Evening Star: "A VERY QUEER CASE IN BALTIMORE", August 1, 1879

A Washington, D.C. newspaper reports:

A VERY QUEER CASE IN BALTIMORE. – George Ott and his son, tailors, in East Baltimore, brought suit yesterday against Joseph Wyman, alias “Mary,” to recover $5,000, the value of property which they claim Wyman has got possession of illegally. Both Ott and his son are sort of half crazy men, who know little of men or business. Seven or eight times Wyman was dismissed from the Catholic Band of Christian Brothers, and, assuming woman’s clothes, he made the acquaintance of the Otts, gained some influence over them, and finally got control of their business. He went by the name of “Mary,” and, as a woman, had the privileges of the house, which he is said to have abused in his relations with Mr. Ott’s wife. He has carried on this deception for eight years, although the family with which he has lived has known of it for some time. It is claimed that Wyman exercised such influence over Ott that he confined him to his room, depriving him of his liberty, and thus got complete control of the business, appropriating all the proceeds. Wyman will bring a counter-suit, claiming that he has carried on the business for the Otts and supported them, and that there is still money due him. The trial of this case is expected to bring out some queer developments. Wyman was an orphan boy in the care of St. James Orphan Church.

Tags

Catholic Church

cross-dressing

law

legal case

religion

transgender

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