Searching the Google News Archive for LGBTQ Past

[Nat]

So, I recently discovered the Google News Archive, which contains actual images of old newspaper articles - some from more than a hundred years ago.

I'm wondering if anybody would like to join me in scouring the archive for articles and newspaper items related to the LGBTQ past?

I'm really hoping that we might be able to recover more of our history now.

So, if you find yourself game, and you poke around the archives and find anything interesting, please post it.

link

PS. Sadly a lot of the articles are only available for pay, but there are free ones mixed in. I hope this improves over time.

[Nat]

link

Sadly, to read the article, one must pay. But, here's the part that shows for free:

Boston Daily Globe (1872-1922) - Boston, Mass.
Author: Special Dispatch to the Globe
Date: Jul 22, 1915
Start Page: 3
Pages: 1
Text Word Count: 347

MASQUERADED AS BOY FIVE YEARS

Puffer Girl Arrested at New Haven. Made Chum of Negro Sailor She Found on Cattleboat. Forced Into Skirts, She Says Life Loses Charm.

NEW HAVEN, July 21--After five years of roaming about the country and Europe as a boy, Edna Puffer, the 18years-old girl arrested in the railroad yards late last night just as she was about to hop a fright to New York...

[Nat]

Judge Kerr's Finding

Star , Issue 9147, 30 January 1908, Page 2

In delivering judgment at the first trial, Judge Kerr, President of the Court, dealt with the articles one by one, and declared they hinted at least that plaintiff was sexually abnormal...Taking into consideration the evidence given by the expert witness, the Court had come to the conclusion that plaintiff was actually homosexual. He had an aversion for women, was inclined to the society of men, and give [sic] every sign of homosexuality."

[Nat]

Day in Court is Little Too Much

LONDON - Thirteen high school girls visited a "typical" day in court Tuesday and got more than they bargained for. The girls, ages 16 to 18, listened to:
...
Four cases of men accused of homosexual offenses

[Nat]

The Village Voice, July 3rd, 1969

Gay Power Comes to Sheridan Square

[Nat]

NZ Truth , Issue 100, 18 May 1907, Page 5

Jesse Underwood Again, breaks forth into obscenity. The Court Awards him 14 Days

[Nat]

A Female Husband

Reported for the N.Y. Express, Saturday August 13th
New-Orleans Commercial Bulletin - Aug 30, 1836

In our police report of Friday, was noticed the case of a person calling herself Jas. Walker, a male as her dress denoted. She said her real name was Jane Walker. She was examined by a surgeon and it was found that the statement as regards her sex was correct, when she removed for further examination.

...

She then stated that she had married the prisoner in 1821, in Scotland, thinking him at the time to be a male, but that she had been deceived. She did not discover the prisoner's real sex until some days after marriage, when they set sail for the United States. She has not told any one of the circumstance, not even her own relations, some of whom live in the same house with her.

...

During the examination, the prisoner was perpetually taking snuff, and seemed perfectly at ease. She was attired in striped pantaloons, a plaid stock and a grey roundabout. She on one occasion wished to persuade the magistrate that she was a hermaphrodite, but surgical examination proves her statement to be false.

[Nat]

Slander Action
Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLI, Issue 9428, 27 January 1921, Page 2

regarding Radclyffe Hall - 7 years prior to the scandal created by her novel "The Well of Loneliness"

[Nat]

link

The Yarmouth Herald, April 7, 1838

A Female Husband
From the Manchester (Eng.) Guardian

A few days ago a respectable female waited upon an attorney of this town and asked his advice in a case of a very peculiar nature. It seems that her husband, a master bricklayer, who had been in the habit of trusting her implicitly in his business, even leaving to her management the book-keeping requisite in his trade, had of late, for some cause or other, refused to allow her the usual weekly sum for house-keeping. Having also in other respects treated her as she conceived in an unkind manner, she came to take advice as to how she should proceed, under the circumstances, against her husband, whom to the astonishment of the professional gentleman she was then consulting, she declared to be not a man but a woman. The attorney thought it his duty under such singular circumstances, to bring the matter under the notice of Mr. Foster, the magistrate, who directed that Mr. Thomas should take the case under his management, and bring the parties for private examinationbefore him (Mr. Foster) at the police office. Mr. Thomas took the necessary steps, and on Thursday last, the parties were brought before Mr. Foster, in the deputy constable's room, at the police office, when the truh of the wife's averment to the attorney was corroborated in the most distinct and unqualified manner, by Mr. Oliver, surgeon to the police, who gave a certificate declaring the individual in question was a woman.

