The Washington herald., 1909-11-19
SCHOOLGIRL MAKES
DASH FOR LIBERTY
Catherine Porter Runs Away
from Roanoke College.
POLICE FIND HER IN CAPITAL
Early I'm the Fall Left Her Home I'm
Lincoln. Ncbr.. for Virginia lnsti-
tuition. of Which She Appears to
Have Grown Weary-BeeOmes Pen
nIIeAs Here and Seeks shelter.

Catherine Porter who boasts the dig
nihed age of eighteen years, but is only
o schoolgirl. spent last night I'm the
House Of Detention.
The police have wired 10 her father, w.
+. Porter. a real estate dealer of Lincoln,
Nebr.. telling him OF the dilemma IN
which his pretty young daughter has
found herself. and Miss Porter will
be a guest Of the police until word
is received from him.
II was about noon yesterday when
the girl awoke In room in home for
young women I'm c street northwest. She
rubbed her eyes sleeplly. and then jumped
from bed. when she realized where she
was. She put on a pretty blue and gold
embroidered kmono. and then seated her
self in a chair at the window.
Detectives Surprised.
About this time Detective Sergoants
Cornweu and Berman rang the doorbell
downstairs. and asked 10 see Miss Porter
She appeared I'm short time. clad in an
attractive old rose dress. and asked what
was wanted. The detectives were sur
prised by the appearance Of the girl. for
her air of refinement and apparent cul-
ture was unusual in persons taken into
custody by the police.
a short explanation was made, and
Miss Porter accompanied the detectives
10 police headquarters. where she told
the story Of her escapade. which rivals
the fiction Of Decent magazines for
novelty, adventure. and daring. Miss
Porter lid not seem 20 realize the seri-
business of her predicamenJ, relating the
tale with such charming frunkness that
size captivated her auditors.
Early I'm the fall IL seems, Miss Porter
left her home al -eol Sumner street,
Lincoln, Tor the Virginia WOman's Col
lego I'm Roanoke. She found college life
attractive for "a time. but the glamour
soon wore Off. so she longed for excite
ment and diversion. II was Monday last
when she found herself unable 10 resist
the temptation longer and she decided
20 run away.
She waited until o'clock at night,
when all the girls We're at supper Then
placing some clothing in a small satchel,
she left the school and started for the
railway station. She grew afraid. and
dared not 20 20 the station. fearing she
would be seen. captured, and carried
back 20 school, so she walked around the
station and started walking down the
railroad tracks. not knowing where she
was going. and caring less.
Night came and frightened her. so she
went in search of a place 20 sleep. and
found herself on the veranda Of a large
farmhouse. where she was welcomed and
received as a guest. remaining there until
Tuesday morning.
She walked back 20 Roanoke and
reached the station Just as a train was
about TO pull out Creeping along be-
side the line OF cars. she climbed over
the railing on the platform OF an OBJ
servatou coach and entered the car I'M
seen. When the conductor found her he
made her pay cash fare.
she Had Thirty Cents.
A few hours later Miss Porter found
herself in washington. There was 30
cents in her purse. and she did not know
what TO do. After walking about the
rltv for hours she went to the Young
Woman's Christian Association and. the
police say. did something real naughty
She entered the Office OF the secretary
Of the association and found sheets Of
paper and envelopes. It is alleged she
wrote a note Of recommendation FOR her
self signing the name of the secretary.
The police aIlege the girl also forged a
check for $40. with which. IL is charged,
she purchased n suit case and clothes.
receiving several dollars in change.
When she left the store she went TO the
young woman's home, IN c street. remain
ing there until her arrest At police head
quarters the girl was questioned until
the police were convinced she did not
realize what she had done. When she
was told Of what she had done. and what
the consequences might have been, a tear
gllstened In each OF her large, brown
ewes. A matron took her away when she
began 90 weep
Inspector Boardman wired 10 the girls
father. and a reply Is expected this morn
ing. IL Is not likely the charge against
the girl will be pressed. She will prob
ably return home with her parent in
few days happier and wiser than when
she left the boarding school.