The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-05-17
FIVE GIRLS ELOPE
Love Sick Maidens in Uniforms
Leave With Soldiers.
Fifth Regiment of Chicago
Bound For Cuba.
TWO COME TO GRIEF.
Discovered ON Military Train
They Are Sent Home.
Three Others Overlooked by the
Active Officers.
Women Had Cut Off Tresses and
DOnned Uniforms.
COME TO GRIEF.
Women Had Cut Off Tresses and
DOnned Uniforms.

Chicago, May 17.-Inspired by the love
for gallant soldier boys and longing for
adventure and life with their sweet
hearts in a strange land, five young
women cut off their t~resses. donned blue
uniforms, and started for Santiago,
Cuba, with the battalion of the Fifth
regiment, United States infantry, that
left Fort Sheridan Monday night on a
special train. The young women, close
beside their sweethearts. crouche IN
der seats in the hope of escaping detec-
ton. They had made up to appear
as mannish as possible. and hoped to
avoid being recognized as women by
the officers in charge of the train, even
though circumstance forced them to a
face-to-face encounter. They intended
to accompany the regiment to New
York city, and from there to the boats
bound for Santiago, where the soldiers
will do duty for Uncle Sam. Five we'd
dings had been planned in the strange
land, and a life of happiness, under the
sunny skies of Cuba. was in prospect for
the fair adventuresses.
The girls were not detected when they
entered the train and the start was
made without the officers having the
faintest suspicion of the romance just
begun. The train whisked through Chi
cago n the southern suburbs, and the
young women and their SWeethearts
udU JUST DoSun 10 Del1eN6 mat their
coup would prove successful when one
of the officers discovered one of the fair
passengers. The train was brought to
a halt just inside the state line and Jes-
sic Sherwood, II years of age, was COM
PEELED to leave the train, bringing sor-
row to the heart of Sergeant Michael
Langmeyer of company K. No time was
allowed for the parting of the lovers,
and before the officers had recovered
from their surprise at the discovery of
the u woman's identity, Jessie was
weeping beside the track and the train
was again in motion.
FIND A SECOND GIRL.
The officers DECIDED to make a search
of the train, refusing to believe that
Jessie would start on the trip unaccom-
panied by another Of her own sex. En-
ma Winoski. Is years of age, was dis
covered as she crOuched under a seat
occupied by a sergeant of mpan l..
praying that she might be successful in
reaching the promised land with her
lover at her side. The young woman
was before the officers just as the
train reached Hammond. Ind and with
scant- ceremony she was anded at the
depot platform, while her soldier-loyer
leaned from a q Wind and waved
his handkerchief in a sorrowful fare
well.
The three other girls had escaped de-
lection, according to latest reports, but
1t Is probable that they will be restrain
ed from accompanying heirsWeethearts
to Cuba. New York oHcials have been
notified of the presence of the young
women on the train and a strict search
win be made for them IN New York if
they are not sooner apprehended. The
romantic maidens are said to be resi-
dents Of the town of Fort Sheridan. but
their names are as yet undisclosed.
ROMANCE OF THE FORT.
Jessie Sherwood and Emma Winoski
tell a story of gallant soldiers, love and
adventure, which might be taken as
fiction If recited in the novels of the
day. Both young women live in Wau-
kegan. On Sundays they used to visit
Fort Sheridan and admire the boys in
blue. Jessie's smiles were returned by
Sergeant Langmeyer, who was much
suitten with the young woman. The ac-
Quaintance quickly rtpened into ardent
love. JeSsie'S admirer easily found a
companion for Emma, and she, too,
found herself loving and loved. The
+ visits to Fort Sheridan became more
frequent, n the two ~Sergeants
were off duty they were to be found al
the sides of their sweethearts. A few
weeks ago word was received that the
regiment would be ordered to Cuba fol
duty. This was the first cloud on the
l horizon of the courtship, and it grew
larger and blacker when the orders tt
prepare for moving were received. The
/ young couples talked over the %situatiOr
several times. and resolved that, com,
{ what might, they would make a des
/ perate attempt to go together to the
strange land The girls decided to dis
0ASS LA4C4A SEX III 0OlA liz bIuG Jill
forms.
5 CUT OFF THEIR TREssEs.
/ Three weeks age they had theil
5 tresses cut off and their hair trimmed
short and parted on the side. In thu
\ privacy of their own rooms they began
practicing mannish actions. They
donned their brothers outer c1othins
and after a few days decided that they
q stood more than even chances of de
ceiving the sharp-eyed officers Of thu
q Fifthf regiment.
Uniforms were Struggled from tn
fort to the young women by thei
lovers. These were cut down and mad
over to fit and the adventurous girl
were ready for the start. Because o
their height they planned to keep GU
of sight of the officers if possible, i
being feared that they might be dis
= covered. AT the train they discovers
three other young women who ha'
made the same preparations and ha'
the same plans laid for a life of ad
venture in Cuba
Lieutenant Reeves was especiali
- feared by the young women, as he Dor
\ the reputation of being capable of pen
q etrating n disguise. When this office
started through the train to look afte
= the comforts Of his men the girl
& crouched under seats. But Jessie Sher
wood was detected and the trai
stopped. Jessie was turned Ove to Sci
geant Mahoney of the Grand Crossin
police at N~inety-ffth street. She wa
taken to the station and compelled
e. don skirts again. Wallace Sherwood
le los Market street, Waukegan, the steT
ie fathe of Jessie, was notified of he
= plight. He sent back word that he di
IL not care to have Jessie return hom'
d. aptain Barcal was not satisfied wit
E. the s~tepfather's reply, and he sent ii
re young woman to Waukegan in charg
of Natron O'Brien. Mrs. Sherwood m
her romantic daughter at the depot ar
a joyful reunion took place. She d.
Is clared that while she was glad to HAY
III been put off the train SO near home ST
D. 1Onged for her soldier boy.
IS Miss Winosh had not returned non
Of late last night, and it was said that ST