The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-01-02
A KINGS WIDOW.
The Story Of Boston Girl Who Married
King Ferdinand, Of Spain.

Boston Special.
private cable dispatch received here says
that the widow of ex-King Ferdinand is coming
back to Boston, her native city. to live. Ferdi-
nana =: - .ne iasner Of the present King OF
Portugal. He was buried with great pomp last
Tuesday at Lisbon
A special interest attaches to the marriage of
the beautiful and accomplished Bostonian to a
monarch retired from business, who had won
great namo for himself in the history Of the
country, from the position which she thereby at
tanned at its court and in the records of
European sovereignty. Her name appears In
the royal red-book, the famous Almanach de
Gotha and it is an exceptionally romantic expert
ence which brought girl born in Boston and
educated at it's public schools into the select and
fastidious circles of an ancient court.
The record Of the career of the ex-King Ferdi-
nand of Portugal in the Almanach de Gotha for
1885 closes with the statement that he was mar
of Edla, nee Henser. A quarter of a century
or more ago there lived in Boston Adolph Hens
Ter, q musician, who had also practiced his pro-
fession in Springfield. He had a daughter, a
brilliant brunette, whose charming manners and
melodious voice attracted the attention of per-
prominent in the highest circles of taste and
culture at the Hub The girl had been educated
at the public schools, and had profted by the ia
cilties which her home afforded for her musical
development.
Among those who were interested in the
young and promising singer were the late
Thomas G. Appleton, Henry w. Longfelow and
DR.. George Derby. They were influential in
having her brought out in concerts and in social
entertainments After singing with success in
this country she went to Europe to complete her
professional education, where she attracted the
admiration of Ferdinand Of Portugal, who was
widely known for his artistic tastes and accom-
plishments. and who had acquired high repu-
tatioh by the wisdom with which he had admin
istered the affairs of Portugal during the minor
ity of his son, Pedro V. Ferdinand not only
allowed the Portuguese to govern themselves
through their constitutional representatives but
he inspired his son with an earnest attachment
to free institutions, and the latter's brief reign
of six years was signalzed by devotion to the
higher interests of the people, for whom he may
truly be said to have sacrificed his life, as he fell
q victim to the yellow fever while exposing him
self to save others.
Miss Elise Hensler had received f1attering at
tentions from society leaders in Europe during
her musical career her stately figure, her
oueeniy besryiGGg added to the attractions OF her
fne voice. Ferdinand Wis only little beyond
fifty years of age when he met ID LISBON tne
Boston young lady whom he prevailed upon %
abandon her career as prima donna Tor the
position of his WIFE, It was an honor such as
might we'll have led her to forego the prospects
of the highest success of an art in which success
is proverbially uncertain and heeting. The
family connections, the personal position OF her
sutton, were more exalted than those of the
titled worthless who had before and since brought
brides from America to England. He was also
allied to the leading royal houses of Europe.
He was by birth prince of the House OF SAKE
Coburg, a cousin of the late Prince Al
bert. consort of Queen Victoria, and one
af hrnth danphtnr
Louis Philippe His son, Dom Luis King OF
Portugal, is married to the Princess Pie.
daughter of the late King Victor Emmanuel, of
Italy, sister to the present King and to the late
King of Spain, Amadeus l. His title is King
Ferdinand Auguste Francois Antoine, King of
Portugal, Duke Of Saxony, feld-marshal gen
eral, etc.
Born Oct 90, 1916, Ferdinand was sixty nine
years Of age when he died, and fifty three at the
time of his marriage to Miss Hensler, who be-
came Countess of Edla before being elevated to
her high position as his wife His first wife,
Maria II, Da Gloria. Queen Of Portugal, died in
1853, and it was after sixteen years Of widow
hood that he took his blooming Boston bride.
The palace occupied by the late King and his
Boston wife in Lisbon is called the Necessidades,
and the wits of the court in allusion to his fond
ness for costly objects Of art styled it the Palace
of the Presiocidades. At this palace the still
beautiful Bostonian has been visited by her
nieces, the daughters of DR.. and Mrs. Slade, of
Chestnut Hill, a suburb of Boston, and she has
taken lively interest in the prosperity of her
native city. She sympathized with the kindly
feelings which her husband entertained for
Americans, and officers of our navy and other
citizens who visited Portugal were always sure
of kindly welcome from the happy pair.
Besides the paatial style which the eY-King
Ferdinand kept up in the Portuguese capital.
they had charming retreat, fifteen
miles away. to which they retired in the heat of
summer. This is at Cntra, that lovely
spot which has been so wildly pictured by By
ron in "Childe Harold" King Ferdinand had
an especial claim to tho regard Of Americans
from the powerful support which he gave to the
Union cause during the war of the Rebellion.
Now that Ferdidand's palace is shrouded in
mourning by the death of her beloved husband,
his wifes thoughts turn with keener interest
to the home Of her childhood, which she has
mover ceased to love.
Changes have occurred since she left Boston,
which will awaken sad memories. The deaths
of her early friends and admirers, like Thomas
G. Appleton, the poet Longfellow and DR..
George Derby, have made gaps not easily filed
in her old time social circle here, but with the
society OF o beloved sister and her family, the
widow Of benefcent King will find much to
enjoy in the city which, moro than any other in
the country, retains the affections Of persons
born and brought up amid its liberalizing infu-
ence. Her royal husband left her about 81, 000,
600.
More About the Kings Widow.
Boston Special.
The Boston Herald prints q letter from
friend of Miss Hensler. making some corrections
IN the story about har arri ace tn Eer5inapd of