Adventures in Baltimore, 1855, 1856, & 1862

“A Hard Case.” Boston Evening Transcript [Boston, Massachusetts] 13 December 1855; p. 4.

The Albany Register says there is in that city a young man, seventeen years of age, possessing a voice and face so strikingly feminine, with some resemblance in gait and manner to a female, that he is often mistaken for a female in male attire. He is often molested by rowdies, who mistake him for a female, and he has been obliged to obtain a certificate as to his sex from the Chief of Police to insure himself from suspicion and arrest. The Register says that a brother of the young man possesses the same feminine countenance and voice, while his sister has a masculine face and voice. He has frequently assumed female attire, and feels at ease in that dress—indeed is less liable to attract attention in that costume than in the one belonging to him. If all this is correct, the beautiful young man must have a hard time of it.

“An Adventure.” Baltimore Sun [Baltimore, Maryland] 25 January 1856; p. 1.

About ten o’clock on Wednesday night watchman Benner had his attention called by a gentleman to a person attired in male costume, who accosted him on the corner of Baltimore and Harrison streets, and who he suspected was a female. As there is an existing law forbidding such an act, he arrested the party, and an examination at the middle station house resulted in the acknowledgment that the accused was a woman. She seemed to be about 20 years of age, and from her manners and conversation evidenced the accomplishments of a well educated lady. She stated that her parents resided in Albany, and that she had been induced to visit Baltimore on account of “a love affair.” Captain Mitchell detained her until yesterday morning, and acquainted Mayor Hinks of the facts. The Mayor had an interview with the young woman, kindly supplied her with clothing pertaining to her sex, and after providing every comfort possible, concluded it advisable to send her to her parents. High Constable Herring, therefore, took her in charge, and both left last night in the cars.

“Restored to Her Parents.” Baltimore Sun [Baltimore, Maryland] 29 January 1856; p. 1.

A few days since was published the facts of a young woman having been arrested in male attire, by watchman Benner, that action being a violation of law in this State. Also, that upon a consideration of all the particulars attending the case Mayor Hinks had determined to send her to her parents, who reside in Albany, under the protection of high constable Herring. This was done, and the officer has returned, giving the Mayor a detailed account of his mission. He says that the young lady, who is about nineteen years of age, and very handsome and accomplished, seemed anxious to reach her home, and would not stop an hour in New York for refreshments and rest; that he was kindly received by the mother of the adventurer, who expressed gratitude for his kindness to her daughter, and that what he learned from her confirmed the statements already published as to the object which induced her to leave home.

“Women in Men’s Clothes.” Evening Star [Washington, DC] 10 September 1856; p. 3.

A great buzz was created on Twelfth street do day by the appearance of two young women in men’s clothes, who had been arrested on the street and were taken to Justice Clark’s office. They said they were from Philadelphia, and gave their names as Charles L. Moore and Charles Walters. One of them concealed her face while at the office, as if with some sense of shame; but the other was quite talkative, and seemed rather to glory in her position. They were committed to jail for further examination.

“The Two Charleys.” Evening Star [Washington, DC] 11 September 1856; p. 3.

We, yesterday, barely had room to chronicle the fact that two persons, clad in male attire, under the names of Charles Walters and Charles L. Moore, and suspected of being women, were arrested, and having been brought before Justice Clarke, were by him committed to jail for a further examination.

When these “women”—we wish it to be distinctly understood however, that we cannot vouch for the fact that they are of the female kind—were brought into the presence of the Justice, the room was immediately crowded with impatient spectators, white and black, adults and lads; for when a sight is worth seeing the people hasten to its enjoyment. As an item was at that time procurable, we, of course, as in duty bound, were in attendance. Having industriously worked our way through the mass of human flesh, we were, fortunately, successful in reaching the height of our desire; namely, a backless chair, from which we could look unobscuredly upon the scene before us, to say nothing of the young ones clinging to our back and looking over our shoulders.

The boys and men near the door were boisterously passing their rude comments upon the prisoners, being unable, from the density of the throng, to approach the rail, behind which Justice, represented in the person of a venerable gentleman in specs, and the female-men, were temporarily accommodated.

It is scarcely necessary to relate, with minuteness, how little boys were “lifted up” by their older friends “to see;” how others got upon the shoulders of their companions, in turns, “just for a single peep;” and how a dozen full-grown men obtained footing on two chairs, in proximity, to catch a good view over both straight hair and “woolly heads”—for, we repeat, the colored population were there largely represented. Good humor prevailed, and great confusion too.

