Transcription:
A Strange Metamorphosis
A remarkable phenomenon is related by the Dubuque(?) Times. Major Powell*, for-merly editor of the Minneapolis Tribune, some ten years ago married an accom-plished young lady in Broadhead, Wis. Soon after the marriage a change in the wife began to take place: her complexion became swarthy and a beard began to grow, which demanded and received the assiduous attention of a razor. Other physical changes went on, and after the couple had been reasonably happily mar-ied for a period of nearly three years, it became impossible to deny the fact that the girl was more man than woman.
A visit was made to Chicago, an eminent physician was consulted, who confirmed the suspicion, and the major and his wife separated, there being no matrimonial pre-vision to bind two males together. The metamorphosized individual availed him-self of his prerogative, put away crinoline and donned male habliments, and com-menced work at a drug store in Chicago under the name of E.W. Burnham a change in the given name only being given to suit the change in sex. During the period young Burnham had lived as a woman, the acquaintance had been formed of another young woman, which acquaint-ance was renewed, and in course of time they were married. This couple are now traveling through the west with a dramatic company known as the Burnham Novelty Company. These facts, says the Dubuque(?) Times, are well authenticated. Mr. Burnham is the nephew of a prominent citizen of Minneapolis, in whose family he lived as a charming young girl for con-siderable time, and is the subject of one of those curious freaks of nature, which are rare, but undoubtedly occur.
From the Dubuque(?) Times, Mar. 28, 1882. Courtesy of the Digital Transgender Archive.
*Burnham's ex-husband appears to have a different name in this second article clipping than in the first (Palmer vs Powell)
E.W. Burnham
Head of Burnham Novelty company
Trans guy (unknown specifics). Referred to self as male.
Born: Unknown
Died: Unknown
Transcription:
A Man and husband has turned up in St. Paul who was once a woman and wife. He, she or it is now known as E.W. Burnham, the head of the Burnham Novelty company. When he, she or it (pronouns get badly mixed in this case) was a blooming girl of nineteen summers and a smooth face, she was married to Major Palmer, formerly editor of the Minneapolis Tribune. After three hap-py years as a wife, a transformation came on. She shed her smoothness and a hirsute covering bearded her face.
She became a man, and as Palmer wanted a woman for his wife, a divorce ensued. Then she, who was now he, not relishing a bachelor's lonely life, married a lovely girl who is now his wife, and one of the members of his company. And so the old classic fable is revived in our neigh-boring city, and we have a he that was a she, and knows all about it.
Wonder if he has any special skill in managing his wife, or if he can dodge with more success than those who were always males, when she wants a new dress or a new hat?
From the Duluth News-Tribune, Mar. 17, 1882. Courtesy of the Digital Transgender Archive.
