Freak of Sixteen-Year-Old Girl In California.
Published in The Galveston Daily News / October 23, 1883
STOCKTON, Cal., October 23. -- [Special] -- Mary Abbott, 16 years old, was captured at Trowbridge Saturday night after an exciting chase. She is the victim of dime novels and says she wants to be a cowboy. Her father says Mary declared her intention to become a cowboy while en route to California. Two or three times she has arisen at night, saddled a pony, and with provisions, camping outfit and pistols, started for the mountains. She was, however, each time brought back by neighbors.
Saturday Mary started out again, first going to her father’s barn, with two pistols. She remained there several hours and when discovered fired a shot, scattering her pursuers. A parson ventured into the barn, hoping to quiet the girl, but she thrust a pistol into his face and he retired. Mary soon ran out of the barn and made for the river. The crowd started after her. At length a constable fired two shots over her head, which startled her and she sprang into some hushes, which stopped her progress and she was captured.
