Boy Passed Off 21 Years as Girl At Mother's Request, Aug. 6, 1921

Boy Passed Off 21 Years As Girl

That truth is stranger than fiction was brought to light by reports of a boy on Ocracoke Island, off the North Carolina coast, who masqueraded as a girl from the time of his birth until he was 21 years old. That the story is true is vouched for by Allison Gales of Portsmouth, Va., who recently spent a few days in Charlotte.

Mr. Gales has been going to Okracoke for his summer vacation for several years. The island is famous for its splendid fishing and bathing, being the rendezvous of many whose eyes have been opened to the pleasures to be had there. Mr. Gales has seen the “girl” on a number of occasions and declared that teach time he was completely fooled.

“The boy called ‘herself’ Vera Williams,” explained Mr. Gales. “His masquerade was first started by his mother, who had wished him to be born a girl. She dressed him up in girl clothes when he was a small tot and told him that he was a little girl. When he grew older, she begged him for her sake to continue the masquerade. He agreed to do so, and until he was 21 years old he wore his hair long and ran around in girls’ clothes.

“I have myself talked to the boy, thinking him a girl. His voice, I recollect, was rather hoarse for that of a girl, but being absolutely certain that I was talking to a girl at the time, I never stopped to give it a thought. I have since heard that several of the islanders actually fell in love with him.

“The boy’s real name is Charles E. Williams. When he reached 21 years of age a few weeks ago, he decided to make a man of himself, and accordingly ordered a complete man’s outfit. He hid this in his room, and one night after the family had gone to sleep, he cut his hair and donned the clothes.

“I was on the boat the next morning when he left for Beaufort. Not a soul of the many who knew him recognized him, and it was only when in conversation with one whom he knew that he spilled the beans. I then crowded around him with the rest to hear the astonishing facts in the case. He declared that it was solely to please his mother that he had so masqueraded. He stated that owing to the fact that his beard was getting so heavy that he could no shave close enough to conceal his identity, he had realized that the jig was up. He stated that he was going to Baltimore to get a job in a restaurant, having learned to cook from his mother.

“Of course, everybody on the boat was dumfounded. I have told the tale scores of times, but many people think it’s a joke. There are dozens of people who can verify the fact, however.

“The boy has since returned to the island, there is there now. He has the consolation that few people will try to kid him about his masquerade, as he says the joke is on his many “beaus” about the island.”

From The Charlotte News, Sunday, Aug. 7, 1921