Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-08-18
IT WAS A PITIABLE SCENE.
Pretty Jessie Miller Before Justice Crutch-
field Charged with yagrnncy.

Persons passing through the Capitol
square or the other principal parks of the
CITY Tor the past few days have been forci-
bly, struck by frequently observing upon
one OF the seats very pretty girl OF
seemingly not moro than seventeen sum-
Iners with face which was half pitiable
IN It's languid appearance. There was in
tho large blue eyes certain inexpressible
pathos which appealed to the hearts OF
the passer-by and brought TO ones mind
the query; " wonder who she ISL"
FOUND TO BE KATIE o'KgEFE.
A glance over the files Of the DIsPArcH
would have shown that about three
months ago there came TO Richmond girl
named Katie O'Keefe. but who gave the
fictitious name of Jessie Miller. She was
found strolling along the streets in a sort
of listless way at midnight by the po-
lice, and when questioned said that she
had lost her way. but upon investigation
II was learned that the pretty pedestrian
had no home In these parts. She WAS
thought TO be suffering from mental aber-
ration and was placed IN the amshouse,
where she was very kindly treated by Su-
perintendent Carter and provided with
comfortable and nice quarters.
A little later Jessie, as she prefers to be
called, was given O home by Mrs. wilkins,
a kindly lady who lives at River View, but
a few weeks ago she left her new friends
and went to Goochand county. as she
claimed, TO look after certain business in
terests.
She was not heard from again until q
few days ago. when she was observed in
the Capitol Square.
Here her manners were lady-hke and
modest.
TAKEN TO THE sTATIoN-HOUsR.
On Sunday evening Jessie was arrested
on the Square by Officers Schumacher and
Matthews and taken TO the Third police
station. where she remained overnight III
Captain Hulce's office. At o'clock yes-
terday she was taken to the Police Court
bv the Captain to be tried for vagrancy.
III was after the regular session OF the
court aud only few spectators were IN
the hal when this petite little woman ell
tered. She was attired in a becoming lawn
dress, with q small collar, which showed
with pretty effect the white throat be
meath; upon her hair. which hung loosely
down her back and was tied with pink
ribbons, sat a small turban hat; on one OF
her fingers she wore a plain gold ring,
while the bodice of her dress was fastened
at her throat bv small scarfpin, beneath
which was artistically arranged small
bouquet Of fresh-loOklng flowers.
The Justice questioned her IA TO how
long she had been in the city, what she
Htu DctD uOlDP, &C., anu hiit iuOutriiN IT,
piled: Il have done no wrong. People
have talked a,great deal about me. though" 4"
And she intimated that some of the pub
licity into which she had been brought
was Objectionable 10 her.
His Honor asked her why she left her
home at Mrs. Wikins's, and her reply was
that II was only because everybody seemed
to look upon her rs something far beneath
respectable humanity, though she said
those with whom she lived always treated
her kindly and encouraged her IN every
possible way.
WANTED TO GO TO THE PEN1IFNTIARY.
When the Justice told her all that he
could do was either to send her to jail or
"Sond me to Jail, to the penitentiary, or
anywhere. but don't have me taken
amongst those people who have been 50
kind to me-"
She harped on the idea of going TO the
pcuitentiary, and when Superintendent
Carter came INTO the courtroom she beg
ged that she be not taken to the aims
house.
She would answer questions in an inco-
herent manner and several times stated
that things had occurred only yesterday
when they really happened months or
weeks ago.
Her maDner in court was gentle and i'm
plorlng and she was told that DR.. Ire
william would be requested to take her case
in hand and that he would do all possible
to bring her back to thorough sanity. II
was indeed q pltiable look that she wore as
she left for the almshouse.