Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-09-20
China, Me-, WonnanCauses
Sensation at Portsmouth.
Dresses as Man and Registers
As Such at Hotel.
Later Declares Herself q Woman-.'
Under Police Surveillance.

Portsmouth, n. H., Sept. 19.-Mrs.
Henry Melvin. China, Me-, VINO ar
rived here two days ago dressed as a
man and declared her sex saturday az
ternoon, is under police surveillance,
awaiting the arrival of her husband
from Portland, Me, to explain her
masquerade.
THURSDAY Mrs. Melvin came here and
registered at Hotel Kearsarge as Hen
nv Melvin" She was dressed in a
neat suit Of mems clothes, her close
cropped nair and 1.-THE figure arousing
no suspicion that she was not man.
She was assigned room by the clerk
and In the evening and during her stay
until Saturday afternoon she passed
as a man, sitting in the hotel office,
Joining in the general conversation
with other men about the office.
Saturday afternoon while she was
chatting with Some other men tele-
gram came for Henry Melvin. She
signed for il and opened it. In evil
dent confusion she hurriedly left the
hotel, visiting several dry goods stores
and returning laden down with bundles.
She stopped at the hotel desk. ask
ing to be shown the place where she
had registered. She explained her re-
quest by saying that she would put
q Mrs" in front of her signature.
She then went to her room, while
the clerk, as soon as he had recovered
from his establishment, telephoned' for
Chief of Police Hurley. Chief Hurley
hurried to the hotel and was shown
to Mrs. Melvin's room. His knock was
answered by an invitation to enter.
i THE chief saw a woman sitting in
chair, reading a book. She was dressed
In kimono. the short hair partly con-
eealed by large golf cap. At first she
refused any explanation. Only after
Chief Hurley had threatened her with
prosecution did she tell him anything.
She claimed to be Mrs. Henry Melvin
of China, Me. In her possession We're
several bank books, some in her own
name and some in her husbands name.
She also carried a large amount of
cash.
She gave as her motive desire to
be- free from annoyance while travel
ling. Her presence IN Portsmouth she
explained by claiming to be interested
in some deeds there, where she says
her husband was born. No one can
be found who remembers Henry
Melvin.
The telegram she received she said
was from her husband announcing his
arrival in Portland. She had expected
hir1 on the express from Portland that
arrives shortly after P. NJ.
When 'he" first walked into the lob
by of the hotel there were several
people around, but no one had the least
suspicion aroused. They were all sure,
If they gave it thought, that the new
arrival was a man, attractive in APP
peara'lce and about 40 years old.
HE" strOlled to the register and
signed a name in free hand, Henry
Melvin The clerk, commenting on the
weather. gave him" a key and as
signed him to a room.
Later in the evening "Mr. Melvin"
came downstairs, sat in the hotel Of
flee with the other men. talking poll
tics and joining in the general con-
'versation. Friday most of the day
was spent by Mr. Melvin in the no.
tel office.
Later a telegram arrived for "Mr.
Henry Melvin" "He" signed for it,
opened it, and as "he" read it became
then. making several purchases at the
dry goods stores in town. He" return
ed late, ana walking to the hotel clerk
asked to be shown the place "he'' had
registered on Thursday
The clerk found the place and was
then electrified to hear Mr. Melvin
say: II guess I'll put Mrs. in front
of my signature" He" went to his
room then.
The register was stormed by those
who had overheard the nonchalant ex-
PLANTATION of MIR. Melvin" and the
clerk Immediately telephoned for Chief
of Police Hurley.
The chief arrived in post haste and
was sent up to the room occupied by
the lerson of the dual sex. His rap was
answered by a woman's voice. He open
ed the door to, see woman clad in
clinging kimono sitting in a chair read
ing book. Her short hair was partly
concealed by large golf cap. but eX-
ccpt for the short hair no one could
doubt that cit was a woman.
The chief was nonplussed. He had
been told that there was man in the
room, and found woman. EXplana-
tions followed after the chief threat
'ened to arrest Mrs. Melvin as she
now insisted her name was
Il belong in China. Maine." she told
him. II have business here where my
husband was born. had to travel, and
! thought it would be safer and save
me from annoyance if l adopted mans
clothing
well. what l want to know" insist
ed the chief, flushed by his confusion,
"is whether you are really man or a
woman now1'
She insisted that she was a woman.
The paper used for the Sunday issues
Of about 500 American papers would suf-
nee for 100000 volumes of 500 pages each