One of the disguised women occupied an humble position, but did not “look like Patience upon a monument, smiling at grief.” On the contrary, she seemed to avert her face from the “vulgar gaze,” and drew her black glazed cap low down over the forehead. Owing to this the spectators had no opportunity to scan her features and to pronounce their opinion upon her physiognomy. The other, however, was more exposed to view, and occupied a standing position on the right of the justice. She was in the full rig of a man, like her companion in custody, and it was especially noticed by a son of toil, who had no collar to his shirt, how tastefully she had tied her neckerchief! To use her own expression, the heat in the room was responsible for taking the starch out of her collar, (which was disposed a la Byron,) and this remark was regarded by the hearers as fully entitled to a hearty and honest outburst of laughter. She at times appeared to be a little shy—and no wonder, for at least two hundred eyes were gazine upon her—while she strongly protested against being detained, declaring that she was A MAN! She said she would convince any physician of this fact; but when one was sent for, she, like a prudent female, changed her mind. The justice, with his well known gallantry, treated the couple with all the delicady due to their (supposed) sex.

The Justice said, in a tone loud enough to be heard by everybody, that if they could produce proof that they were reputable women, he would release them but being strangers, (and we know of no other reason,) they could not satisfy the demand. They were then placed in the charge of an officer, and committed to jail for a further examination. The crowd rushed from the office to see the illustrious strangers hacked to the blue walled tenement. The female men did not, however, remain long under the roof of that useful but much-abused institution—they were not even assigned quarters, nor presented with the “bill of fare,” although their arrival was during the dinner hour. They were released, and, in the afternoon, took the cars and departed northward.

Since that time, there is much speculation concerning those travelers. They who have had a good look at one of the Charleys—she who wore the collar a la Byron—agree in the opinion that hooped skirts would be more appropriate than trowsers, and a bonnet than the hat which she so jauntily wore. As to the other, some thought it was a manikin, but this belief is not generally entertained. We are sure that we cannot solve the question. The only proof against the parties was their feminine looks; and, as it was merely a suspicion, there was no other course to pursue than to restore them to the liberty of which they had been for a short time deprived.

The Baltimore Clipper of this morning throws additional light on this important subject:

“Young Ladies in Men’s Clothes.—Considerable attention was attracted yesterday in divers parts of the city, by the movements of two young and well dressed individuals, who, as far as outward apparel was concerned, appeared to be young men, but whom an observing eye would soon suspect to be females in disguise. After perambulating the city and riding about in omnibuses to their hearts’ content, they repaired yesterday afternoon to the Philadelphia depot, where they were seen by officer Herbert, and on his questioning them, one of the two acknowledged her sex—the other insisted she belonged to the masculine gender. The officer took the twain to the hosue of the chief of police, where it was ascertained that both were young women. Capt. Herring recognized one of them as a young woman who was found masquerading in men’s clothes last winter, and whom he had conveyed to her home in Albany to her parents, her family being both wealthy and respectable. The other young woman refused entirely to give any account of herself. They both stated they had arrived in this city from Washington yesterday afternoon. The girls are both apparently under twenty years of age, and very genteel in appearance. They were both temporarily committed.”

“Singular Police Case.” Baltimore Sun [Baltimore, Maryland] 12 September 1856; p. 1.

On Wednesday there arrived in this city two persons of prepossessing appearance, and neatly attired in male apparel, but on account of the slenderness of their persons the suspicion of the police were aroused and led them to believe that all was not right. Accordingly officer Herbert, of the Eastern police, arrested them whilst on their way to the Philadelphia depot on the charge of having assumed male attire. The officer took them to the residence of the High Constable, B. W. Herring, Esq., and afterwards to the Middle station, where they remained until yesterday morning. When the two young persons still insisting [sic] that they were of the male sex, a medical committee of examination was summoned, consisting of Drs. Houck and Gilman and sundry official gentlemen attached to the corporation. An examination was entered upon, and the result was that the sex of the two young persons was demonstrated to be masculine. Mayor Hinks on hearing the decision discharged the parties. One of them is the same person who reached here last spring dressed in male attire and passed off to the police as a young man, and was taken home to Albany by High Constable Herring as a young female.

“The ‘Female-Men’ Again.” Evening Star [Washington, DC] 12 September 1856; p. 3.

We have some additional facts in relation to the two persons recently arrested in this city on the charge of being females in men’s attire. It seems that after all the excitement which was produced by that proceeding, they are of the MASCULINE GENDER! Perhaps the discovery of this truth at the Washington jail was the cause of their prompt discharge from custody. But let the Baltimore American of this morning tell the sequel of the story:

“Early last spring it will be recollected that a party was arrested in this city who was charged with being a female with the male garb. At that time ‘she’ was taken to the middle district police station, and there the name of Charles Walter was given, and a detail was made of the route of travel from Albany, where the party alleged he or she had come from, and where his or her parents resided. Having all the appearance of a female, and manifesting contrition for the part she was supposed to be acting, the case created a good deal of sympathy. A bonnet and other necessary clothing was procured, and thus becoming a woman to all appearances, the person was attired in good female style. To protect her on her return homeward High Constable Herring took her in charge and went on to Albany. She directed him to the house where the alleged parents resided, and ‘Caroline,’ the name she subsequently assumed, was received by an elderly female who claimed her as her daughter, and expressed unbounded gratitude to Captain Herring for his disinterested kindness.

