Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1895-07-31
For the Spectator.
For the Spectator.
GENERAL SAM HOUSTON's FIhsi MA
RIAGE,
Or why He Wed and Fled.

The lines below, in rhythmical setting, give
the true story of General Sam Houston's mar
rage to Miss Allen, and Of his sef-1mposeo
exile from his adopted State-at highland IN
a few hours after the nuptials. The facts were
communicated to the writer in April OF THIS
year at Abilene, Texas, by General Jonh
Savles. the well-known Law-compiler OF the
Lone Star State Colonel Stephen Roberts
was the informant of General Sayles. General
Sam Houston was born in Rockbridge county,
Virginia. ON the End of March, 1893. The
widowed mother and children moved to
Tennessee in 1870 The old hero was in Con-
gress from 1928 to 1S27-two terms. He was
chosen Governor of Tennessee in 1928, and
married in 1929. He is buried at Huntsville,
Texas. where a plain slab marks the grave.
Following the poem, is letter from General
Sayles;-
In the early days Of tennessee
Under the old regime,
One sat in the GubernatorS Cnalr
OF manly mien, and prlncely ali,
And mighty in the worlds esteem.
OF massive form and weighty brow,
And knightly in his port and stride,
He was the handsomest OF men,
A leader born for one, or ten,
And marShalled myriadS beside.
Brave. soldierly, and apt for war
In open field, or tangled fen,
He had with Jackson served aWh1le,
And could at any danger smile,
Yet was irenical with men.
Deep down, he had warmth of soul,
And tender chords of sentiment;
Indeed, he loved, and wooed, and won
A woman fair to look upon.
And rich in rare accompaniment
Her heart consenting, as he thought,
Eftsoons they to the altar went,
And, when the nupt1al rites were done,
They were in holy wedlock one,
And nothing marred the merriment.
Great, were the preparations made;
Costly, the viands that were served;
Twas as a wedding-time at Court,
Where wines went round champagne ana
And Courtly canons were observed.
The bridal room was RomaneSque,
Curtained and tapeStrted,-replete
With every comfort for repOSe,
And things to cheer the most morose,
And for the welded lovers meet.
When slumbrous hours suggested sleep,
The Bride was to her chamber LED,
But she, from rue and wounded prlde,
Had rather fallen down and died,
Than to have pressed that nuptial bed.
So, when the Groom admitted was,
He found his 1ady-love in tears,
And, with astonishment and grief,
He asked her-for his souls relief
Why grief, so lacrymal, was nerS.
Her words were poniards to his heart,
And this is what she, SObb1ng, Sa1d:-
my loves upon another rest;
Ny parentS thought your suit the best,
And / am by compulsion Wed"
With honor regnant in his soul,
The Groom embraced her with kiss,
And whispered words and heayed s1gh'
And, bidding her a long ''Good-bYe,"
Then left her in her virgin bliss.
Westward into the wilds he went;
Among the red men found home;
But, born to rule and WELD the sword,
He drifted to the Southern Board,
As led by Destiny to roam.
The marriage bond dissolved by Law,
That weeping angel wed again,
And happily, the sequel proved,
To him she early, only loved,
Tho an untitled citizen.
The Groom, who left the woeful Bride
Upon that Hateful weddingnight,
~Eeft-Chtef Executive OF State
Left Tennessee and honors great
Because civic star of light. -t.t
Ask Texans for his name and fame!
Ask San JacintoS field of gOre!!
Sam Houston, hero StateSman,-he,
Who raised Nation by the sea,
That famous Bridegroom was Of yore.
Both sleep! The Bride, in Tennessee;
The Groom, beneath the Southern Cross
Where sigh the Zephyrs from the sea,
And where the dOmy live-Oak tree
Is hammered with sepulchral moss.
r. NJ. FUTILE.
Cisco, Texas.