Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1859-11-25
M s.
.IEarry. stokes, the Wan Woman.

SAtarryV Stokes, the wan woman
The English papers give the particulars
of the most remarkable case Of deception
on record, being that ofa woman who lived
not less than thirty years in Manchester
and Stafford as journeyman and master
Bricksctter, all the time maintaining the
dress of man, and in that character as
suming the position of husband to two diff
ferent women:
She the daughter Of brckayer in a village in the
neighborhood Of Doncaser Little Harriet Stokes lines
had not been laid in pleasant places She was so ground
BY the iron hand at home that when she about
eight old she put attered suit Of boys clothing
and walked forth into the wide wide world Arrived at
the village Whtby she looked about for work The hard
treatment Of parents ignorant of their responsibility had
driven her from the protection of home and all associa
tons which should enchain the young to home That she
afraid Of hard work apparent when she offered
her services to bricksetter in Whitby. Though
what understood she appeared broadset active useful
lad and speedily set to work, md soon taken
an apprentice.
From this point we must drop the feminine appentive
and speak of Harry Stokes boy who had worked his
way to the dignity of journeymnn brick k-sctter For
something like 20 years from this point lose the
meeting links which join his Yorkshire experience to his
Manchester fe About rs ago he brought pro-
mneny under the notice Of the public by the circum-
stance oan eccentric excursion which he had taken into
the domains of marimony Harry Stokes wanting
panon in life, executed matrimonial cpHtretemps True
his role mamie cast about and fixed his choice
plump little widow, who kept Icer-house in Cupds
alley Deansgate Manchester He had been accustomed
to take pot Of beer and smoke his short pipe under Bet
sys roof had a last taken decided fancy to Betsy
herself Betsy looked with favor Harrys suit for he
had the reputation Of being good steady wo kman,
was doing pretty well bHcksetter. II resolved
that the twain should become flesh; and TO tn,
church they hed Harry discharged the duties Of bride
groom at the church to perfectio1 but when the widow
got him home there was terrible row. The night wa'
spent in downright quarrel and ght and the amentable
result taken out by BETSY against her nus
band for assault for which he condemned to thC
New Bailv for or two months During the hearing o
the case, Betsy with great vchemence declared that her
husband not man, and that she therefore would not
! live with him
considerably persecuted by those little gamins who know
so well how to celebrities while he also
the object Of much curious speculation among his brethren
OF the trowe He, however, maintained discreet ST.
lence as to his scx threw out hints that the he
married mad, and the most effective proof that she
was maevolent liheler he afterwnrd married an
other widow rejoicing in the Of Frances Collins,
who Is 20 years his senior, and who had
grownup and daughter living with her His connec
tion with this woman with whom he lived until he COM
mtted suicide is the most mysterious phase of this
terious history. She declares with solemn earnestncss
that she did not know until Informed the other day. that
the with whom she had been living for the last 25
wears was a woman, and her own children looked upon
Stokes as their stepather 1t may be that although
Of Of shame the old woman thus attempts to conceal
her knowledge ofStokes sex she did in reality know from
the first that the person woman and that she in
all probability induced by Stokes 10 the union
in order that the appearance Of married life might dispe
the rumors ahoa Whether not that the intention,
the acquaintance brought about the result; for although
there were surmiscs that "Harry" Stokes was woman
and he constantly the oect of curious gances he
caned tho omen onstation to which he had been nev
ously subjected. Harry and Fanny beer-house II
Corporation street Salford where they lived for wears
when they "atted 10 QUAY street. Deansrate turn
ing private house into beerhOuse. At this house the,
STAYED eleven years during part nj which time they hell
second beerhouse in Camp street. of Deansgate, which
they called "The Pilgrims Rest and supernendec
by Mrs Stokes SON. To this house they themselves finally
removed aed kept for xyears when they carried their
furniture to No H. Richmond street. where they lived
| together as and wife.
They were living in Richmond street up to the time
the tragedy which has revived the whole history Of this
singular person Harry Stokes appeared atery TO have
fallen into decayed circumstances and the fear of poverty
is believed 10 have induced him to commit suicide. Or
FRIDAY evening the deceased the Swan public
house. Pendeton and after drinking four glasses Of ale
he left for the purpose of proceeding, he stated &
Throste Nest In the morning hat was found on the
ton Of the water IN the sniee Of the river rwe at Mod
Wheel and on examination the body ofa fnund
standing upright in the water AZ the inquest before Mr.
Coroner Ruiter on Saturday, the body identified
"Harry" Stokes the well known master brickseter ofSal
ford and it would probably have been bured In its coth
it and the secret Of the poor courageous hard
working Harriet Stokes would thus have been buried witt
her had not Of the jury been acquainted with por
tion other history. He mentioned his suspicion that h
deceased a and not man, and two VIII,
sent by the Coroner 10 solve the mystery
ttteriug into the cnurt with the information that
enough the body in the mans clothes that Of pcr
feet woman and no man. She was very fu breasted bu
the shape Of her womany make distorted by n broa
strap which buckled round her body under the arms.
There is something Of grandeur otter all in the charae
| ter ofthat strange woman She has left mementoes
her industry and skill AL Manchester and IN man
places in Stafford. She very clever IN the erection
tall ehmneys. and some of the highest In Manoheste
have been wholly partially constructed under her su
perntendence she has bu churches ohhpels and
sive blocks of dwelling houses In the days Of the Char
tist riots she special constable, and wa
made captain Of her company. Her industry and skill
one time placed her in very comfortable circumstances
! and there persons who esteemed among IN
foremost men in Manchester who have hecn enterane
at the roaring suppers given by "Ilarry" Stokes
|
The Worcester TranScr;J1t saws thar Mrs