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The gypsy camp, located in Daugherty's grove,
was visited by six or seven hundred people yesterday afternoon.
Many of the dear girls went into the tents, and had their fortunes
told, others inspected the pretty wagons, while the men folks
played ball and swapped stories and other things with the bucks.
It was not much like the Sabbath, in this camp of wanderers.
The exciting incident of the day was at about eight o'clock, when
Officers Disbrow, Fridiger and Latshaw entered the camp. Mr. Fridiger
had a warrant for the arrest of Minnie A. Long, charged by Humane
Agent Milton Townsend, with incorrigibility, at the instance of
her sister Miss Vernie Long. It was expected that the gypsies
would create a scene when the young girl, who joined her fortune
with them but a few days ago, was taken. But such was not the
case. Mr. Fridiger found the girl without any trouble and after
reading the warrant to her, took her away in a buggy and to-day
took her to Morganza.
Minnie is only 15 years of age and is right pretty. Her sister
is 18. The girls are orphans and have been living out at private
houses. She says that she was illtreated by the family with whom
she was living as a domestic, and sought relief and protection
which was offered by the gypsy band. The arrest of the fair young
gypsy created considerable excitement in the camp, and was the
topic of conversation during the remainder of the day.
Minnie, who is certainly one of life's unfortunates, was seen
at the lockup last night. The poor girl was broken hearted and
could hardly talk between sobs and tears. She was poorly clad
and looked as if her lot was not a happy one. Her father's name,
she said, was W. J. Long, and he died at Hookstown about one year
ago. She said the gypsies treated her well, giving her one child
to take care of and not compelling her to do any hard work. She
said she was perfectly willing to go to Morganza if the authorities
of the institution only treated her nice. From her conversation
it was apparent that her life for a few years back at least, has
been unhappy.