Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1900-05-10
A PuzzIing Prisoner.

romance.
On the large entry book in which is
inscribed the names of various pris-
oners received is the name of Silas
Saul, and this Individual on his arri-
val at the prison almost created a
panic among the officials. 1t was not
his or her name but his or her dress
that caused the sensation. The pris-
oner is about FIVE feet eight inches in
/ height, coal black and about 10 years
of age. On his or her arrival at the
institution on Wednesday he or she
was attired in female costume with
the exception of the hat which adorned
his or her head. Thi. was Of male
mode.
The papers presented by the officer
gave the name of Silas Saul, commit
ted to the institution for four months
from Kent county on the charge Of
being habituallY disorderly. When
this entry had been made in the book
one Of the deputy keepers turned what
he supposed to be the woman over to
the custody of one of the female at
t.ndants, who was directed to disrobe
the individual and after giving the
newcomer bath furnished him or her
with prison clothes.
All went along well until Superin-
tendent King happened to see the new
arrival. He at once called to the fe-
male assistant, and said that woman
i. a man. To this the prisoner
answered Il am neither man or wo-
man.
The matron, in the meantime, had
taken a good look at Saul, and she
became convinced that some mistake
had been made in defining the pris-
oner's sax. Superintendent King ques-
toned the prisoner, who asserted that
she was Mary Davis, and not man.
The sunarinfan1art ordered the urIs-
on.r to the clothes room to change her
wearing apparel for prison garb.
Steward Hagadorn, in whose custody
she was placed, insisted that the ma
tron should be called, as the prisoner
was a woman. Superintendent King,
however, ordered him to proceed to
the clothes room with the prisoner.
When the prisoner had donued the
prison apparel the steward found that
he or she had taken off a tailor-made
gown, a corset cover, pair Of corsets,
five under skirts, pair of fancy fe-
male hose and other female garments.
When questioned by the guard the
prisoner told the following story
q don't know exactly how old l
am. I was born in West Virginia.
When a small child I was attired in
female clothing by my people, and in
Washington and in various places |
have served many prominent families
as cook and house servant. All dur
ing these years I have associated with
women, with the exception Of times
when have had steady company with
gentlemen. I have never worn male
attire, and really | am ashamed OF
myself when I look down and see
these trousers. No one has ever ques-
toned my sex during all these years
and have always been considered a
women. I am frst-class washer and
ironer, and have also been hired out
as a maid and nurse.
The prisoner then held out both
hands and said "Do these hands
look like they ever worked in har-
vest feld?" and added, q think it is
a shame that I have been treated this
way for wearing womens clothes.
don't know any other kind, as l have
worn them for so many years. l al
ways have my dresses made for me at
the dressmakers, and at my home in
Chestertown I have hats to match my
gowns
While the prisoner was making this
statement he or she stood with eyes
downcast and told the story with
well-modulated voice, and with eyi-
dent embarrassment The prisoner
stated that the trouble was due to en-
yious people of his or her own race in !
Kent county. He or she seemed par
ticularly affected when they cut his
or her hair of. The long tresses were
wrapped and braided about the head
in neat plat, resembling an old
time waterfall.
Superintendent King says that this
is th. strangest case that has ever
come under his notice, and be doubts
if there is a similar case in the coun-
try. The deputy keepers have reg
istersd this new arrival as The what