“The Captain returned to this city, reported to the Mayor, and all seemed well pleased with the result of the affair. On Wednesday afternoon the same party again arrived in this city, in company with another, having quite as much the appearance of a woman as Charles Walter, the first named party. Their effiminate appearance at once excited the suspicion of the police, and both were arrested and taken to the police station, where they were kept for the night. Immediately the party first arrested was recognized as the visitor of last Spring, and it was strongly thought of to punish her as her conduct deserved. The features of both parties, an entire absence of beard, and long, fine and soft hair, condemned them as women in the minds of all who saw them. This morning they alleged that they were not impostors, and their allegations proved true. They are both young men, and that fact being established, they were allowed to depart and pursue their journey. The intentions of those who took such an active part in the welfare of the young [‘]lady[’] of last Spring were of the purest character, and Capt. Herring was all attention to her comfort on the trip homeward.

“There is no doubt but there was a perfect understanding between the young man and the female in Albany who claimed him as a dughter, but it was so well planned that the acuteness of Captain Herring was completely deceived. One thing is certain, their appearance would deceive the closest observer, and to hear the voice of either tends to lead to the belief of their not being of the masculine gender.

“After having been discharged from the police station, and while on the way to the depot for the purpose of leaving the city, they were met by an officer who was not apprised of the facts in the case, and were again arrested on the charge of being females in male attire. The result of the first arrest soon became known, and they were again permitted to depart. Surely if they meet a similar reception in other places where they stop, travel will be found irksome, and the delays to which they will be subjected will absorb much of their leisure time.”

“A Harlot in the Religious Tract Line.” Joliet Signal [Joliet, Illinois] 11 February 1862; p. 1.

A lady in black, of a highly prepossessing appearance, engaging manners, religious and devout, has for some time past been victimizing the religious and benevolent community of Brooklyn and New York, greatly to her own pecuniary advantage. She was discovered to be a notorious harlot by a young man living at a residence where she called, and who happened to know her.

“Local Matters: The Lady in Black.” Baltimore Sun [Baltimore, Maryland] 7 June 1862; p. 1.

The singular individual known as the “Lady in Black” has frequently been heard of in other cities, but for the first time fell into the hands of the police of this city yesterday. Two days ago a passenger, aparently a female, reached this city from Washington, D. C., and having stopped at one of the up-town hotels, registered the name of Mrs. J. B. Ross. No one about the hotel suspected that the party was practising a deception, and the man, as he proved to be, was treated with all the courtesy due to a lady. On Thursday, in deep mourning apparel, extended by an enlarged crinoline, he promenaded Baltimore street, and made the acquaintance of a bold soldier boy from New York, who accompanied his supposed female acquaintance to her hotel. Subsequently he communicated his adventure to Capt. Turnbull, of the New York Seventh regiment. Captain T., who is insector of police in New York city, at once suspected, from a description of the party, that it was another who had played a similar prank in New York, and informed the marshal of police of his suspicions.

Early yesterday morning Deputy Marshal Lyon, with Detective Smith and Capt. Turnbull, posted themselves on Baltimore street, near Eutaw, to watch for the morning promenade of the suspected damsel. At 9 o’clock she had not made her appearance, and the deputy marshal left the others to look after their game. They had not to wait long, for the “lady” with all her mourning weeds was seen walking up Baltimore street, and, as was the usual custom, stopped at a fruit stand on the corner. Detective Smith was slow to believe that a man could so metamorphose himself, and with great misgiving and much delicacy, approached the deceiver and requested an interview. There was some hesitancy on the part of the “lady,” when Capt. Turnbull stepped up and remarked that it was no use to make a noise on the street, as Mr. Smith was a detective, and he was fairly caught. The trio then proceeded to the office of the marshal, when the party was identified as one Charles Walter, who had before given some trouble to the police of Baltimore. After a reprimand he was discharged, promising to leave the city by the first train.

The advent of Walters into Baltimore was about six years ago, during the administration of Mayor Hinks. Then he appeared in his proper male attire, but his effeminate appearance excited suspicion, and Marshal Herring had him arrested on the charge of being a woman in male attire. at that time he manifested a great deal of penitence, confessed the truthfulness of the charge preferred against him, and said if he could get to his home in Albany he would do so no more. The then mayor’s sympathy was excited, and a full suit of female apparle was provided, and the supposed fugitive was escorted to Albany by Marshal Herring, and, as he thought, an erring daughter was returned to a distressed mother. Very shortly after, however, Walter again made his appearance in Balt[i]more in his proper attire, and remained here for a year or two.