The woman-husband, we believe, did not make the least attempt to deny her sex, but contended herself with stating, that her wife had been only led to make this exposure because she had withheld from her the weekly allowance of money for house-keeping expenses. The wife replied this was not the only cause she had of complaint against her spouse; for that she (the husband) was occasionally intoxicated, and that, when in that state, the husband treated her very ill. The wife had also stated that she accidentally made the discovery of the sex of her husband as much as two or three years back, but she had kept the secret till the present time.

From what could be gleaned of the history of this female husband, it would seem that she had assumed the garb and character of a boy at an early age, and that in that character she was apprenticed, at the age of 16 or 17, to a master builder in one of the large towns of Yorkshire. Being of good exterior, with prepossessing appearance and manners, and features rather handsome, the supposed young man attracted the attention of many females in the same condition of life; and amongst others, was the one who afterwards became the wife. The attentions of the young bricklayer were acceptable and accepted, and the union took place shortly after the expiration of the apprenticeship. Soon afterwards, this couple came to Manchester, we are told, about the year 1829, where the husband commenced the business of a builder, and, by considerable skill, ability and attention to trade, was tolerably successful.

...

The assumed name of the master bricklayer is Henry Stoakes; her real name we believe to be Harriet Stokes, and, till the late exposture, the parties resided in Cumberland street, Deansgate.

...

She met with her present wife and they were married at the Old Parish Church of Sheffield, in the year 1816, when the wife was only 17 years of age. Since the investigation and disclosure of the circumstances, on Thursday week, the wife and husband have separated.

...

The habits of the latter, we believe, are much more in accordance with those of her assumed sex and occupation than of a woman: and no one, except, perchance, from her beardless cheeks and a certain shrillness of voice, could, for a moment suspect that the little broadset bricklayer was of the softer sex. At present, she employes in her business, besides being most industrious herself in its practical details andmanual operations, eight men anda boy who is apprenticed to her. In her business and dealings, she appears to have borne hitherto, a good character for punctuality and honesty in her payments, and we believe, she has stated, that she has made enough by her business to enable her to live in ease without labour; yet strange to say, with a degree of irritability which we should rather expect to find in the injuredthan the injurer, she vehemently refuses to consent that any sum should be set apart for her so called wife.

[Jess]

I wonder if the Stuart Enterprise would call me a "female husband" and how I would be charged for being "thoroughly immoral"...

Great articles. Thanks for sharing them!

[Nat]

link

FRANK DUBOIS A WOMAN; GERTIE FULLER'S HUSBAND ADMITS SHE IS NOT A MAN.
New York Times, November 2, 1883, Wednesday, page 1

The mystery regarding the sex of Frank Dubois, the female husband of the Waupun young lady, has at last been cleared up and all doubt set at rest by a statement made to the Time's correspondent by the person in question. The correspondent succeeded in tracing the couple from Waupun to Brandon, where Dubois went to avoid arrest, and last evening followed them seven miles into the country where they had taken refuge at the house of a farmer named Bristow, living on the Fond du Lao Road. There Dubois finally acknowledged herself to be a woman and the wife of S.J. Hudson, the Belvidere man.

After leaving Waupun on Monday afternoon, when the husband's sudden apearance had thrown consternation into the Fuller family, Dubois took the afternoon train for Brandon and went tothe residence of Joseph Irving, about a milefrom the place, with whom she had been acquainted since her appearance in Waupun. She said she expected to meet Mrs. Dubois soon, she intending to come to Brandon to pay a visit to the Irvings. On Tuesday afternoon, the wife arrived, the two meeting at the station and going directly to Mr. Irving's, accompanied by a sister of the young wife. The two took dinner together then left the house, ostensibly for a walk. They at once quit the town and all trace of them was lost.

