On September 20, 1958, Izola Ware Curry came to a book signing in Harlem where Dr. Martin Luther King was signing copies of his book Stride Toward Freedom. Curry, who was later judged to be mentally ill, thought that Dr. King and other black leaders were plotting against her, keeping her from getting jobs and forcing her to change her religion. Although armed with a loaded pistol, Mrs. Curry stabbed King with a 7" letter opener. Dr. King was rushed to a local hospital and characteristically said that he felt "no ill will" toward Curry and expressed the hope that she "gets the help that she needs."

Curry was committed to Matteawan Hospital for the Criminally Insane and remained there for many years. After her release, she spent the rest of her life in various nursing homes.

I became aware of her last year while doing research for death pools. The 98-year-old seemed like a good candidate for a solo.

And so she was.

--Deceased Hose