Year: 1875

Change of ofSex-Wearing the Breeches


-Dingman and lady walk the plank


AZ santa Barbara--The Herald sem


sation not spoiled.


Having promptly notified the pub
lie of Dingman's sudden departure we
deem 1t proper to furnish our readers
with little sketch of his adventures
on the rolling deep, which we find in
the Santa Barbara Press of the 7th.
inst:


This morning just after the steamer
Orizata left the wharf, it was reported
that lady passenger, Mrs. j. Allen,
was missing. The stewardess went to
the stateroom occupied by her, and
found il empty, with the clothes be-
longing to her hanging up behind the
door. A report was instantly made to
the captain, who ordered thorough
search Of the ship to be made, which
was done without success. Captain
Johnson Immediately put the vessel
back to port, and proceeded to inves-
tigate the matter. In course OF in
quiry it came out that this lady had
left Los Angeles, purporting to visit
Mr.. McCurdy's family in Santa Bar
bara, and that gentleman went down
to meet her this morning on her ar
rival of the steamer, but no one knew
anything other. 1t was then discOv-
cred that she was seen by some of the
passengers walking on deck at half
past 8 last night III company with n
man, and as that was the last seen of
her. the inference was drawn that
there had been foul play. The man,
ID. J. Dingmau, of Los Angeles, used
to keep fancy store in that city and
it was reported that he was very inti-
mate with this lady, accordingly MIR.
Froom, the agent of the Steamship
Company authorized the detention of
the vessel until he could fetch the
Sheriff, who soon arrived and decided
to get warrant to arrest the man on
q charge of abduction, as 1t was stated
that he was running away with her,
and by that means endeavOred to get
to the bottom of the affair. He accOr-
dinghy procured q warrant and arrest
ed him OH that charge, and that man,
who, of course. knew the whole affair.
decided to make a clean breast of 1t,
and told the sheriff that he knew
where she was, and would take HIM to
her. She was discovered in staterOOm
N, dressed in suit of boys clothes,
in which she had decided to escape.
When discovered she showed no signs
of confusion or fear, but faced the
crowd like tigress at bay, and poured
forth torrent of abuse because they
were looking at her. AS soon as the
gangway was cleared she was march
ed down by the Captain and taken of
the ship in custody of Mr.. McCurdy,
who had received q telegram from her
husband, asking him to send her back
Immediately. She still wore the male
attire, which caused loud shout of
laughter, as, in spite of the clothes,
she could not conceal the fact that she
was woman. She was driven up
town by George Sprague to the resi-
dence of Mr. McCurdy, who will take
charge of her until he hears from her
husband again. The man was brought
OH shore in custody of the Sheriff. AS
the woman left the wharf she faced
the crowd who had assembled and
shook her fist at them. A further re-
port will be given when the case is
tried.


Later. This case was tried this
morning and Mr.. Dingman was dis
charged, as it was proved that the act
was voluntary on the part of Mrs. AL
len, and no abduction had taken
place.


So ends, for the present, the famous
scandal. For this moral leper, Ding
man, we have unutterable contempt,
but weare shocked ut the want of
taste which prompted a good looking
woman like Mrs. Allen to associate
with him. Mr.. Allen has our deepest
sympathy in his misfortune, but he
can thank the HERALD for its valu-
able services in having his wife re-
turned to him instead of having her
masquerade to Australia with Ding
man.