Gazette Of The United States, & Philadelphia Daily Advertiser

PITTSBURGH, August 31.

On the 23d inst. between the hours of two and three o'clock in the morning, a person calling himself Samuel Johnson, was brought before Justice Wilkins, apprehended in committing a burglary in the house of Mr. Thomas Bracken, in this borough. On examination, some suspicions arising that this person was not a man, though habited as such, a strict search took place, and it was soon discovered, that HE was of the female sex. All necessary precautions had been taken to prevent a discovery, and in which he succeeded for a length of time, as appears by her confession, viz.

That she was a married woman, and had five children, the oldest 18 years of age; that she had worn men's clothing 5 years, and passed by the name of Samuel Johnston; had worked and been several times in Pittsburgh, in the same clothing; that her present place of abode was in the Forks of Yough, where she passed for a weaver; that her connections and children were in Virginia, and that her name was Sarah Johnson: that when she was taken in Mr. Bracken's, another person, called John Clark, was also in the house, but made his escape; that he had stole a bridle and saddle out of Mr. Crabb's tavern, and that he made his home about the Black Horse tavern in the forks of Yough, Turnbull's iron works, and Devore's Ferry.

She is confined in the gaol of Allegheny county, and it is supposed she is connected with a gang of horse thieves, and that their chain of conveying horses to their connexions in different parts of the United States, is through the Forks of Yough; therefore the inhabitants ought to be watchful of all suspicious persons.