The Topeka state journal., 1903-06-30
FIFTH TIME WIDOW.
Remarkable Woman Who Has Com,
forted Five Helpless Men.


Hagerstown, Ind, June 30-NIrs. Izora
Kingery, of Rocky Ford, Col, now visit
ing friends here, has received informa-
tlon from there that her husband Jas
kingery, aged 70 years, was struck by
lightning and instantly killed. This
leaves Mrs. Kingery a widow for the
fifth time A peculiar fact in relation
to Mrs. kingery's marital experiences is
that all of her husbands We're hopelessly
crippled.
Mrs. Kingery's maiden name was
lzora Smith, and she lived near Hagers-
town. She was Of a romantic disposi-
ton, and when she announced that she
was engaged to marry Abram Houser,
well known citizen of HagerstoWn,
hopelessly crippled, her friends could
hardly be made TO believe it. Neverthe-
less, she married Mr.. Houser and took
excellent care of him until he died five
years later.
Her second venture was. if anything,
more remarkable than the first Mr.. J.
ROher, an aged man. proposed and was
promptly accepted He was almost help
less, but she proved a devoted wife to
him and cheered his journey to the
tomb. After waiting a suitable time the
widow ccer ted Mr. Hines. with
whom Sc lived peaceably and happily
until his Oemise a year later.
Her fOuroh husband was Oscar Pier
son, of New Jersey. MI Pierson was
bedridden, so crippled in his legs and
DdGk lQdt Et C0ui0 not rise from MS
bed. He learned needleWOIk. and made
living by selling the products of his
skill. His sad fate caused him to des-
pair, and he indited the story of his life
and rolled the paper in bit of fancy
work and sent it out in the world upon
its mission. That piece of fancy work
was carried to Indiana and right into
the hands of the very person Who, of ali
others would likely be ready to sacri-
fee herself to relieve the poor sufferer.
and found the bit of paper in the lining.
When she read the story she did not
hesitate. but Immediately wrote Mr.
Oscar Pierson a long effusiOn which
breathed her interest and sympathy.
The reply was prompt and all that
could be desired.
Mrs. Roher decked herself out in fine
array and visited the unfortunate man.
Arriving at his home she found him,
indeed. bedridden and almost helpless
His spirit and helplessness appealed
strongly to this woman of quick sym
pathy and when he asked her to marry
him the ceremony quickly followed n
all things she was q dutlful wife 70 hlin,
and when death claimed him within
few months she put on widows s weeds
and sincerely n1Ourned.
But the habiliments of moRning were
little suited to this remarkable woman,
who felt that life was to be used rather
than merely endured. and for the fifth
a man whose career on earth vas neer-
~ finished. James kingery of Rocky
Ford, Col attracted by the fame of her
willing ministrations as a wife to help
less husbands, proposed by letter and
was promptly accepted in the same
manner Mrs. PiersOn Travelled alone to
Rocky Ford and married him. Their
married life was pleasant for two years.
and it seemed that at last 1zora had
encountered her true destiny a few
weeks ago she left to revisit her old
home in Indiana. She left her aged hus-
band in good health and received let
ters from him regularly One day
telegram was handed to her. in which
it was announced that Mr.. Kingery had
been killed. With overpowering sorrow
Mrs Kingery received the sad intelh-
gence It was the fufllment of be-
lief. or impression that had possessed
her that this husbend would be removed
by such a cause.
The fatalistfe influence still possesses
her. She will follow where it leads her
Should she be called upon to assume
the care of a sixth husband whose in
firmities remove him from the all but
universal sympathy of the world she
would not hesitate, it is believed, but
would take up the burden and discharge
her duty heroically and uncomplaining-
lv in the full belief that such was her
destined end.