The San Francisco call., 1906-05-14
DISCOVERY MADE RY
ELLIS ISLAND OFFICIALS

STRANGE DISCOVERY MADE RY
ELLIS ISLAND OFFICIALS
Michael Finch, a Husband of Twenty
Years, Proves TO Be a
Woman.
After having lived together as man
and wife for twenty years and having
been known to all their relatives and
friends as Mr.. and Mrs. Michael
Mtnch. It transpires that Michael is
q woman, says the Brooklyn Eagle.
The discovery was made at Ellis
Island. where the pair had been de-
tanned since their arrival on the Cam
pania. last Saturday, from England.
because Michael showed symptoms
Of illness. The immigration author
tiles are In a quandary as to what
action to take In the case. They win
try to and an excuse for deporting
Michael, but II Mrs. Minch elects to
remain In this country there Is ap-
parently no way OF forcing her to re-
turn.
Not the least remarkable feature OF
the strange case is the fact that the
pair since their marriage in County
Kildare, Ireland. twenty years back.
have passed through the immigration
bureau no less than half dozen times
without awakening the slightest sus-
picion In the officials. The very last
person for whom they worked in this
country, indeed, was T. B. Willis, him
self formerly an officer Of the bureau.
Until four years ago, when they re-
turned to Ireland for an extended visit
to their native land, Michael was en-
ployed as gardener on the country
place of Mr.. Willis at Mount Kisco,
N Y. while Mrs. Minch worked there
as a housekeeper. Before that they
had been employed by a number OF
wealthy families residing on Long
Island. Michael always serving In the
capacity of gardener and Mrs.
Minch rs housekeeper.
Mr. and Mrs. Minch have two
nieces, Annie and Tessie Brenner, who
live at 324 Hicks street, this borough.
and whom they were intending to visit
for q while before taking positions
for the summer. Tessie Brennan, a
pretty little miss not yet out of her
teens, Is employed IN one OF the big
department stores on Fulton street.
When told by an Eagle reporter this
morning of the discovery made by the
immigration authorities she was loath
to credit It,
There must be some mistake" she
said. 1T Ia true that my Uncle and
aunt have been detained at Ellis
Island. but It cannot be for any such
reason a. that.
MY Aunt Margaret was married
to Uncle Michael fully twenty years
ago In County Kildare, Ireland, where
they had known each other since
childhood. They came to this coun-
try shortly afterward and have
worked only In wealthy families.
They have always been known as Mr..
and Mrs. Minch and have always had
the highest reputation. Frequently
they would return home on q visit, and
I am sure that II all had not been
as It should have been there would
have been some talk about It long
ago,
when thsy were IN this country
and were temporarily out of q place
they always made their home with my
sister and myself They were known
to all our friends and no one ever sus-
pected that Uncle Michael was not a
man. OF one thing you may be sure
even II Uncle Michael is y woman
nothing VIII ever separate them. They
are devoted to each other, and II the
immigration authorities VIII not al
low my Uncle Michael to land Aunt
Margaret win insist on returning with
him to the other side"
Michael Minch told the Ellis Island
of1ciais that he was so years old and
that his wife was only few years
his Junior. He said he had taken out
first citizenship papers eighteen years
ago. soon after he arrived In this coun-
try the first time.
Mrs. Minch. when questioned by DR..
stoner Of the United States Hospital
marine service at first insisted that
she and Michael had two children.
Later, under .. FIRE Of cross-questions,
she admitted that this statement was
untrue.
H,uDutHs rtArcnnnr raXrpa