IN MAN'S ATTIRE.

NZ Truth, Issue 71, 27 October 1906, Page 3

IN MAN'S ATTIRE.

ROMANCE IN REAL LIFE. Marion Edwards' Extraordinary Escapade. An Alleged Melbourne Bnrglar Masquerading m Brisbane. There are very few people m Brisbane who would have thought it possible for a young woman, twenty-five years of age to live m that city for 14 months disguised as a man, and during that time quietly follow at least two occupations, one of which, at. any rate, would keep him, or rather her, before the public gaze all-, the day long. And yet that is what Marion Edwards, a well-built young Welshwoman- of medium build, with a^ somewhat JtiandSqme, rndspuline typ.e of features, sparklmg 1 blue eyes, anil hut brown .; hair,,, has been doing. Even now it is dou'totful, whether she would have been discovered, had it not been for the long arm of the law. - MARION EDWARDS' UNDOING was that curiosity,, so innate m her sex, as to the 'fate of a man who had been her "pal," and who if he did know her sex did not disclose it. To put the fact's of the case into chronological order— on April 30, 1905, two young % men, or at any rate, two persons m male attire were arrested m Collingwood, Mel!bourne, on a charge of breaking and j entering. One escaped, 'but the other { who gave the name of William Edi wards was locked up. He was afterwards admitted to bail, but before his trial came on, absconded, and the police of the various States were duly advised to keep a look out for the "man" m question. All efforts, however, on the part of the detective department failed for 'months to FIND ANY TRACE of the absconder, until some weeks affo, when it became known to the police that the "wanted" was acting as a barman. in Brisbane. Now, the Criminal 'Investigation Branch have had, it appears, for the last month,- a perjson under observation, suspected of being 'a woman masquerading as a man, and who has been employed m various hotels as a barman and assistant cook. At the last National Association's show this person served at one of the bars. The whiteness of the throat and the small -hands had already attracted the attention of more than one "demon," but none suspected the natty little "barman" as the person wanted for THE COLLINGWOOD ROBBERY. A month ago Detective Donnelly was confirmed m his suspicions that there was some very good reason .for the disguise, and from other information of which he became possessed, lie went lon Thursday to the public gallery of "the District Court, where Edwards was seated, listening to the trial. When Donnelly spoke to her, she admitted that she was the William Edwards wanted m Melbourne, but -that her real name was Marion Edwards, , and that she was not a man but a woman. The arrest is just one more feather m the caps of the local detective force, and we doubt if the Melbourne police will /fully appreciate it, seeing that she was several hours IN THEIR -CUSTODY at the time of the arrest over the Collingwood affair. We believe that m order to disguise her,- small feet she used to wear men's boots and stuff them up with paper. Marion Edwards, while m Brisbane, has, according to the police report, and they jhave watched ther lor 14: months, conducted herself m a most exemplary, manner, morally and otherwise. [Among her friends was the man" John Hope, who was convicted bn Friday of burglary, and whose trial she was watching at the time of.-' her arrest. We are told that for a time she assisted him at his trade of French polishinjr. but tfcat other rumors with regard to their relationship are entirely without foundation Hope is also a Melbourhite. POLICE COURT PROCEEDINGS. When the case of William Edwards" alias Marion Edwards, aged 25 a native of Wales, was called, a dapper well-dressed woman, wearing a darkblue suit, white shirt, double fold collar and blue tie, with a Panama hat stood up. Her smooth face, somewhat browned, gave her the appearance of a youth of 19 or 20 She was perfectly calm, and seemed to 'be tickled by.- the proceedings, . sitting with her arms folded across her chest The court was crowded with a curious GAZING, AND GAPING CONGREGATION of l%fers, and court habitues. Sen-VX-sergeant O'Sullivan, C.1.8., appeared for the police, and Sub-inspec-tor Short was als 0 ' present^ Detective John Donnelly said he knew the defendant as William Edwards, alias McKay, alias Marion Edwards. About 11 o'clock on September 27 he saw her m the public gallery of the District Court, and told her there was a warrant out for her arrest for having, on April 30, 1905, feloniously broken into the dwellinghouse of. Nellie Hornsby, of Collingwood, Victoria, with intent to commit a felony. She replied, "I know that." He then read a provisional warrant to her. She made no reply. Witness further said he had known defendant for 14 months, but had only become aware that she was a woman during the last month. (At this defendant blushed deeply.) She admitted to him she was a woman. At the watch-house she said her correct name was Marion Edwards. On the application of the police the defendant was remanded for a week to allow the Melbourne police to be communi-