There are many reasons why a wedding may be called off. Finding out that your beautiful wife to be is actually a man, that would be one of those reasons. That is the situation Roscoe Billman found himself in in March of 1907. But Roscoe wouldn’t have to call the wedding off; instead his fiancé would simply vanish from the area.
The entire ordeal began in the summer of 1906. A young woman named Helen Manley would enter the Black Hills and quickly began stealing hearts. Helen would travel throughout the northern Black Hills, performing as an accomplished pianist.
While it was the piano recitals that brought people in, it was Helens brilliant conversational abilities that made people stay. Making friends, as well as winning over admirers, came exceptionally easy for Helen. People were naturally drawn to her.
It wouldn’t be until Helen made her way to Spearfish that she made her biggest splash. Local papers would later mention how she made conquests, and while doing so, became an even bigger figure within local society.
Part of the attraction was her beauty. Young men would fall in love with her pretty face, and superb figure. Before long, Helen would begin receiving marriage proposals. They would be turned down, and she would continue going along her way.
Helen didn’t need to be married. She didn’t need any support. Helen had wealth, and spent it freely. She wore stylish gowns, and loved to entertain friends and guests, doing it both often and extravagantly.
Eventually, Helen would be won over by one suitor. Roscoe Billman would be introduced to Helen through a common friend. Becoming enamored, Roscoe would soon start courting her in earnest. Rushing forward, Helen would once again be proposed to, and this time, she accepted. A wedding day was set.
The wedding would never go through though. Before the two could be married, Helen would meet with an accident. The beautiful young woman would be discovered to be a “very handsome” young man. After the secret was found out, Helen would leave the area.
Helen’s real name would never be known. After the secret was out, “Helen” would not be found, nor did Roscoe hear from him again.
The story would spread quickly across the country. Most seemed impressed or astonished that a young man could so convincingly pass as a gorgeous young woman without raising any suspicion. They would comment about how well disguised he was, both in voice and manner, that if there hadn’t been an accident, the truth most likely never would have come out.
