business, he ordered the young fellow to take off his lugs and to tell him all about it. Seeing that his little game was up the obliging youth caved in and acknowledged the soft impeachment, and being a modest man the officer turned his back while the now blushing pseudo-damsel proceeded to disrobe and don male attire, a suit of which was found in his valise.

He was then questioned, and stated that his name was Henry Elberts; that he resided in Iowa, and that he had worn the strange attire because he was in trouble and wanted to get away. He said, moreover, that he had not committed any crime and he was then taken to the city hall and locked up on suspicion.

HE GIVES THE SNAP AWAY.

After being locked up he was interviewed by a GLOBE reporter and was found at first very reticent and disposed to keep his affairs to himself. By dint of pesistent inquiry, however, he finally consented to pour his grief into the sympathetic auricular of the reporter, and he unbosomed himself as follows:

"My name is James E. Chase and I am from Sheldon, Iowa, where I have been in the employ of the Hon. O. M. Barrett, a state senator. Mr. Barrett runs a jewelry store and I worked for him as that is my business. I am married, and that is where my trouble comes in. My wife is young and is inclined to be a little too gay, and I could not make money enough to satisfy her. I worshiped the very ground she walked on and when she left me a short time ago it broke me all up. I wanted to get away from that country, and as I was out of money, I took about $150 worth of jewelry and left. I wore women's clothing because I thought I would not be followed in this disguise. I left Sheldon at 3 o'clock this morning, but before leaving I deposited enough of my tools to make up for what things I took. This is the first time I have ever been in trouble and I never committed a crime -- (reflectively) -- but I don't care much anyway what they do with me, as I am tired of everything."

The story of the young man was given with an air of sincerity that enforced conviction and there is scarcely any doubt of its truthfulness. He is about 25 years of age, but looks to be about 21, with a frank, open countenance and pleasing expression. He is very despondent over his wife's doings and this no doubt is the occasion of his trouble.

Upon being searched three gold and three silver watches we found in his gripsack, together with several chains and other trinkets.