The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-11-01
PRETTY, BUT VERY, VERY BAD.
May" Beautiful Girl, Sent to q
Eeformatory Institution.

New York, Oct Skate Fitzgerald.
alias Chicago May" known as ''the
wickedest girl in New York" was re-
arraigned in jefferson Market police
court this afternoon for examination
on charge of being a vagrant and also
degrading the morals OF minor children.
By mutual agreement between her
counsel, Daniel O'Reilly. and Commo-
dore Gerry for the Gerry society, both
charges were withdrawn and one sub
stituted charging her with being the as
sociate of diorderly persons. The girl,
at her own request, was sent 10 the
House of the Good Shepherd.
The girl first requested that she be
committed to the House of Mercy, but
when it was explained that under the
statutes a Catholic could not be sent
there she cried and laughed in hysteri-
cal way, declaring between paroxysms
that she did not want to go to a Catho-
lie institution because they make the
inmates pray from morning until night
and don't like TO pray"
II believe said Commodore Gerry,
there is a great deal of good in this
girl want to save her, not to punish
her. am convinced she is not beyond
redemption. If she ever needs assist
ance after she gets out she can come
to me-"
Chicago, Oct 31.--In New York City
where she is best known Mary Vechs
goes by the name of Chicago May. The
nickname indicates her origin. but She
left this city at an early age and no one
mourned grievously when she departed.
Just now she is in serious trouble at
the place of her adoption, having been
arrested at the instance of the Society
for the Prevention of Cruelty to Child
rem. The charge against her is leading
an immoral life and inducing young
girls to follow her example. but back
of that lie stories Of blackmail and kind
red offenses, while many men would
draw a long breath OF relief were the
young criminal safe in the penitentiary.
For Chicago May is still young and
exceedingly pretty. She was born in
the city Jail sixteen years ago. her IA
Their being a Bohemian saloonkeeper.
who kept a dingy place in the Henry
street district. As child her beauty
attracted attention. even when running
the streets in a ragged attire. and she
grew as wild as any of the arabs with
whom she played. When she was lit
tie over ten years old she was taken TO
New York by q woman OF that city. who
saw possibilities Of gain in her promise
Of personal beauty. and soon went a
thorough course of training in the form
OF crime. in which such women excel.
She was first sent out as a flower girl
and men who. attracted by her beauty
tCOk notice OF her sooH, found that such
attentions We're costly. She was q pre-
cocious child. looking older than she
really was. and she and her patron
0eaped a rich harvest She was trained
IN the art Of pocket-picking, when il
could be done without any danger Of
and similar methods % OBJ
tanning money. but her main reliance
was blackmail. and that trade she has
followed persistentiy.
Her lie has been a degraded oue in
every sense She took up with ragged
street gamin n New York. calling him
her husband. and young as she IS. she
has alrea dy become addicted 70 the alco-
Aolic and still more dangerous habits.
IN spite Of her Ciissipations and manner
E life she Is stin an eNceedinslv attrsc-
i've young wo.nan-for she looks more
ike the Is years she claims than the Is
which she really iS-and the New York
police will breath easier II they succeed
In convincing her on the charges on
which she is held.