Arresting Attire

There's a shrewdness in her eyes. And what about her mouth, with its barely up-turned corners, as if she's just finished telling the photographer a joke and is waiting to see if he gets it. Her body language is relaxed, despite that high-collared, stiffly pleated shirtwaist she's got on. From the collection of the author. … Continue reading Arresting Attire

The Veiled Man

Ernest Long was arrested on March 21, 1922, in San Francisco. The charges were dressing in “women’s garb” and carrying a concealed weapon—a revolver. At the time of his arrest Ernest worked as a marine engineer on the steamship “Rose City,” which traveled between San Francisco and Portland. When the police interviewed Ernest’s wife, Lulu, … Continue reading The Veiled Man

Puzzled Police

On March 4, 1938, Jean Williams was arrested in Scranton, Pennsylvania, for disorderly conduct. Born in New York City, Jean told the police she worked as a “nightclub entertainer.” After conducting a search of her person, police placed Jean, who was dressed in men’s clothing, in the cell room for males. Apparently this was her … Continue reading Puzzled Police