Frances Wilson escapes from jail, 1850
Frances Wilson’s escape from the jail in Cincinnati, Ohio, had one element that was included even in abridged newspaper pieces: that Wilson was born female, but had lived for years as a man and probably had returned to that identity.
The escape itself appears to have struck at least some newspaper editors as admirable: the Cincinnati Enquirer calls her “intrepid;” the New Orleans Crescent calls the escape “courageous.” It is a pretty amazing action: burn out a door panel, use part of a bed to force an opening large enough to squeeze through. Resume the male clothing worn for the last few years.
And never be seen again, judging by the lack of any other mentions of Wilson in American newspapers.
“Broke Jail.” Cincinnati Enquirer [Cincinnati, Ohio] 23 June 1850; p. 2.
A notorious female thief, named Frances Wilson, who was committed to jail a few days since by the Mayor, on three several charges of larceny, escaped from the jail on Friday night last by burning out one of the panels of the door which leads into the yard. She then placed a bedstead post against the top of the gate and forced it back sufficiently to permit her body to pass through the aperture. It is supposed she assumed male attire as soon as she made her escape. She is represented as a large, masculine woman, and has been employed in the capacity of a canal boat hand, and also as a stage driver during the past year. Two other females were confined in the same cell on the charge of larceny, but had not courage enough to follow their intrepid companion.
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