The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-01-11
WIFE TO HELPLESS HUSBANDS.
She seems to Think is Her Mission
to Wed and Nurse the Dying.

to Wed and Nurse the Dying.
Hagerstown. Ind, dispatch to the St.
Louis Globe-Democrat: Mrs. Izora Pier
son, widow. resident Of this town, de-
parted on the 22d for Rocky Ford, Col,
where she is anxiously awaited by Mr..
S. H. Kingery, to whom she is enga ged
to be married. They have never seen each
other, but have been corresponding for
several weeks and have exchanged pic
lures. MIR. Kingery is said to be 70 years
of age a widower fairly well to do, and
is one of the substantial citizens of his
community. The acquaintance of these
two romantic persons was started by FL
der Studebaker, a minister in the Dun
kard Church, who described the virtues of
the widow to Mr.. Kingery.
As Mrs. Pierson is also member OF the
Dunkard Church, the introduction by the
minister was regarded as satisfactory
proof of each others good character, and
the correspondence which followed grew
very tender When Mr.. Kingery proposed
marriage the very next mail carried the
lady's affirmative reply and the following
incoming mail brought the groom's check
for 800 Ito pay expenses" The arrange
ment was for the bride TO go on to Rocky
Ford and become acquainted with the
groom and also give him an opportunity
to see her.
Mrs. Pierson has been married four
times Her matrimonial experience has
been of a very interesting and even unique
character. Her first marriage was not
out of the ordinary. Her second husband
was a hopeless cripple and horribly de-
| formed. Her devotion and love for this
man was never questioned, and when he
| died she laid him away With every indi-
cation of genuine grief. Her third hus-
| band was 50 years old and almost help
less. He was in the last stages of senile
debility. Nevertheless she apparently
| loved him and nursed and tender.y cared
| for him until his DEATH which occurred
within two years after their marriage.
Her fourth husband was Oscar Pierson,
% years old, of Mount Holly, N. j. He
was heip.essy crippled from birth, and
| was PROSTATE on his bed, from which he
was unable 10 rise. He made lace with his
curved and knotted fingers while lying
| thus in order to sustain himself. This
lace was sold TO a store which employed
peddIers to carry the goods about the
country in packs.
| In one of his packages of lace Pierson
placed a note in which was described his
pitiab,e condition. He implored whoever
| received the note to have compassion on
| his lonely state and assist him to secure
| the services of a physician, and, if posi-
| BILE, better his condition.
| That note through Gods providence, as
she AYERS, fell into the hands of Mrs.
| Izora Roher thrice a widow and past
| graduate in caring for helpless husbands.
| She felt a presentimeut that the note
would lead to their union and. therefore,
| joyfully addressed a response to the APP
| peal of the poor cripple. She shed tears
Of sorrow and pity and eagerly awaited
reply to her letter. 1t came in due course,
and provoked an instant response Let
| ter followed letter in quick succession,
a very storm of loves arrows Within
| few weeks the two were engaged TO be
married Mrs Roher sold some belong
ings to realize money with which to travel.
She decked herself out and went to meet
her prospective husband. She found him
chained to his bed by the disease, but
did not hesitate to marry him.
Again she devoted her days to her hus
band, assiduously cared for him and really
supported him until his death, which fol-
| lowed about two years after their mar
| riage Following that event she again re-
| turned here to her old home.
Mrs. Pierson scouts the idea. that one
| can love but once. She declares that she
| is prepared to bestow upon her prospect
tive husband all of the affection of her
heart as freely as if she had never loved
| before Indeed, she believes that the hui
man heart Is so constituted that the Of
| tener one loves the more ardently is the
heart prepared to love. and it is with
no msgivings that she contemplates her
| new union.
Since her residence here following the
| death of her last husband she has receiv-
ed many proposals of marriage from Grip
pies in many parts Of the country, the
last one to arrive reaching her soon af-
| ter she had accepted the offer of Mr..
Kingery. She kindly but firmly declined
| them all, explaining that she did not be-
| lieve the Lord required her TO make any
| more sacrifices of such a nature.