San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1885-10-29
NO. 46.
Gen. Sam. Hou,ton's First Marriage.

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speedy separation from his wife, al
though the main facts are now con.
ceded, as set forth in his life by DR..
Crane, on the authority Of his second
wife, 10 whom no stated the facts,
continues 10 be discussed as TO the
minor details. A recent story has IL
that his difference with his first wife
first became apparent as follows:
Houston was proud Of his Highland
Scotch descent and soon after his
marriage appeared before his bride
in the costume Of the clans to which
he claimed to be allied, thinking she
would share in the interet he felt in
the subject, Instead, as the story
goes, she numerically rdiculed his
appearance, and from the conversation
which followed, he then learned that
her heart had not been bestowed
with her hand, and at once released
her from her marital obligations. We
append some further versions Of this
remarkable episode.
Senator Sam Houston, the Presi-
dent Of the Republic Of Texas, was
the youngest man who ever governed
the State Of Tennessee, when he fell
in love with pretty girl at the State
capital. He was Governor Of the
State, good looking and splendid
catch. After his marriage, he found
his wife loved another, and that she
had been forced by her parents to
marry him. He left the Governors
chair, and, telling his wife to get
divorce on the ground of desertion,
went to the frontier and joined a tribe
of Cherokee Indians. Here he mar
ried q squaw in Indian fashion, and
soon became chief. He was drink
ing hard and going to the dogs, when
one day he was told of the trouble IN
Texas. He Strengthened himself up
and was q man again, and went forth
to his brave and distinguished career
in Texas. His wife, I am told, got
her divorce, but whether she married
her lover I know not.-Cor. N. Y.
Maitland Express.
An old lady, now a resident Of this
county, Mrs. Polly Louderdale, a
niece of Gen. Winchester, of Revolu-
tionary fame, was acquainted with
General Houston, and an intimate ac-
quaintance of Miss Allen, of Sumner
county, Tenn, Houston's first wife.
Miss Allen was of wealthy family,
herself proud, naughty and ambitious
in her girlhood days, but withal q lady
of rare culture, refinement and deli
cacy of feeling. Houston was al-
most the opposite in personal charac-
teristics-of powerful build, in mind
and body, rough, rugged, uncouth,
uncultured and unrefned. 1t was
utterly impossible for two such op-
posite temperaments to live happily
together. Houston was bachelor,
had just been elected Governor of
Tennessee believing that his rough,
noble nature would be improved by
the companionship Of good and pure
woman, his friends over-persuaded
him into marriage, and Miss Aliens
friends appealed to the ambitious
part Of her nature, and against her
affection she accepted the offer and
hand of the young Governor. Itwas
understood at the time by her asso-
ciates and the circle of her acquain-
tances that young Mr.. VIM. Terry,
q merchant Of Gallatin, Tenn, pos
sessed her real love, and rumor was
current of their actual engagement;
but, as to the real facts, the world
never knew. Both the contracting
parties being highly honored and con-
mutual confessions reveal
sd the truth as to the causes that in.
iuced the marriage, and speedy sep
sration ensued. Miss Allen never
the Mr.. Terry, the gentle
man she was credited with loving so
ievotedly; nor did Terry ever give
her any attention, whatever, after her
separation from Houston. Young
Terry is described as a remarkably
fine looking, wealthy and
we'll educated young fellow, and
though all devotion TO Miss Allen be-
'ore her marriage to Houston, TO all
appearances, never forgave her for
hat act. But he never married, and
,ome years afterwards died from con-
sumption. From the day of her be-
,rothal to Houston, Miss Aliens
whole nature was changed. From q
gay, proud and naughty belle, and
society lady, she became
quiet, demure, sad faced little wo-
nan, stunning society and repulsing
III its attentions and courtesies pos
,esing the full sympathies of the best
PEOPLE Of the State as the pure-mind-
d and innocent-hearted victim ofun-
ortunate circumstances She re-
NAMED q widow fifteen or twenty
ears, loved and honored as pure.
woman, but the sting Of
divorced ever vounding her soft
nd delicate nature. She finally mar
led a DR.. Douglass, Of Gallstin-a
,oble hearted man who bad been spe-
iaIlv kind and true TO her and her
smily.-Hickman (Ky.) Courier.