The TIMES'S correspondent got a carriage and started on a search for the couple, finding them after much trouble at the Bristow farm-house. Repeated knocks brought Mr. Bristow to the door, who admitted the correspondent into the sitting-room. The couple were notified that company was awaiting their appearance below, but they refused to be seen. Arguments were brought to bear upon them, however, which finally resulted in their appearance. Dubois was without a coat, and appeared to be a slender, effeminate person. She is 4 feet 11 inches in height, weighs about 100 pounds, and has broad hips, a full chest, short arms and very small and slender hands and feet. The woman known as Mrs. Dubois - Gertie Fuller - is apparently about 17 years old, about Dubois's height, and is rather a pretty blonde with dark hair. She was in tears, and appeared greatly distressed when the question of her husband's sex was mentioned. Dubois was uneasy and cast nervous glances toward the door, and the small hands were worked and twisted in apparent mental agonry. Her features, small and delicate, and her face, smooth and beardless, appeared to be those of a lad of 19 years. Wrinkles under the eyes, teeth badly decayed, and one or two gray hairs suggested that she might be a woman of 40 years.

"Mr. Dubois," said the correspondent, "you, of course, know the stories which have been circulated concerning you."

"I do," was the hesitating answer in a voice which could not be mistaken for that of a man.

"You are married to Gertrude Fuller, are you not?"

"I am. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. H.L. Morrison, in Waupun."

"You insist that you are a man?"

"I do; I am. As long as my wife is satisfied, it is nobody's business."

"Mr. Dubois, you look like a woman and act like a woman, and there are dozens of reasons to supposeyou are not Frank Dubois, but Mrs. Hudson, a woman. Do you refuse to reveal yourself?"

"There is nothing to reveal."

"If you are caught in this disguise, you will be arrested. You should place yourself in your proper light at once, and thus avoid punishment."

"Oh, Frank, for God's sake, tell all, and have it over at this moment!" exclaimed the young and pretty wife, tears streaming down her face.

Dubois lookd toward her with trembling lip, and in a moment burst into tears. "It is true," she said at last and then endeavored to leave the room, but she was finally induced to tell her story. She said she was really Mrs. Hudson, and had tired of her husband and family, and determined to lose all identity as a wife and mother by assuming the guise of a man."

"My husband," said the female husband, "went to Illinois last Spring. I immediately assumed male attire and went to Waupun, where I had previously met and admired Gertie Fuller. I courted her and we were married, she not knowing me to be a woman until the night after the ceremony was performed. I then induced her to keep silent, which she has done. While living with my husband, I helped him support the family, peddling soaps and compounding extracts, which I disposed of. I was thus led to depend upon myself and when I took upon my shoulders the support of Gertie I felt fully able to carry the burden. I papered, painted, andmade and sould extracts, and we were happy. We were preparing to move to Elgin, Ill, when my husband came upon the scene. After he came to the house, I concealed myself for a atime and then took the train for Brandon. Gertie remaining at the house of a friend and following on Tuesday to Brandon, where we stopped at the house of an acquaintance, coming here on Tuesday evening. I will not return to live with Hudson and propose to wear pants, and smoke and earn my living as a man.

Mrs. Dubois, or more properly, Gertie Fuller, appeared utterly heartbroken, sobbing continuously during the recital of the story. She, however, confirmed the statement. She said her parents resided in Waupun, where her father and brother were engaged in the nursery business. She had married Frank Dubois, or Mrs. Hudson, and had on the night of their marriage discovered that her husband was of her own sex. They had agreed to live together and had done so. It was an affaire of their own, and nobody was concerned but themselves. They proposed to go to Fond du Lac and arrange to move to Illinois, as was intended, when the sensational story was started that the parties were both women.

Notwithstanding the apparent frankness of the statements made by both parties, ther eis evidently something concealed which they will not make public except when compelled to do so by the strong arm of the law. Mrs. Hudson, as the husband, wields a powerful influence over the young girl, who is wedded, but not a wife - an influence far more powerful than would be possible for one woman to wield over another unless stronger ties bound them together than those existing between the Hudson woman and Gertrude Fuller. The couple expressed determination to go to Fond du Lac to-day.

