The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1904-01-01
Young Girl Who Masqueraded As a
Man in Montana.
Alice Pitcher Roughed.lt In Order TO
Cure Consumption.
Contracted a Cold aud Was Compelled
to Reveal Sex.
"Percy" Pitcher Cut Quite Dash
Among the Boys.
From Wednesdays Daily.

From Wednesdays Daily.
Helena, Mont, Dec. 3O.-With the con-
sent of the father, a wealthy organ
manufacturer of Louisville, KY, pretty
Alice Pitcher, twenty-one years old, has
for three years been masquerading
through Montana as boy, and her un-
doing came as a result of cold con-
tracted while driving with young lady.
The exposure of her identity created a
wild sensation in Helena, where she was
known as percy" Pitcher. 1t is learn
ed from an intimate friend of percy
that three years ago she overheard her
physician in Louisville tell her father
that she was threatened with consump-
ton, but that if she could get out west
and then rough it she might be able to
ward off the dreaded disease.
After consultation with her father,
she donned suit of clothes belonging to
her brother, and with only sufficient
funds to provide for her immediate wants
she arrived in Montana.
After spending her ready cash she ac-
cepted a position pushing ore cars in a
mine at Hasset, but finding this too
heavy for her frail constitution, she re-
signed. AS she had exhibited such will
ingness to work, the superintendent
found her place in the boarding house
as waiter. Later she worked on a
ranch, and it is related that as a result
of a seasons work she had three horses.
Selling these to a White Sulphur Springs
livery man she lost the proceeds in a
poker game before leaving the barn.
She then came to Helena, where she
became a splendid billiardist. Later she
acquired thorough knowledge of base
ball, smoked cigarettes and, as the finish
ing touch to becoming thorough west
erner, held sack for jack, snipe. She
would have kept at this all night had not
several society ladies, with whom Percy
was great favorite, heard of the plan,
and, after a long ride, rescued her.
While driving with young lady two
weeks ago "Percy" contracted severe
cold, and it was necessary to summon a
physician, from whom she could not
conceal her identity. A telegram was
sent to Louisville and an order came for
a ticket and funds, and she has Joined
her father
Percy was made to bear the brunt of
many jokes upon her arrival, but she
took them all so good-naturedly that she
was soon looked upon as a reformed ten
derfoot and took her place with the boys.
This position she upheld not unlike Muir
ray Hall, the Tammany politician, by
enjoying herself in the company of other
women. Indeed, to the extent that her
finances allowed "Percy" was as high a
roller as any of the young bloods of the
town, and never failed to hold her own
in visits to beer gardens, variety theatres
or gaming places. Percy's greatest am
bition seemed to become baseball play
er. She found delight in carrying to
the grounds the big glove worn by the
league catcher and would assist him most
assiduously as a backstop.
She became fair fielder and thrower
but because of her inability to hit, fail
ed to locate berth.
Her father is a member of the firm OF
Pitcher Bros, organ manufacturers OF
Louisville.