The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-01-14
MARRIED FIVE TIMES.
Former Whatcom Woman De-
serts Her C0l0red Husband.
VAS c. ?. kEEsLsNo MuROERED9

sssry % 1ysasrfsss Death u vsr.sr
Whaseen Cssnsy CsRnissisnss
He Married. m Advsasarsss.
ws,atcom. Jan. 1s.-specfaL-The re-
cent marriage In Albany. ~. T.. OF the
former wffe OF the hate G. r. Keesling.
well-Hrsown here and ~ one time chair
man Of the whntcom county board OF
commissioners, brings out story that
marks the woman - an adventures
and suggests the probable murder OF
Keesltng IN the insane asylum at Stedl-
accom- about five years ago. The mar
rsage OF Mrs Kees1nz 10 her mulasto
coachman and The manner In welsch
the latter was afterward driven away
and threatened with death and iEnprason.
nsent liz known here, bat Il Will be news
60 many TO learn the woman has now
I'm Albany, ~. T. she g aboux IS years
old. wf1sie her new husband II many
years her Junior. and. II Is said. was
induced TO maxry her for her money.
The story of the wosnan's twelve years
residence in this city. IL all the rtirnors
can be given any degree OF credenee,
Is revolving because OF her heartless-
ness and utter disregard for tire ordin-
airy principles common to human be-
lngs. The death of K<essing Is still re-
uSembered AZ an event shrouded In mys-
terry, and the subsequent actions of his
wife and the stories tod about her
later csorsd husband have convinced
many that KcesGing's death was not due
10 natural causes. He LEFT much prop
erty. and. when Mrs. Keesling went
EsaSS with her coiored coanhsnan, who
afterwari became her husband. she
carried with her about $4,000. She has
still many property interests here from
the Keeslsng estate. concerning which
she recently wrote to her agents In this
city.
Her Arrival In whatcom.
Seventeen years ago the woman came
mechanic named Hunt She was then
about IS years Old and was said to have
been married once befoye. She was a
slight woman. though strong and sin
envy. and her stern face gave evidence
Of ili-Sesnper and a strongly yindictive
nature. Her husband was very jealous.
and not without cause, IL is said, for
she was fond OF male acquaintance.
She came TO whascom from San Fran
cisco ard her husband declared the re-
moyal was made on account of her love
for nasc comE1any and because his
boss" exerted too great an influence
over her affections for her good.
Shortly after Hunts arrival here he
took up a ranch on the Nooasack, at
the foot OF Sunas mountain, and c. y.
keesling gave him permission TO live
In house which he owned near the
mountain Hunt went to the ranch and
has lived there ever since. being still
a resident OF this county. but Mrs.
Hunt remained with him but two years
She Deserts Husband No. =.
After the Hunts had lived on the
ranch about a year Keesiing became a
frequent visitor and soon fell a victim
to the wonlan's wfses. He was a widow
er. his wife having died in Indiana
years before. leaving one son who still
reshies In his native state and Is en-
gagged IN the practice OF law. One day
kecsling went TO the ranch and, ac-
coinranied by Hunt. proceeded through
the timber TO locate a route for a new
trail - town. the old one being too
long. When Hunt returned home alone
he found the place deserted. his wife
having gathered up her personal effects
and flown. He was grief-stricken and
went 10 San Francisco in search OF her,
but batter returned and became resigned
10 his fate.
Meanwh.le Keesling had taken care
Of the iashing runaway. having secured
a place for her In the home of an old
friend. where she adopted mans attire
as security from her pursuing husbands
eyes. In a few months. after Hunt had
become accustomed to leading a lonely
hfe. she made her presence known by
fling suit for divorce and w. II. Tos,ts
the plone~ merchant who was then A
deputy sheriff. served the paters on
the husband. Hunt was wild with in
dsgnasion. but declared ne was well rid
or the wcwYran and sent word that she
cnuii secure the decree hy defiant,
Later the divorce was granted at La
Conner, which was then the county ses4
OF the district covering both Skagst and
Wfatessna counties. and the same aav
Mrs. Hunt became Mrs. keesisng.
With kees,sss a. a Ha.saad.
After an uneventful married pre Of
few years, during witch sine Kees1nr
made money ana became prominent In
county affairs. MTs. Keeslng a.fan,sst
two cslgldesn ~ issigrat parents she
having none ~ her own. But this ala
not bring happiness TO the coIsi,e and
they Esd a quarcelsoSne existence. He
WAS than about GO years OIL ard was
chairman Of thr~toarsi OF County c,,vn.
rYsssfoners. tire position hr S>cf.fa,ei n.
the time 81 his death. She was Atrial
he would drip or without ,eavi,xr a
Will ard desired HIM "a make one
wissch h. ,'si. leaving half the pvopertv
In her ard The ether half ~ the aaarsfs>i
chtldFNssh This did not satisfy her and
ha made another will leaving all sh,.
property 20 her. ard isse~, ,.pzsl hts
wsfe's continued sssctfa ton. he decided
her the entire property.
she Gets Rid az ke~sling.
During all Of this tire Kesssssng was
IN daily attendance Sa his duties as
chairman - sse board Of COMM s,ssyr,-
RS and asgseaTed as straax and srsfva
rs ever, ssst suddenly he was saken
sick ansS, u the saforsi crneA,Yaa's
woFd ct0 b. se~aSsssiy s>nssas s5ess his
Illness wtS due IN rssasaa atfs,,srssss exsN,
To-