Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-05-05
MARRIED BY MISTAKE.
The Matrimonial Moose Slipped to Await
Proceedings for Divorce.

Some time ago the full account of the
difficulties growing out OF the marriage
of Thomas 5. King, who is a mail agent
of the government upon one of the rail
routes from this city, was published. 1t
was related how Mr.. King had married a
lady whom he supposed and who believed
herself to be a widow. She had been mar
ried prior to the war, in 1860, at Mont
gomery, Ala, and her husband was a SOL
dier who was reported to have fallen in
battle. 1t was generally understood that
he was dead, and the lady mOuTned him as
one of the fallen heroes of the E'lost
cause" After some years, when peace
had again smiled upon the country, she
re-entered social circles, and was wooed
and won by Mr.. King. They have lived
happily and lovingly together for eighteen
years and together raised three bright and
promising children, now aged seventeen,
fifteen and thirteen years, respectively.
Mr. King, in his capacity as route agent,
is well known as faithful and deserving
officer, while Mrs. King is esteemed and
honOred by all who know her as a noble
and amiable lady. During all the years
of their welded life they have thought
only of the former husband as one long
since returned to mother earth by the I'M
timely misfortunes of war. One may i'm
agine their astonishment and horror,
therefore, when, about a year ago, they
were put in possession of the fact that
the first husband was alive, and even then
residing in city in the State of COnnec-
ticut. 1t appeared that he had not been
killed as reported, but, by capture or de-
sertion, had escaped death, and was, as
he is to-day, well and active. The facts
were industriously unearthed, and it be-
came painfully true that Mr.. and Mrs.
King were not lawfully man and wife and
that their children were thus involved by
the peculiar circumstances of the case.
Mr.. King saw but one honorable and le-
Ultimate course open to him. He prompt
ly pursued it and separated from Mrs.
KING, pending the necessary proceeding
under the law to correct the mistake of the
marriage and to establish the lawful status
of his children.
THE MARRIAGE ANNULLED.
Through Col. Marshall j. Clarke he filed
a bill upon the equity side of the Superior
Court of this county, asking that the mar
riage be set aside and annulled. The case
was heard yesterday before Judge Ham,
mOnd. Mrs. King appeared by her answer
to the bill admitting the facts set out in
the bill. No further evidence was taken
in the case and Judge Hammond granted
the decree declaring the marriage an
nulled.
THE FURTHER PROCEEDINGS.
In the meantime Col. Clarke has filed a
bill on behalf of Mrs. King, under her for
mer name, against the first husband,
praying that total divorce may be
granted to her upon the ground of willful
and continued desertiOn. 1t is not ex-
pected that any defense Will be made and
that the divorce viii be complete at the
fall term of the court. When obtained it
is understood the ceremony will be re-
performed between Mr.. King and the
lady, and the status of the children be
fully and legally perfected as though the
first marriage had been legal and of full
force. Between Mr.. King and the lady
exists the deepest sentiments of love and
appreciation, and they are wished by all
who know them the happy renewal and
long continuance of their suddenly and
| sadly interrupted felicity.