Evening journal., 1895-10-04
SHOCKED A NEW WOMAN
Miss Briggs, In Male Attire,
Doing a Lineman's Work.
AN ACCIDENT REVEALED HER SEX.

She Has Been Trapeze Performer. but
Says the Business Is Dull and That sh@
WIN Continue TO Wear Trousers and
Mend Electric Wires In Another Town.
BRIDGEPORT, Conn. Oct. 1.-The force
Of telegraph lnenen here was increased
about two weeks ago by young fellow
named Charles Morgan, who said he had
had experience, and when a trial was Civ
en- to him showed that he was speaking
the truth. He was of the medium height
and was built slenderly but strongly. He
had dark curling hair,.a very handsome
face and personal habits and manners
that suggested TO his fellow workers that
he had seen better days" He kept aloof
from them, but not in an Objectionable
way
As far as the work was concerned, he
was the best man on the force. He was
very regular knew the business and could
climb the poles without the spurs about
as we'll as with them. Thursday afternoon
hcclimbed pole in Fairfield avenue ana
was sitting on the crosstrees making the
repairs. He forgot and touched the trolley
wire with one hand.
strnightway the powerful current shot
through his body He dropped to the
street like a stone his right hand terribly
burned. They thought he was dead, but
sent for the ambulance. lie was taken TO
the Emergency hospital and was laid up
on the operating table The pulse at tho
wrist was not noticeable, and DR. Bren-
nan unfastcned and throw back the shirt.
1o jumped away I'm amazement and
stared at the fine form laid out before
him. at the peculiarly curving legs, to
which were strapped the big iron spurs.
Then he looked at the face-smooth, deli
cate
"Groat scottr he said "send for one
OF the nurses This is womanN'
Miss Briggs Tells Her Story.
They tried all the quick remedies with
out bringing any signs OF life. Then they
stripped Charles Morgan and threw her
into an ice bath. She revived a little at
once, and I'm n few moments was recover
ed enough to realize that she had been
fairly caught. The matron took charge Of
her, and as she rested she told her story.
My name is Minnie Howard Briggs,
said She and | am u professional. l can
sing in chorus and can do turn on
the trnpoze. l have done both. Last win
ter l was with "a show, and whom it went
to pieces 1 found myself a long way from
hold of any money There are only a few
things n woman can do to earn living,
and / couldn't do any of them. l can't
sew. ] can't cook. / can't or rather l
won't do housework. So l didn't know
what to do.
well, / have been for years as much at
home in mems clothes as in womens. In
fact, l am more used to tights than l am
to skirts A man can always get moro
than woman So decided to try to got
work as n man.
But how did you happen to become a
linemnnN asked the matron
"Why, they used electric lights i'm the
circus and / saw them fixing them, and
so 1 got to know good deal about il.
Then my training on the trapozo had Civ
en- me the ability to climb about. SO you
sec it was quito natural. I.got q job mp at
Hartford to learn the business, and 10
wasn't long before got on as we'll as any
of them. have worked i'm most of the big
places in the state
After two hours Charles Morgan was
fully recovered except the burned hand
So she said goodby to the matron and the
nurses and doctors who crowded about
her.
what are you going to dos' asked DR..
Brennan.
"Oh, I've got to leave town. " she said,
laughing and Struggling her shoulders.
'Im caught They'll discharge ms If 1
don't quit But there are plenty Of other
places. III just move ON. like the life
and / IN going to stick to il. -