Emma Snodgrass arrests

New York Daily Times  (November 30, 1852)
“Miss Emma Snodgrass, a young woman of seventeen, belonging to New York, has a second time been taken into custody by the police of Boston for donning the breeches.  The first time of her appearing in male apparel was, it will be remembered, when she applied for and obtained a situation as clerk at the clothing establishment of John Simmons & Co., Water street, from whence, on the discovery of her real sex, she was taken to the police office, and thence to the house of her father, a respectable city official in New York.  A day or two since she returned to Boston, and in female apparel put up at the Washington Coffee House.  Yesterday she left the house, but soon after returned, dressed in a frock coat, cap, vest and pants.  The bar-keeper at once recognized her, and informed the Chief of Police of her whereabouts.  What her motive may be for thus obstinately rejecting the habiliments of her own sex, is not known.”

 

Hornellsville Tribune  (December 4, 1852), Hornellsville, New York
3 Dec 1852 “Again in Breeches – The New York girl who was noticed about a week since under the names of George Green and Emma Snodgrass and who donned the pants and was employed for a short time as a clerk in an extensive clothing warehouse in this city, is again in town.  It will be recollected that a few days since the girl was furnished with proper and comfortable garments, and returned to New York in company with her brother.  On Monday evening Emma, whose surname is not Snodgrass, arrived in this city dressed in a neat frock coat, cloth cap, and black broadcloth pants, and took lodgings at the Washington Coffee House,  where she remained until yesterday, when she was identified as the female who was the subjects of so many remarks through the papers about a week since.  She was taken to the office of the Chief of Police, and last night remained at the house of one of the city officers, who will see that she is again returned to her father’s house.  The motives of the girl for persisting in such improper conduct have not transpired – Boston Journal.”

 

New York Daily-Times  (January 8, 1853)
“The foolish girl, Emma Snodgrass, who goes about in virile toggery, was taken before the Court here, as a vagrant, a day or two ago.  But it was proved that she did not beg nor misbehave herself, and that she payed her way.  She was therefore let go — to pursue a wretched life of idleness and immorality.”
 

Daily Alta California  (February 7, 1853) “Letter From Boston”
“I mentioned, in my last letter, an eccentric female who roams about town, dressed in the habiliments of the other sex.  She was arrested the other day on a charge of vagrancy, but the charge was not sustained and she was liberated.  She was again arrested at the warrant of her father, who is Mr. Snodgrass, Captain of the First Ward Police in New York.  When she appeared in court, she was accompanied by another female also dressed in men’s clothes, and it was with great difficulty that the friends could be separated.  Snodgrass was finally sent to New York in charge of an officer, and her friend was packed off to the House of Industry for two months.  Snodgrass used to circulate in all the drinking houses, made several violent attempts to talk ‘horse,’ and do other things for which ‘fast’ boys are noted.”

 

New York Daily-Times  (March 23, 1853) New York, New York
“The Albany Journal says: Emma Snodgrass, the lady of newspaper notoriety — the wanderer in man’s apparel — who some time since created a great deal of talk in Boston, and was finally brought before the Police Magistrate of that city has at last paid us a visit.  She put up at the Exchange Hotel, registering her name as Henry Lewis, Boston.  She visited the Museum, and strolled around town.  The fact leaked out, and she began to attract a good deal of attention; so while engaged in viewing the architectural beauties of the Exchange, she was requested to view the Second District Station House and be introduced to Chief Morgan.  She evaded, at first, her identity, but finally frankly owned up.”
 

New York Daily Times  (March 24, 1853)
“A petition is in circulation in Boston, for signatures, to be presented to the forthcoming Constitutional Convention, asking that an amendment to the Constitution may be reported, striking out the word ‘male’ wherever it occurs in that instrument.  It is signed by Lucy Stone, Abby Kelly Foster, &c.; but we do not learn from the Springfield Republican, whether Emma Snodgrass has yet attached her name to the document or not.”
 
Fort Wayne Times And Peoples Press  (April 27, 1853) Fort Wayne, Indiana
“Emma Snodgrass, the girl in pantaloons, who disturbed the equanimity of the sleepy magistracy in the eastern cities, not long since, was last seen at Louisville, on her way to California.  She wears a frock coat, glazed cap, striped pantaloons, &c., and has the appearance of quite a good looking young man.  She is a practical Woman’s Rights girl.”
 
Democratic Banner  (June 10, 1853) Davenport, Iowa
“Miss Emma Snodgrass, the young lady, who is so fond of wearing pantaloons and other articles of male attire, was arrested in Cleveland last week.”
 
Grant County Herald  (July 13, 1853) Lancaster, Wisconsin
“It is stated that Emma Snodgrass has repented, gone home, taken off her breeches, and sworn eternal attachment to petticoats and propriety.  This is to her credit.”