, 1888-11-01
LOVES OF GREAT MEN.

Each of our American heroes has lived
the material for a novel, and the successes
and disappointments of their love affairs
would make library of interesting story,
says a writer in Harper's Bazaar. What
can be more pathetic than the lifelong
disappointments of James Buchanan,
John Randolph and Alexander II. Ste.
phens? Buchanan sweetheart died during
lovers quarrel, and his bachelorhood be-
came her monument. Alexander II, Ste
phens disappointed in his school-boy love,
refers often to her in his letters of long
life of single blessedness; and John Ran
dolph, the moody, unhappy, erratic Re-
MUS of Roanoke, lingering for years on
the verge of insanity, speaks OF Maria
Ward las one whom he loved better than
his own soul or Him who created it,"
Randolph's love affair is shrouded in
mystery. He never married, and 1t was
in his early youth that he fell desperately
in love with Miss Ward. She was the
daughter of friend Of his mother. and
Powhattan Bouldin, a relative OF Ran
dolph, says that he was engaged to her
for many years. Bouldin does not give
the reason why the engagement was sud-
denly broken off, but says the distin-
guished lover left the presence of his idol
very much incensed, and that when he
came to his horse, which was tied TO the
limb of a tree near the front gate. he cut
the reins loose with his knife, and rode off
in great haste. Randolph seldom met
Miss Ward after this, and they were not
on speaking terms. Still he calls her an
gel, and in his letters after her death he
used this remarkable expression: 81
loved, ay, and was loved again; not wisely,
but too well"
Maria Ward is said to have been the
greatest belle Of Virginia in her day. She
p,urriaJ DAYTON Randall nh n nf II n ntnnI
Randolph, who was President Washing
tons secretary of state, aud it is related
that she so charmed General Lafayette
when he visited Richmond that he wanted
to adopt her as his daughter, and asked
her to visit him in France.
| General Sam Houston, the president OF
the republic of Texas and United States
senator, was the youngest governor who
had ever presided over of the state of Ten
nessee when he fell in love with pretty
girl at the state capital. He was a fine
looking man and the young lady's parents
considered him a very desirable husband.
They persuaded his sweetheart to accept
him, and he married her, not knowing that
the match was not love one on her part.
After it had taken place he found that his
wife loved another. He asked her If this
was 40, and sne told him it was. He re.
piled that she could have her freedom and
that he would leave Tennessee and permit
her to get divorce on the ground OF de-
sertion. He did so. went to the frontier,
and joined tribe Of Cherokee Indians.
Here he remained three years. and when
he visited Washington in behalf of the
Indians in 1882 he wore the Indian garb.
| From thence he went to Texas, and after
making name and having been president
of the republic Of Texas, he married Mar
garet Moffet, an Alabama lady. His first
wife had, it is said, in the meantime got
divorce and had married her lover.
Davy Crockett, another frontier states
man. and noted hunter, was not less
susceptible to the disappointments of love.
He first became enamored OF relative of
his school master, but while be was court
ing her, rich suitor carried her away
before his eyes. He next met beauty at
ball. fell in love with her at first sight,
and became engaged at the close of the
fifth dance. The day was fixed for him to
announce the engagement to her parents.
He started TO 60 to them, but fell in
with some boon companions and made, as
day too late, and found that his lady love
was to be married that night to another.
He was not a deep lover, however, and he
| made the best Of bad bargain. He
laughed off his disappointment. and
danced all night at the wedding party
given in honor of the union of his sweet.
heart and his rival. He soon fell in love
again. and this time was happily married.
| He lived at first with his wife's mother,
and in the Creek war of 1918 made a rep
utation in fighting the Indians. He was
elected to the legislature, and during
| President Jackson term was sent to con-
gress. He was killed at the very battle of
the Alamo. which was the beginning Of
Sam Houston's great Texas career.
Most of our states men have pure domes-
tic records. and most of them have been
ardent lovers. and have made good hus-
bands. Thomas Benton was devoted to
his wife, and he says in his thirty years
memoirs that he never attended any place
Of festivity or amusement after her death.