Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1897-10-31

CHICAGO, October 30.-A dramatic
scene was witnessed in the Probate Court
to-day during the hearing at the contest
over the estate of the late Allen Gregory.
Mrs. Lille d. Gregory, a niece by mar
rage of Gregory, testified that she was
the person who performed the marriage
ceremony which it is alleged made Allen
Gregory and Martha Claybourne, his
sweetheart of 40 years. man and wife.
CONTEST OVER THE ESTATE.
Allen Gregory, known as the Father
of the Stock Yards died August last,
leaving an estate valued at s1,0O0,000. He
was supposed to be without wife or child.
and letters of administration were issued
to collateral heirs. Soon after this Miss
Martha C!aybourne-as she claims, Mrs.
Allen Gregory-asked that she be declared
the widow and the American Trust and
Savings Bank appointed administrator.
1t is alleged that Miss Clybourne enter
ed the home of Mr.. Gregory in 1892 IS
member of the family. She was gen.
orally known as Miss Clybourne, although
it is asserted that Mr.. Grebory on more
than one occasion introduced her as his
wife.
Allen Gregory was 70 years old when he
died. while the present claimant is about
81 years old. She is a member of one of
the best known families in Chicago.
MRS. GREGORY TIED THE KNOT.
The witness said she had first met Miss
Clybourne at her uncles house, July 4,
1892. This was the date upon which Mrs.
Gregory says she performed the marriage
ceremony. Mrs. Gregory and her husband
reside in Kansas City, Mo, where she
publishes magazine devoted to the in
terests of the wives of cattlemen.
II was received kindly by uncle she
said. but indifferently by Miss Clybourne
The morning was passed pleasantly and
luncheon time arrived. Here it was that
my eyes were opened to the true state of
affairs in that household.
Miss C.ybourne had persisted for some
time in my accepting fifty cents for a
subscription to my magazine Finally
she reached her hand with the money in il
to me but like flash withdrew and clasp
ing her hand to her head. gave vent to a
heart-rending gasp and turned ghastly
white. She recovered soon. however and
nothing more was said until after lunch
con. when uncle went to the sitting room.
Then Miss Clybourne told me she was
5oiiS away tHat she coulG stand 1t no
longer asked her why they did not gt.s
married. and she said uncle had promised
year after year to make her his wife: that
she was now satisfied that he would never
fulfill those promises and that she had
resolved to leave him forever"
THE WITNESS OVERCOME.
The witness here broke down, but soon
recovered
L determined that something must be
done to right this terrible wrong" con-
tinued Mrs. Gregory. Il went upstairs to
my uncle. I asked him if fhe would allow
this faithful woman TO go out into the
world alone. aged and frendless; if he
intended 10 break all the promises he had
made to her and cast her adrift. I told
him he had wrecked this innocent girls
life and blasted another woman's hopes.
and that he must suffer for his cruel ac-
lions.
He told me to stop; that he would do
what was right. He left his chair and
walked up and down. Suddenly he com
menced to cry, and in the midst of this
scene Miss Clybourne walked in.
Miss Clybourne, said l to her. uncle
Al will marry you. Can't you get a min
ister?' Miss Ciybourne replied: He has
been promising me for forty years. 1
don't want promises .
Miss Clybourne then told the witness
that she had not been to church for many
years and did not know where to find a
minister. At this the witness suggested
that she was minister's daughter and
could remember the fom of service.
KEPT THE MARRIAGE SECRET.
According to the witness, she then spoke
the words necessary TO bind man and
wife together, and both her uncle and
Miss Ciybourne repeated them Mrs.
Gregory then said she pronounced them
man and wife by saying:
What God has joined together let no
man put asunder."
After this ceremony Mrs. Gregory tes-
titled that Allen Gregory said he felt bet
ter but that he did not want the circum-
stances announced to the relatives. al
though the witness endeavored to get him
to do this. Mrs. Gregory concluded her
testimony by tesnfying that Morton G.
Baker was sent for that evening to take
her to the train for Kansas City.
" NO IAKN