The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1919-10-17
STORY OF n. Z. UNDERWORLD
Girl, Is, Tells OF Life With Gunman
Who Kidnapped Her AT 1S.

Thelma Bowie, L., for whom two
men have been shot and killed, an
other sent to Sing Sing and a fourth
arrested charged with homicide, told
the New York American the story OF
the remarkable life she has led in
the two years she has been associat-
ed with gunner and gangsters.
AT l3 she was kidnapped for
Runman who was fascinated by her
beauty. But instead Of returning to
her home when this man was sent to
Sing Sing for violating the Mann act
she elected to remain in the life he
had taught her She used half a
dozen aliases, and although known
To the police, was never in serious
danger of being caught until recently
Then she admitted she was in the
automobile in which Joseph Merrittc
was shot and killed near North Ber-
gen, ~. J.
When Thelmas father and mother
separated a number of years ago the
little girl was sent to live with he1
grandmother, Mrs. A. Bowie, 20 Al
den avenue, Trenton. Two years
ago this fall the child was sent or
an errand in Trenton While stand
dressed woman asked her to take q
ride in an automobile This woman
was working for a gunrtlan known as
Peter CavaccanO.
A general alarm was sent out fol
the missing girl. She had been
drugged and taken to an East Side
den.
Six weeks later Cavaccano was
kr;a of NJ
Mann act and sent to Sing Sing
Thelma took the name of Dorothy
Pierson and some times used the
name of Carmine Glover.
When Thelma told her story she
was fashionab1y dressed and did not
seem to realize the seriousness OF
the tale she related.
After Cavaccano went to Sing Sing
she took up with Joe MongO, known
to the police as a gunman. About
this time Joseph Merritto saw DOR
othy,' as she was then known, and
decided he must win her. A few
weeks later the body of Mongo was
found in Washington square.
Thelma then took up with Merritto,
but about six months ago decided to
return home and see her moth er
said she lived in East Seventeenth
street. and was we'll dressed, but not
well supplied with money. She was
I'LL and under the care Of the Trenton
Board OF Health.
She said she had returned to Mer-
ritto, and it was assumed that he was
not far away when she was arrested
in New York August 80, 1918 for
carrying a revolver She admitted
that she often carried the arms for
gunner.
Taking up the story at this point,
the girl said she grew tired of Mer-
ritto and transferred her affections
to Anthony PriVinzinO, 30 years old,
also a gunman. She and Anthony
went to a New Jersey roadhouse for
a few days vacation.
She said that Merritto trailed them
to the rOadhouse. She and Anthony
saw Merritto waiting outside for
them They waited until after dark,
then called a taxi. AS the taxi left
the roadhouse Merritto jumped in the
car She said he drew a revolver
and struck her on the chin with the
butt of the gun before Privinzino
shot him in the head.
The wounded man was carried to
dark spot on the Hudson County
boulevard and there thrown in the
roadway. Immediately after hearing
her story detectives went to Easton,
where Privinzino was found and ar
rested He verified the girls story,
but declared he shot in self-defense