Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 147, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 June 1918 — FINDS IT EASY TO BE A “WOMAN" [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

FINDS IT EASY TO BE A “WOMAN"

Mexican Poses as Fair Cloak Model and Dupes Many Lovers. » ■■ HAS MANY PICTURES Mementoes of Conquests Held by “Gertrude,” Who Finds Build Better Fitted for Feminine Than Masculine Robes. El Paso, Tex.—The most remarkable case of masquerading on record Is that credited to “Gertrude” Garcia, twentythree years old and of Mexican parentage, who successfully gulled department managers of San Francisco, El Paso, Tex., and other cities; beguiled scores of lovers; hoodwinked the police and even posed as a cloak model in exclusive women’s establishments, demonstrating how easy it is for clothes to make the woman. But “Gertrude” failed to fool one man, Immigration Inspector E. M. Marnell, on duty at the international bridge at El Paso, when he attempted to come across the American boundary from Juarez with a passport signed “Maria” Garcia. A dazzling frock, high-heeled sh9es, the latest twist in coiffures, penciled brows, jet ear pendants and a stray dimple were not sufficient “camouflage” to fool the keeneyed inspector, and “Gertrude” and two of her latest admirers and dupes were turned back. Garcia's Amazing Dual Life. The exposure brought to light the amazing dual life led by Genobeba Garcia, bom in Zacatecas, Mex., who first entered the United States in the guise of a woman in 1915, accompanied by a man who posed as her husband. Garcia’s face is as smooth as a child’s 1 . It never has known a razor. His habits, physiognomy, deportment and appearance are those of a woman. His hands arb small and tapering and he walks with a feminine stride, due probably to the constant wearing of high-heeled shoes, examining physicians state. “It will be difficult for ‘Gertrude’ to make a living as a man,” was the re- : port of immigration service physicians, i ‘’because of the peculiar mannerisms

and feminine characteristics which his constant pose as a woman for paany years have developed to a marked degree.” His hair, which he wears like a woman, extends far below the waist, when taken down. It never has been cut. Mexican Had Many Admirers. Trunks which Garcia attempted to get across the Mexican border at the time he was apprehended contained quantities of feminine attire. They also contained pictures of many men, who, Garcia explained with a smile, had been admirers of his and who never had penetrated his disguise. Garcia told the Immigration officials that many of his conquests were made while he was posing as a cloak model in shops at El Paso, San Diego and San Francisco.

“Gertrude" Failed to Fool One Man.