The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-07-18
GIRL IN MALE ATTIRE
TRAVELS ALL OVER THE WORLD
AND REFUSES TO WEAR SKIRTS.
immigration Department Caught a
Fair Prize and Then Let Her Go
After an Explanation.

NEW YORK, July 17.-There sailed yes
terday in the first cabin of the steamship
Friedrich der Crosse bound for Bremen,
tall, graceful young person dressed in the
garb of a fashionable young man, who by
good rights should have worn skirts and a
shirt waist disappearing under the name
of 'Alyanozro Velas" and in the attire of a
man, this young woman has been travel
ing the globe earning her own living and
subjecting herself to many hardships sim
ply because she wants to be man."
She arrived here from Vera Cruz as a
second cabin passenger on the Ward line
steamship Seguranca, which reached port
late Wednesday night. there being at that
time no suspicion that she was other than
what she claimed to be. She was con-
spcuously attired in the garb of a Mexican
rancher. She wore a wide sombrero, raw
hide boots, equipped with spurs, coarse
cloth suit of plaid, a blue flannel shirt,
around the collar of which was tied a flow
ing scarf while around her slim neat waist
was broad leathern belt.
AS a second cal bin passenger she came I'M
der the supervision of the immigration au-
thorities and there was something about
her walk which presently made the regis
trar of immigrants say to himself TN bet
81 she is a woman" "Velas" was then sum-
moned to Commissioner Senners office.
Are you a man or woman? asked DR..
Senner
Il am a man, sir" was the indignant re-
Spouse. Her voice quavered, however, and
the authorities were not satisfied Seeing
that she was suspected by more than one
person, the tourist finally broke down and
confessed her secret. She was then turned
over to the matron, who subsequently re-
ported that the masculine makeup of the
costume she wore was most arttully con-
TO Commissioner Senner "velas" said
calmly: well, what If | am a woman;
have l not a right to dress as / please? ]
shall certainly never wear Women's clothes
again. They are detestable to me. l want
to be a man. 1t is my lifes desire. That
God made me a woman is not my fault.
She then said that her father was a dis
tinguished Spanish official living at Manila,
in the Philippine islands. where she was
born, twenty-four years ago. Her mother,
she said, is an Englishwoman. who is
wealthy in her own right. The name
"Velas," she said was entirely assumed.
She refused to tell her real name.
Il was educated in England" she added
and can speak FIVE languages-S Spanish
have Travelled all over the world dressed
as a man, and shall continue to do so until
I die I have always wanted to dress as a
man ever since | was fifteen years of age
Yes 1 smoke and chew tobacco and drink,
too when l feel like it, but 1 always be-
nave myself
''Velas" confided to DR.. Senner the name
of her lawyer in this city, who was at once
notified of the presence of his eccentric
charge at the barge office. An hour later
a cab drove up to the barge office and ex
Judge Dittenhoefer alighted He shook
hands cordially with the singular young
woman.
Arrangements were at once made for her
sailing on the Friedrich der Crosse, and
when she went aboard the steamship SHE
had discarded her cowboy attire for a black
cutaNay coat and trousers patent leather
Shoes derby hat, tan gloves, walking
stick standing collar and box of cigar