Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1879-05-21
DEATH OF onAR KINGSLEY.

DEATH OF OMAR KINGSLEY.
AL e~irousgoing people in this section
we'll remember the great equestrian and
horse trainer. Omar Kingsley, also
ELLA Zoyara." the female character he
% successfully assumed and carried out
for years. and in which he was the most
famous and interesting. Tho daring
and beautiful equestrisnne Zsyara hada
worldwide reputation. having appeared
under this title in almost every country
on the face Of the globe. Very few who
witnessed the graceful. dashing equss-
trian isats Of the Observation-Disclosures
Zoyara, dreamed that tho performer was
not Q woman. News is now received OF
the death Of Kingsley, which took place
on the Sd Of April last at Bombay.
from smallpox. thus bringing to a close
q decidedly eventful and remarkable
career. The following is extracted from
the San Francisco Chronicle:
Kingsley was born in st. Louis. where
his mother and sister still reside, about
1870. At the early ago Of six. q travelling
circus fred his fancy for sawdust and
~spsngles and he soon ran away from the
parental roof. He apprenticed himself to
Spence Stokes, o well-known circus pro-
prietor Of Philadelphia. Stokes trained
him 70 do an equestrian act. and no soon
appeared under the name Of Ella Zoyara.
His beautiful boyish face, . profusion Of
rich black curly hair and his slender form
assisted the ~impersonation. Ho was ad-
yertissd and rode under this name for sew
eral years. attracting no particular atten-
ton, bat keeping the secret Of his sex care
fully concealed. He accompanied spence
10 Europe, where be rode as q female in all
the principal cities. In Moscow . Russian
Count 10 said to have fallen madly in love
with him, and offered Stokes . large sum
for an introduction TO the fair Zoyara. IL
WA In the srnnyc cline Of Italy, however.
that the greatest conquest took place. Vic
tor Emmanuel saw him ut the circus and
Afterwards sent for him. He attended,
though accompanied by his woman ser
want, without whom he rarely appeared in
public. Emmanuel frequently attended
the performance, and Zoyara called upon
him. The King OF Italy presented him
with Q magnificent black stallion, OF which
Stokes Immediately took possession and
Afterwards sold, when in financial Diff
culties In Madrid.
When Zoyara returned to New York he
was advertised A. the greatest female rider
that Europe had ever seen, and crowds
were nightly attracted by his perform.
apces. He rode Q graceful act, was moro
daring and brilliant than any equestrienno
that had or has appeared before an Amer
lean audience. while long experience en-
abled him 10 impersonate female character
in 4 manner that almost defied detection.
His sex was Q secret to many employed in
the Same establishment. lie performed
for one or two seasons in tho eastern coun-
try, everywhere meeting with success. let
tara, and would.bs lovers and husbands.
During this time he was married to Sallie
Stickney. an equestrienne. daughter OF
Robert Stickney Of Cincinnati. In 1868
he came 10 California and made his debut
In this city In connection with John Will
sons circus. He travelled two seasons
upon the Pacific slope. appearing as q
IUmAl0 IlutLs nuu G8lINluk out ~ uCNgD-
ton In Q perfect manner. There are many
men who still remember the beautiful
Zoysra and her graceful performances in
the ring. In 1865 no sailed for Australia,
where he created at one timo q great SEN
sation. He had always appeared in female
attire, on steamers, on the streets, in
hotels, and In the circus, so that the sur
prise Of those who saw him come from tho
canvas one day just after . performance,
In male attire. and swearing like . gulf
pirate, was very great. Trouble with cir
Gus companions led to tho episode. In
1867 he travelled with the same company
through India, the Straits settlements,
China, Japan aud the Philippine Islands.
At Manila . Spanish officer fell in love
with Zoyara and sought m introduction.
but WAS refused. Some Of his fellow
officers limited that the fair rider was not .
female. and he wagered that he was. A
party Of them went to the dressing-room.
seized the subject Of dispute as he came
from the ring aud were about TO strip the
clothing from him when John Wilson
rushed forward and knocked both Of them
down. A tumult ensued which ended In
Wilson aud Zoyara being placed in Jail,
where the sex OF the latter was made
known. They remained in durance for
some time. and were finally sent out Of
the country. Wilson returned to this city
In 1867. Zoyara coming with him. He per-
formed throughout the United States,
Mexico and the Canadas for several sea-
sons, still under the name Of Ella Zoyara.
When he became one Of the proprietors OF
Wilson's circus he made his first appear
ance - . male rider in this city. After
this he rarely appeared as q female rider,
doing 90 principally on the occasion Of
benefits. when the announcement that he
would appear a. Zoyara was sure to crowd
the house. He left this city with Wilson's
circus for Australia in 1875. and having
appeared In the principal cities there,
sailed from Melbourne TO India in 1877,
where he appeared up to the time Of his
illness and death at Bombay. which took
plsoa ON tina al of April last. of small-pox.