A few weeks since he appeared in the city in female apparel and fascinated a soldier in East Baltimore, who engaged to marry the supposed female. Such was the delusion and the confidence of the soldier that he made his intended bride a present of forty dollars, all the money he had, a part of which was to have been expended in c[e]lebrating the nuptials, but Walter having failed to perform the marriage part of the contract, was arrested. There was no evidence of theft, and the accused was discharged, the police still ignorant of the sex of the party. In appearance he is womanish, beardless, with long black curling hair, and by the aid of rouge and cosmetics makes a very deceptive individual.

“Local Matters: The Lady in Black Again.” Baltimore Sun [Baltimore, Maryland] 24 June 1862; p. 1.

The Lady in Black Again.—She gets a Husband[.]—A Hotel Scene and Arrest.—A week or two since a young man named Charles Walters appeared on the streets attired in female apparel, but after a few days was arrested by the police. Upon a solemn promise to leave the city he was permitted to go, but it now appears that he did not leave, or if he did, he returned again, and last night was captured while playing the part of the wife of a young gentleman from Baltimore county. About eight o’clock Deputy Marshal Lyon was walking up Baltimore street, and passing a fancy store between South and Calvert, saw within a female form, but in the face of the party recognized the “lady in black.” She had on her mourning weeds. In front of the store stood a young man,and by the sidewalk a hack. Marsha[l] Lyon learned from the hackman that he was waiting on the gentleman and lady in the store. At the same time Mr. W. P. West passed, and the deputy marshal informed him of the discovery her had made.—Another moment and the “young widow” left the store, took the arm of the gentleman in waiting, who escorted her to the carriage and then took a seat beside her.

Marshal Lyon and his companion followed the vehicle to the Gilmor House, where it halted, and the “lady in black” entered the private door and was soon in the ladies’ parlor. The gentleman went to the office and placed on the register the names of Mr. H—and wife. Scarcely had he finished the writing when the clerk asked him if he had any baggage. He replied that his wife had only a carpet-bag. The clerk then informed him that it was usual for persons without baggage to pay for their lodgings in advance.—Mr. H. was about to comply when Mr. West stepped forward and bluntly inquired of him who was the female with him. The instant and indignant reply was, “What do you mean, sir? she is my wife.” “Then,” said West, “we would like to see her, and we will go to your room with you.” At that the victim of the deception became greatly enraged, but when an arrest was spoken of he cooled down considerably. The colloquy had attracted the attention of the proprietor and two clerks, who stood in breathless silence, and wondering what it could all mean. Mr. H. finding that he had encountered the police, led the way, followed by Deputy Marshal Lyon and West, the proprietor and the two clerks of the hotel bringing up the rear. In a minute or two they stood in the presence of the “lady in black,” and the delusion was speedily dispelled by West addressing her as “Well, Charley, you are at your old tricks.” He replied, “Yes, Pink, but the poor man is innocent.” As if unable to believe his reason, Mr. H. staggered, and with an epithet on his lips, exclaimed, “You strumpet, are you a man or a woman?”

The eyes of those not familiar with the tricks of walters then began to expand, but before the astonishment could give place to words, the “lady” and her spouse were hurriedly placed in a hack and the driver ordered to go to the marshal’s office. The condition of poor H. was then pitiable. He aseverated his innocence and begged most earnestly to be permitted to escape the exposure which he feared awaited him. Satisfied that he had been victimized, Marshal Lyon released him before reaching the office, and he made a rapid movement westward until he was lost sight of in the darkness. The “lady” was taken to the office when another promise was made to leave the city this morning. A policeman was summoned from the central station to conduct Walters to a lodging-house for the night, and so good was the semblance of woman that he politely asked “Miss” if he should carry the carpet-bag. The whole thing was done quietly, and the scene at the hotel was only witnessed by the few who are spoken of.

“Getting His Deserts.” Baltimore Sun [Baltimore, Maryland] 25 June 1862; p. 1.

Charles Walter, who has become notorious as the “lady in black,” did not leave the city yesterday according to promise. In his female attire he visited the house of a gentleman on Franklin street, and inquired for a sister of the lady of the house. By some means he had obtained information of the existence of such a person, and also that the lady in question had been absent from the city for several months. While engaging the lady of the house in conversation her husband reached home, and recognizing the false pretender, promptly kicked him out, crinoline and all. The wearing of the female apparel is an offense against the law, and subjects the offender to a fine or imprisonment.