The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1901-05-18
DISCUSSES OF SEX.
Mes and Women Who Have worn
the Garb Of the Opposite Sex for
Many Years Unknown.

One OF the most notable DISCUSSES Of
sex on record was that of Cheyalier
D'Eon, who masqueraded as a woman
while acting as the diplomatic agent of
Louis XIV. to the court of the empress
of Russia. He was born in Tonnere,
France, in 172s, and died in 1910.
Pope JOAN" who is commonly spok-
en- of as an English girl, was credited
as masquerading as a man so uccess
fully that she wandered in many lands
and was never detected. There is a
story, now generally discredited, that
she became a pope under title Of John
VIII, says the Chicago Chronicle.
There lived 20 years ago in Hungary
an officer named Felix Francoine who
was n of the most v~alorous captains
in the army. Her sex was not discov-
cred until after her death.
In Brittany a few years ago there
lived an old fisherman who for so years
followed the sea. She was not like
the woman celebrated in the song of
The Three Fishermen" for she did
not stay home to weep. She was so
successful with the nets that she
amassed a fortune. and at her death
left considerable property, 10 fishing
smacks and a snug sum in the Bank of
France. She had been twice married
andleft TO her wife a good share Of this
worlds goods.
Catherine Coombs now lives in West
Ham poorhouse, London, at the age of
IS. She had for 43 years passed as
Charles Wilson and had earned q good
living as a mural painter and decora-
tor. She was actually proud of her
handiwork as shown in the decorations
Of the cabins of the vessels of the
Peninsular and Oriental line. No new
craft which went into the service was
considered complete without having
decorations painted BY Charles VIII
son." She was In the employ Of the
company regularly tor t74years, and 20
much confidence had her employers In
her business ability that they ne
quently asked her to undertake import
tant negotiations for them, She wan
injured by a fall, and, being unable to
follow her trade. was obliged TO 10 into
an institution. z fs
There died In England a few years ago
a-woman who had reached Che hale old
age Of 1os. The last4o yearsof heratsy
on earth she lived under a mascuiins
lame
One Of the masters Of an Bngifsh
almshouse was a woman who for 10
years donned mans attire. Her idea-
tity was revealed through q man who
was brought TO the institution and who
hailed her as his long-lost wife.
Mrs. Pietro Loganani worked for
more than a year in the coal mines OF
Hazleton. She. was injured in an ex-
plosion and the surgeons discovered
that she was not a man.
In order to obtain the wages Of a
man a young woman disguised herself
In male attire several years ago and
worked for many years as a cashier in
a Cleveland (O.) book store.
There are several instances In recent
years where men have sought employ
ment as cooks in the dress Of women.
A mar who called himself Christina
Becrens worked as a cook for ten years
in the kitchens OF New York house
holds and earned especial ~commenda-
tons for culinary skill and ~neatness.
He would not have been discovered in
his deception had he not INDUCED in a
drunken spree, in the course of which
he neglected to shave for several days,
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