The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1893-10-24
GAM E0USTON'S YSTERf.
1t Is Explained by Ono Who Is fam1iiar
with the Gaze.

From The st. Louis Republic
The ineXplicable mystery WIlch mas Hthc' "
HING about the first marriage ana ihe Separ"-
tion of General Sam Houston, the great VA
,ior-statestlan, is entirely removed py 'le lol-
lovinr story related to The Republic cor
RESPONDENT by Rev. w. d. owen, Prespyte-
,;,n minister who is here as the guest OF a
brother minister having few days ago ar
rived from his home in Arcadia. La. MI
owen resided in the state of Tennessee for
many years and during his residence thef'
formed the acquaintance of MIS-. WllilaIhS'
a cousin of Miss Allen the young lady Hous-
ton married. A strong feeling of affection eA-
listed between the two cousins. and MIS- VIII
liams who was a parishoner Of Mr.. owen,
one day related to him the story OF the mar
riage and separation substantially as related
TO her by Miss Allen. Today MI owen told
the story to your correspondent as 1t was re-
lated to him. 1t was substantially as FOL
lows:
Previous to her engagement and marriage
with Houston Miss Allen ardently loved
by 4 Young man Of the neighborhood, whose
name Mr.. Owen has forgotten. lie was
deserving young fellow, va n bright prospects
before him. but was poor III so lar us lhlS
worlds goods were concerned. He sought MISS
Aliens hand in marriage and was accepted.
The marriage would In all probability have
taken place but for the strenuous objections
interD0sed by the young lady'S parents. Hous-
ton had already paid Miss Allen some atten-
tion which she reciprOcared III a courteous
manner, he being a man Of great prominence
in politics, the governor of the state, Win
prospects Of still greater advancement. WIN
these considerations. together with the prefer
ence of her parents, VINO opposed her own
choice Miss Allen renowned her former lover
and accepted il0uston'S offer of marriage.
The day was set for the marriage and all
arrangements were made for the nuDlal
rod of he rnsi-
dence Of the brides parents in the presence
of a few invited guests, immediate friends and
relatives of the contracting parties. Among
those invited was the young man whom Miss
Allen had discarded. He entered the room as
the marriage ceremony was being concluded.
Just az the jeweed hand of the bride was
the marriage vow. Miss Allen noted the en-
trance of her former lover. Her cheek paled
viSbly and her hand trembled as it was grasp
ed by Houston. Houston noted her agitation.
but said nothing until after congratulations
had been extended and the marriage feast TN
When all these festivities were over and
the bride and groom repaired to their room to-
mind and bluntly demanded of his bride why
she naled and trcmbled during the performance
of the nuptial rites. His wife burst into tears
and refused to make any answer. He insisted,
stating that it was his right to know. Again
she declined all the while weeping bitterly.
\ third time Houston demanded an answer to
his question, and finally his wife, amid tears.
told him that she would make reply to his
questions in regard to the matter if he would
listen to her explanation after all had been
told. This condition agreed to- and
Houston began first by asking Mrs. Houston
if she did not love another before she met
him. Her reply was that she did. The next
question
'Do you love him more than you do your
husband?'
TO this vital question Mrs. Houston replied:
81 do
Then" said Houston, IT will release you
from the obligations you have just made
And nj u hrl .fAt