The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1884-05-15
An Atlanta Sensation.

ATLANTA, May 5.-Some time ago the
Consultation contained the full account
of the difficulties growing out of the
marriage of Thomas S. King, who is
mail agent of the Government upon one
of the rail routes from this city. 1t was
related how Mr. King had married a lady
whom he supposed and who believed
herself to be a widow. She had been
married prior to the war, in 1860, at
Montgomery, Ala, and her husband was
soldier who was reported to have fallen
in battle. 1t was generally understood
that he was dead and the lady mourned
him as one of the fallen heroes of the
'lost cause" After some years, when
peace had again smiled upon the coun.
try, 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 capa.
city as route agent, is we'll known as
faithful and deserving officer, while
Mrs. King is esteemed and honored by
all who know her as 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 untime.
ly misfortunes of war. One may imagine
Their as.onishment and horror therefore,
when abol: 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 Connecticut.
It appeared that he had not been killed
as reported, but by capture or desertion
had escaped death and was, as he is to.
day, we'll and active. The facts were in
dustriously unearthed, and it became
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 legiti-
mate course open to him. He promptly
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. Through Colonel
Marshall J. Clarke he filed a bill upon
the equity side of the Superior Court of
this County, asking that the marriage
be set aside and annulled. The case was
heard yesterday before Judge Hammond.
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. In the meantime Colonel Clarke
has filed bill, on behalf of Mrs. King,
under her former 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 expected that any defense will be
made and that the divorce will be COM
plete at the fall term of the court.
When obtained it is understood the cere-
mony will be reperformed 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 sentiment
of love and appreciation, and they are
wished by all who know them the happy
renewal and long continuance of their
sudden and sadly interrupted felicity.