Mrs. Hughlitt, mother fo the wife of Frank Dubois, stated this morning that she would commence an action against Dubois for the return of her daughter. She has asked officers to arrest both parties when their wereabouts are discovered.

-------------------

Frank and Gertie did separate. Gertie did return to her mother's where she later bore a child whom she insisted was Frank's - then she married a cis-guy and moved ran off to Wisconsin. link

[Nat]

The Story of Countess Sarolta Vay

Otago Witness , Issue 1891, 1 May 1890, Page 22




I googled Sarolta Vay and found a pic:



and a link to more info

[Nat]

SOME "FEMALE HUSBANDS."
Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume VXII, Issue 7221, 8 June 1901, Page 3

[Nat]

a cute story of a straight? couple- the woman a crossdresser - 1877

[Nat]

http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi...T18690616.2.20

A FEMALE GROOM AND BURGLAR.
West Coast Times , Issue 1164, 16 June 1869, Page 3

[Nat]

THE MAN IN PETTICOATS.
Wanganui Herald, Rōrahi XXXVI, Putanga 10682, 28 Pipiri 1902, Page 3

[Nat]

A Man in Cleveland Personating a Woman for Fourteen Years.
Published: July 2, 1865

About two months ago a young girl of pleasing looks and address arrived in Cleveland from New-York. At first she obtained a position as a waitress in a hotel, and afterward took charge of the cigar stand at the Varieties, a concert saloon of that name in Cleveland. There her good looks and winning ways obtained her numerous customers, and she drove a thriving business. In many cases her fascinated patrons refused to take any change, and thus "Miss ADDIE" for that was her name -- throve apace in her own right, and managed to pick up any amount of pin money. ADDIE's admirers, from the first, were numerous; but eventually they beseiged her in droves, so that often the cigar stand would prove more profitable than the stage itself. She was an accomplished coquette, and thus had a smile for each and every one of the crazy crew at her feet. Her smiles were by no means confined to the young, for gray hairs were found worshipping at her shrine as often as the fair locks of youth. Among those who wooed her were old bachelors, Young America, and men of family and widowers, and brainless fops, and boys whose chins had not even made the acquaintance of down. And the attentions to which she was treated were by no means confined to the wordy class. No, indeed; substantials in abundance fell to her lot. Old Mr. So-and-so gave her a now silk dress, and "old batch" So-and-so presented her with several dozen pairs of pocket-handkerchiefs, and fast Mr. So-and-so sent her two pairs of silk gaiters and a few pairs of Alexander's best, while Master So-and-so gave her an order for a new bonnet. Then, too, scarcely a day passed that she was not taken out to ride behind a pair offset nags, with all the usual accessories of ice cream, strawberries and cream, Roman punch, &c. Thus things west on -- from the time of her appearance at the Varieties -- in this roseate way, until a few days ago, when the astounding discovery was made that "Miss Addle" was a man! Of course, the manager and her crowd of admirers were both astounded and inclined to doubt their senses; but in spite of all, it turned out that she was not a woman, but that he was a man. The young man stated that, for fourteen years, he had worn the garb of a woman, in which guise his fair and pleasing looks had materially assisted him. In fact he looks as much like a woman when in male attire as when dressed in bonnet and gown. In New-York he played the part of a "pretty waiter girl" at a Broadway Varieties, remaining there till waiter girls were, "crushed,'' when he went to Cleveland. Since the discovery of his ruse, he has gone upon the stage, and appears each evening at the Varieties in "part first."

[Nat]

Special to The New York Times.

Man in Skirts Sent to Jail
December 31, 1914, Thursday

Page 5, 420 words

[Nat]

Norfolk Vigilante fatally shoots 4 in Virginia bar
May 14, 1976

[Nat]

Impersonator Jailed for Attacking Officer
Milwaukee Journal, March 24, 1964

Richard C. Williams, 24, of 636 W. Juneau Av., was sentenced to one year in the house of correction Monday by County Judge Christ T Seraphim on a charge of resisting arrest. He also received a concurrent 30 day sentence for disorderly conduct. Police said Williams attacked a vice squad officer who was attempting to arrest him for allegedly impersonating a woman. Williams pleaded guilty to both charges.