A Woman’s Strange Adventures.

Manawatu Herald, 24 September 1904, Page 3

A Woman’s Strange Adventures.

The little old woman in male attire, Catherine Coombes, otherwise “ Charlie ” Wilson, who was detained by the police on a charge of drunkenness at Pimlico, was brought before Mr Francis, on remand, having been bailed from Holloway.— Det. Tanner gave the court a short history of Mrs Coombes’ remarkable Career, mentioning that she had married two wives, living happily with one for four years and the other for 22 years.—Mr Francis: What-, became of them?—Witness; Both are dead. A few years ago defendant bad to apply for admission to Chelsea Workhouse, where women’s clothing was given to her.—Mr Francis: I don't see any reason why she should not be discharged. At fitst I thought it was a suspicions circumstance to find an old woman dressed as a man. But now it has a 1 been explained, and as I know nothing in law to prevent a woman dressing as a man, she is entitled to her liberty.—Defendant, who looked better than she did when she was arrested, left the court with the gentleman who had bailed her, he stating that some employment would be found for her.