The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1879-06-12
LNaToN, OHIO. THURsDY, JUNE 12, 1870
leila {" ZOYARA."

"ELLA zOYARA."
The Remarkable Career OF Omar
| Kingsley. the Female lmpersOnat0I
| His COnquests.
The death of Omar Kingsley closes the
career of one who gained widespread
reputation as Ella Zoyara. For years he
appeared as an equestrienne under this
title in almost every country on the globe
and few of those who have witnessed
the graceful performance of the beautiful
Zoyara dreamed that the performer was a
man. Letters and lovers were abundant,
and among the latter figured no less per.
sonage than Victor Emanuel, of Italy,
who fell in love with the dashing young
rider. Soldiers and civilians figured also
on the list of Zoyara's lovers, and a dis.
putc about her among the former finally
caused her or him TO be placed in durance
vile at Mania.
Kingsley was born in st. Louis, where
his mother and sister still resides, about
1910. At the early age of six, travelling
circus fired his fancy tor sawdust' and
spangles. and he soon ran away from the
parental roof. He apprenticed himself to
Spence Stokes, well-known circus pro-
prietor of Philadelphia. Stokes trained
him to do an equestrian act, and he soon
appeared under the name of Ella Zoyara.
His beautiful boyish face, profession of
rich, black curly hair, and slender form,
assisted the impersonation. He was advcr-
tiscd and rode under this name for several
years, attracting no particular attention,
but keeping the secret of his sex
carefully concealed. lie accompanied
Spence TO Europe, where he rode as
a female in all the principal cities In
Moscow a Russian count is said To have
fallen madly in love with him, and Offered
Stokes a large sum for IN introduction to
the fair Zoyarsi. 1t was in the sunny CLINE
of Italy, however, that the greatest con.
quest took place - -.
Victor Emmanuel saw him at the circus
and afterward sent for him. He attended,
though accompanied by his woman SER
want, without whom he rarely appeared in
public. Victor Emmanuel frequently at
tended the performance, and Zoyara called
upon him.. The king of Italy presented
him with magnificent black stallion, of
which Stokes Immediately took possession
and afierward sold when in Madrid.
When Zoyara returned to New York he
was ADVERTISED as the greatest female rider
that Europe had ever seen, and crowds
went nightly attracted by his perform
ances. He rode graceful lact, was more
daring and brilliant than any equestIienne
that has or had appeared before an Ameri-
can audience, while long experience en-
abled him 10 impersonate a female char
acter in a manner that almost defied de-
lection. His sex was a secret even to
many OF those employed in the same es-
Establishment. He performed for one or
two seasons in the eastern country, every
where meeting with success, letters and
Would be lovers and husbands. During
this time he was married to Sallie Stick
ney, an equestrienne, daughter of Robert
Stickney, of Cincinnati. In 1853 he came
n California and made his debut in
this city in connection with John Wilson's
circus. He travelled two seasons upon the
Pacific slope, appearing as female rider,
and carrying out the deception in a perfect
manner. There are many men who still
remember the beautiful Zoyara and her
graceful performance in the ring. He had
always appeared in female attire on steam
ers, on the streets, in hotels and in the cir
Gus so that the surprise of those who saw
him come from the canvass one day, just
after n performance, in male attire,
and swearing like gulf pirate, was
very great. Trouble with circus COM
panions led to this episode. In 1867
through India, the Straits settlements,
China, Japan and the Philippine islands
At Manila u Spanish officer fell in love
with Zoyara and sought an introduction,
but was refused Some of his fellow
officers hinted that the fair rider was not
female, and, he wagered that she was. A
party of them went to the dressing room,
seized the subject of dispute as lie came
from the ring, and were about to strip the
clothing from him. when John Wilson
rushed forward and knockd both OF them
down. A tumult ensued, which re-
suited in Wilson Zoyara being placed
i in iail where the sex of the latter WAS