A prisoner, 1868
Some people we learn about only because they were arrested. This unnamed individual was arrested twice: once for “disorderly conduct” and again for wearing female clothing on a male body. As usual, newspaper editors waxed comical on the subject—and danced around the hint that the individual was acting as a sex worker. The story is a mine (and minefield) of 19th-century slang and colloquialisms.
“Didn’t Play It This Time.” National Republican [Washington, Dictrict of Columbia] 5 February 1868; p. 3.
Some time since a party was arrested by one of the police force for disorderly conduct—such conduct as was calculated to attract the attention of some of our rather fast young men, who are on the qui vive for crinoline, and sich. The case underwent magisterial scrutiny, and a fine was imposed. The “sugar” not being forthcoming, the female boarders at Castle Douglass (the work-house) received an addition to their number. It was not long, however, before the sharp eyes of Mr. Douglass led him to conclude that this new comer did not behave in a very lady-like manner—not very. There was a little too much familiarity and intimacy by a good deal with the females who had went there before, so the new acquisition was changed to another and more appropriate chamber, and was required to crawl into a pair of breeches and a jacket—more becoming to his sex. Yesterday the same party was arrested by Officers Hopkins and Price, of the Sixth precinct, again in female rig, and was taken before Justice Clark, who fined him $5. In default he was sent to the farm again, but Commander Douglass will provide him with proper habiliments before assigning him to quarters this time.
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