Lighter,

Thanks for that! It sounded familiar and as it turns out: The same passage (later) appears in Prentice Mulford's _Life by Land and Sea_ (New York, 1889). Perhaps Mulford was the author of the newspaper article/story.

HOWEVER: In Mulford's book, he has "Miranda Lee"! Sounds like a more plausible name, no? Perhaps it was a typo being corrected.

THE PLOT THICKENS: There is an even earlier reference than the one you posted, to "Miranza Lee." I'll try to post it later, but it seems likely composed by the same author again (even though it is anonymous).

"Miranza Lee" gives more to chew on. The mind goes to "My-ranzo-ray", "ranzo-ree", "marengo", etc.