Connecticut western news., 1884-10-29
FOOLED BYA CIRCUS TRICK
HOW ALL THE COUNTRY WAS TAKEN
 IN AND MADE TO PAY WE'LL.
How n Boy Figured In the Ring ns Ella Zuy- ara and How Well the Secret was Kept for Many Years.

ara and How Well the Secret was Kept
 for Many Years.
 One of the most remarkable characters ever connected with the circus profes- sion, says a veteran of the ring, was the rider who was known at different times by the names of Ella Zoyara and Omar Kingsley. He was born of French par ents in New Orleans, and while a circus managed by s. 0. Stokes and Signor Louis Germani was exhibiting in that city he was apprenticed to the managers by his parents, being then years old. His real surname Signor Germani has forgotten, and no one else in the busi- ness save Stokes knows it, but the Sig nor remembers that his Christian name was Sam, or 'Little Sammie," as every body called him. He was at once taught 10 ride, and showed considerable ability. When he was Il years old Stokes, in view of the boys singular girl-like beau ty, conceived the idea of transforming him as nearly as possible into a female. Accordingly he gave him the name of ! Ella Zoyara and at once had him attired exactly like girl. Every article of his dress, both within and without, was precisely like that of woman, and not only was he dressed in this way in the ring but in private life as well. He never again wore an article of mans apparel till after he WAS 19 years old. Stokes, resolved to make the illusion as com plete as possible, did not even allow any of his company to know that "Ella Zoy- ara" was not genuine girl.
 This secret remained undiscovered for eight years, during which Stokes took him to Europe, where he created i'm mense excitement His beauty at that time was remarkable. He had fault less complexion of the purest brunette type, his face never showing the slightest trace of a beard and his features were perfect and of the most delicate, wo- manly character, as were also his hands and feet. His hair, of raven blackness, hung in lnxuriant masses almost to his waist. 1 was playing at Astley's in London when he made his first appear ance there, and subsequently, I travelled through England for four months in he same company with him, and in all that time I never had the slightest sus- picion that he was not girl. It was probably the most successful deception as regards sex ever practiced. Stokes at that time had in his charge little girl about the same age as the so-called Ella Zoyara, whom she very closely re- sembled. She and Ella" were always dressed magnifcently in a very similar manner, were always together, and you would take them for twins or at least sisters. When this little girl grew to womanhood she became the. wife of Stokes.
 Wherever "Ella Zoyara" appeared he completely enthralled many of the male hearts in the audience. He received letters of the most passionate character and magnificent presents from the nobil- ity and gentry of Europe. Among those who worshiped at the shrine of this temple of supposed female loyeliness was one of the crowned heads of Ger many, who, among other costly things, presented "Ella" with diamond ring, valued at s3,000, about which I have often heard the latter tell this story: He was riding in circus in St. Petersburg and the ring being rather loose upon his finger slipped of one afternoon as he WAS doing his act and flew he knew not where. Almost frantic at the loss of his treasure, he was obliged to finish his act, to dress and to wait until the per formance was over before a thorough search for the jewel could be made, and even then it could not be discovered. He left the building disconsolate, never expecting to see his diamond again. But that night as he WAS flying around the ring upon his horse, he happened tc look down and saw bright glitter il the sawdust at the edge of the ring The minutes seemed like hours till after the audience had dispersed and ther upon going to the spot he found hii ring, which he had at once made smaller and never again permitted tito leave hi finger.
 It was while riding in Germany that, through some untoward circum stance, the fact of his being & man wal discovered, after he had successfully carried on this masquerade for more thar eight years, and as a consequence h' was obliged to make nasty departur' from that country. His entire individu ality seemed to have been changed by the deception, which he had praeticed so long. He had all the whimsicality and caprice of a woman. Stokes usec . to buy him long kid gloves reaching tc the elbow, but if, when he tried on { 2 new pair, he found in them the slightest
 wrinkle, he would tear them off violent ly and throw them away. He had thu temper of a virago. After the discov ? cry of his sex, he rode as a man, unde l the name of Omar Kingsley, and wor' ' male apparel in private life, but h ? never could break himself of the ef feminate manners and habits which h, had acquired during his long masquer , ade. He continued to do sewing ant 3 fancy work in his spare moments, an, when seeking rest and recreation in tn privacy of his home, would attire him self in lady's wrapper. At times h f would again bill himself as Ella zoyar . and ride as a woman, but he never agail 5 attempted to deceive any one save thu l circus-going public. He married Salli' : Stickney, daughter of Sam P. Stickney by whom he had three children, but tn
 union not proving a happy one, the , separated. He afterward married ogaii