Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1879-12-25
WEARING THE BREEOHEs.
Adsentsres ofa Women Who Piayedshs Mas.
euitne for Years.


Buffalo, N. Y, Decemb Der IA
fight last night 10 this city between
two men resulted 10 the exposure Of
remarkable case. 1t occurred in
an allsy- between No 500 and
865 Seneca street. between Alfred
painton and John Ward. Charlie
Ward who was supposed to be the
brother of John, came out of the
saloon and grocery kept by
The latter and found Painton
lying 10 an alley completely
under the influence of liquor. Char
lie tried to help the man from the
ground,b but was unable to do so. He,
"a we must speak of the younger
Ward for the present. returned to
The salo' and called bis supposed
brother John out 70 assist him. Bot5
returned to PAinton and tried to
help him up.b but be flew in . passion
and drew a knife. At that m oment
John Ward clinched him and both
men tell 10 tho ground. In the
meantime Charlie lett them and
went home. 10 the fall Painton sus-
tanned fracture of the left leg, and
when he recovered from the shock
he called for Charlie Ward. whom
ne claimed was his wife. He sent
Peter Bennett, who happened to
Witness the fight, after Charlie
That was sufficient to induce the
community to go in search of the
wife, and among those who sought
the much-wanted wife at 1,0l9 Gin.
ton street was Patroiman MaaoDey,
of the Second precinct. Arrived at
the house, the officer found that
Charles Ward had arrayed himself
10 women's clothing and was abou,
20 leave for some place, whether 10
search Of Pfinton or not ia immater
ial. Patrolman Mahoney took her
into custody. at al events. aud in.
stead of conducting her to the bed
side of the suffering man who claimed
TO be her husband he took her TO No
2 police station for safe keeping. Ar
rived there, she was confronted with
the statement Of Alfred PaintoD
that Charles Ward was . womaD in
disguise, and that she and Charles
Ward were one aud the same per.
con. Wheu she discovered that her
secret was ont she burst into tears,
and for a time wept bitterly. She
said her name was Sarah Jane Will
son and that she was &c years old
She was born 10 H4rtfo, d Conn, and
when she was CT the tender nge of
IL she was seducei by John Ward
At his solicitation she ran awar
from home, and walked nearly $50
miles 60 place called Seacooke
her only companion being small
terrier dog At Seacooke she at.
lied herself in mems clothing. 10
woich costume che has since disport
ed herself. The two people then
Travelled together as brothers and
she assumed the name of Charley
Ward. Four y Ears ago they arrived
at Buffalo, and while on their travels
both worked at anything they
could get to do. Daring three OF the
four years in this city they lived
together, but a year ago John Ward
married Mrs. Norte, and the two
supposed brothers were separated.
John lived with bis wife, and
Charles Ward, or more correctly
Sarah Jane Wilson. opened board
ing house at 1,019 Clinton street,
which she has kept ever since. BY
means If the dog which she took
with her at the time OF running
away from home, and her general
masculine bearing and appearances,
she was also able TO ward eft sus'
nioion with fair degree OF success
While she slept the dog would be on
her bed. and the approach of any
person would cause the animal to
bark and awaken her.
Among her boarders was Alfred
Painton, who lived in her house
months. After q time he beca anne
impressed with the idea that his
landlord was woman, and taking
advantage of her being asleep one
morning, and 10 the absence OF the
faithful canine, he made such inves :
tigation as proved that his suspic-
ions were correct. He accused her
of being q woman. and she owned
up, but begged him Tot to expose
her, and, as che was industrious
and thrifty, he concluded TO
marry her. They both agreed to the
plan, and on December 6 they were
united in marriage by Justice of the
Peace, Cochran. She immediately re
sumed her male attire, and has con
iinued to wear it up to the present
time. She said she used TO 60 to the
barber shop to get her HAIR cut, and
upon one occasion che got shaved IN
order to carry out the deception. She
admitted to having worked in brick
yard in the city. She had also chop
ped wood in the country, and in her
various occupations was necessarily
compelled to associate great deal
with men. Her obj ct 10 doing this
was that she could get along 80 much
better, and felt more at home In
mems clothes.
Dnring the interview she frequent
" buried her face in her hands ans
wept profusely, but after reassurips
words from the officers she would g
through with her story.
10 personal appearance Sarah JAM
is pretty good looking woman, an'
must at one time have been quit
handsome. Her hair is short ana he
face bronzed by exposure of labor il
the open air. Her hands and fee
are large. and her physique is stron'
and athletic from the rigid dolphin
to which she has Submitted. Sh
was comfortably dressed, and locke
at best 40 years of age.
Several men who came to No.
Station, and who said they wer
boarders at l,0le Clinton street
were much surprised to End ths
their landlord was a woman tina
she was locked up, and that they ha
lived with her 30 long time 40
neve suspected that che was no
what che seemed They had wsrke'
with her, and wondered how it wa
that she was suo1 q good cook. an