The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1880-03-19

their meals at the family table. Their pres
ence was felt necessary in those perilous
times on account of danger from the Indians
who We're constantly committing depTeda-
tions in the neighbOrhood On Mrs. Rob
ards arrival her condition, of course, became
known to them both. Overton had already
been aware of it, and both deeply sympa-
thized with her. Jackson who was chivalrous
in his department towards women, paid her
the most polite attentions. When reunited
with her husband he congratulated her upon
the prospect OF restored domestic happiness
and without dreaming of disturbing it, con-
tinued as polite in his duty to her as before.
This excited again, the jealousy Of her un-
principled husband, and all the former bit
terneSs between them was revived. Jack
son heard Of it, sought an interview with
RObardS and eXpostuated with him upon
his conduct. An angry alteration ensued,
which ended by jackson threatening to cut
Robards's ears of should he ever mention
his name in any disreputable connection with
that OF his wife, and he sought quarters else
where. After this the parties lived very
wretchedly together for several months and
until Mrs. Robards was informed Of the set
tlement her husband had made with Short
from the former, as already related, in COM
pensation for his (supposed) damaged hon
OF. At this her indignation knew no bounds
and she at once resolved to separate from
him absolutely and forever. This resolution
was duly made known to him. and he re-
turned to Kentucky. He applied to the Leg
islature Of Virginia (of which Kentucky was
then part) for divorce on the ground of
abandonment, the authority for granting di-
yorces then residing in the Legislature.
This application was not resisted, and the
report reached Tennessee and was universally
credited that a divorce had been granted.
The Donelson family and friends certainly
fully believed It.
In the spring of 1871 Mrs. Robards, in
company with some friends, visited Natchez,
descending the river on a fiat boat. jackson
was of the party. 1t was either during his
absence or Immediately upon his return to
Nashville that he heard of the divorce He
decided to marry Mrs RUbarGs if she would
have him, consulting with her family in ad-
vance and obtaining her consent and ap-
pToval. With this purpose he again visited
Natchez. His suit was at first declined, and
/ it trequred three months assiduous courtship
before Jackson could obtain the fair lady's
consent to their union.
After living together N the marriage rela-
tion most happily for a couple of years,
Jackson industriousy practicing his profes-
sion and rising rapidly in distinction, was
surprised to learn that no divorce had been
granted by the Legislature of Virginia, but
only an act passed empowering the Court Of
Mercer county, KY, where Robards lived,
to impanel jury to try the case and grant
the petition upon legal proof. This Robards
had delayed doing until after Jackson's in
termarriage with his wife and when he him
/ self had formed a marital engagement which
he desired to cOnsummate. So he brought
/ suit, as authorized, in the Mercer Court on
/ the ground of Mrs. Robards living with one
Andrew Jackson, and on that ground ob-
/ tanned it,
! In the winter of 1894 MI jackson was
/ again married to Mrs. Jackson. Mrs. Hays
and a Miss Boyd and some others Of the
family were present.
/ The General was devOtedly attached to his
wife. l find frequent allusion to her in his
/ correspondence, always evincing anxiety for
her health, comfort and happiness. The
most stately, the most courtly of gentlemen,
accustomed for many years to the best sOci-
ETY., and polished in his manners to a degree
which attracted the attention OF thorough
bred people from abroad; his little homespun
wife managing her household affairs, her
kitchen, her dairy, her slaves familiar with
and kind to the highest and lowest, the most
hospitable of women, even rendering her
pipe to a guest as Il token of her hospitality;
rude, unpolished and unlettered, but faith
FL l. II,
est OF human creatures.
Il knew Mrs. jackson we'll" once re
marked General William O. Butler ''and She
was one of the best of women. Certainly a
kinder-hearted soul never lived. 1t was in
teresting to observe the General when she
was in his company. His eyes were con-
stantly upon her, and he seemed to anticipate
. her every wish. "
Mrs. jackson died very suddenly of heart
disease shortly after the Generals election
to the Presidency. This ailment had been
aggravated by the cruel aspersions of her
character in the newspapers and the flaming
indignation of the General in consequence,
chatting for, but denied as he was the Oppor-
tunity of avenging her. She was frequently
/ seen weeping on this account. She had
never desired the Generals candidacy.-
/ When informed of his election she simply re-
marked ''Weu, for Mr Jackson's sake /
am glad of it, but for myself 1 am not"
Her death occurred in December, 1928.
She was attending her domestic duties as
usual, apparently in tolerabIe health, when
she suddenly uttered loud shriek placed
her hand upon her bosom and sunk fainting
and struggling for breath into chair. The
/ General, who was in an adjoining field, was
summoned and servants were despatched for
medical assistance He had long appre-
hendeG such an attack and was greatly agi-
( tated. Until her death, four days after
wards, he was constantly at her bedside. On
the evening OF the second day of her illness
she appeared to he better, and insisted that
( the General should lie down, but he refused.
/ Two more days of suffering and anxiety sue
! ceeded he remaining with her still, her
watchful and agonized attendant. \ further
change for the better and her tender protes-
/ tations that he should take little rest at
( length induced him to retire to an adjoining
room He had only partially disrobed when
he heard her utter long, inarticulate cry
and Immediately rushed to her. She was
dead He could not believe it. He ordered
! the DOCTOR who had constantly remained
with her, to bleed her, but it was useless.
/ When all signs of returning life were lost
I and preparations were making for her burial
/ he requested in a choking voice that four
blankets should be spread upon the table
upon which she was to be la.i out. If she