Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1880-12-02
Houston's Exile.

The singular conduct of Gen,
Sam. Houston in leaving Tennessee
while Governor, and the next day
after his marriage toa highly ac-
conplishcd and beautiful young
lady has always been mystery.
AZ the true explanation has since
his death been made known bv his
widow to those specially entrusted
with the preparation of his me
noirs, the publication of which ie
perhaps now Indefinitely postponed,
justice to truth and to HouSton's
memory as model of true loyalty
seems to demand the following
statements of the proofs of tina,
loyalty:
Dorm in Virginia in 1893, left an
orphan in boyhood, Sam Houston
went with his mother to Tennessee
where lie supported her by his
own industry. thus early learning
family loyalty. In 1918, at the
age OF twenty. he enlisted under
General Jackson in the Creek war,
and for his repeated deeds of gal
lantry he 40 gained the esteem of
jackson that he urged him to re-
main permanent in the army.
3rsigning, however, and studyin &
law i'll Nashville, he rose from Of
flee to office, and in 1928, at the
age Of thirty he was elected to
congress, and then again in 1927
wxS elected governor OF Tennessee
Up to this time Houston was un-
married. Universally admired,
and urged 10y his associates to fern
an alliance which seemed ess initial
to his station, a Young lady of beau
~ and accomplishments was COM
mended to him by family influence.
His proposal of marriage was ac
cepted, aud late in 1928 the mar
riagc ceremony was performed with
unusual poinp. The next dav re-
signed his office, crossed the
Mississippi into Arkansas, and De
celnber Ii, 1928. wrote from the
agency Of his cid Cherokee ac-
uuaintanccs the letter to President
jackson which called forth his let
ter of January |. 1929. Nn,ne of
Houston's companions knew till his
death the cause of his new coarse,
which his best friends, Ike Jack
son, regarded as partial insanity :;
no one but his widow c"ull reveal
il, and she only through a sense OF
con jugal and Christian duty. That
was the highest test of loyalty OF
which any man co.ld be capable.
On the eve of marriage, Cover
nor Houston observed a tremor in
the voice and in the hand of his
bride, when the vow OF undivided
attachment was pronounced, which
convinced him some secret had not
been revealed to him. Before re-
tir,ng he frankly told her of hi
suspicion, asked frank confession,
and pledged her that it should not
work her injury. His frankness
and tirmness led to the confession
that her affections had been given
and pledged TO another before their
meeting, and that filial duty had
prompted her acceptance Of his
proffer. III uston retired to- hiE
own cot, next day resigned his po,
siuon, allowed the entire fault &c
appear his, permitted and encnur
aged her application tor a divorce
on the plea OF desertion, and hi,
bride was married to the man OF
| her former affection. Many irreg,
ularitics rmlnor, of course, charged
on the man who had really sacri
feel everything to save one wh'
had erred only ia improper duty
But no charge of domestic intidel'
ity could he true in nan who de
uied it to the estimable lady VIII,
afterwards became his wife,