The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-10-29
MARRIED BY A WOMAN
SENSATIONAL TESTIMONY IN A CON-
TEST OVER A CHICAGO ESTATE.
Daughter of a Minister Says She Pro-
nOunced Allen Gregory and Miss
CIybOurn Man and Wife.

CHICAGO, Oct ga most dramatic
scene was witnessed in the Probate Court
to-day, when the hearing of the contest
over the estate Of the late Allen Gregory
was on hearing. Mrs. Lille d. Gregory, a
niece by marriage of the dead cattle deal
er, took the stand and testified that she
was the person who performed the mar
riage ceremony which, it is alleged, bound
Allen Gregory and Martha Clybourn, his
sweetheart of forty years, man and wife
Allen Gregory, known as the father of the
stockyards,' died Aug. 2 last, leaving an
estate valued at s1,OOOOOO. He was supposed
to be without wife or child and letters
of administration were issued to collateral
heirs. Soon after this. however Miss
Martha Clybourn, or 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 Miss Clybourn entered the home
of Mr.. Gregory in 1892 as a member of the
family. She was generally known as Miss
Clybourn, although it is asserted that
Mr.. Gregory on more than one occasion in
troduced her as his wife Allen Gregory
was seventy-three years of age when he
died, while the present claimant is about
sixty-two years Of age. She is a member Of
one Of the best-known families in Chicago
The witness said She had first met Miss
Clybourn at her uncle's house July A. 1892
This was the date on which Mrs Gregory
says she performed the ceremony Mrs.
Gregory and her husband reside in Kansas
City, where she publishes a magazine de-
voted to the interests Of the wives CT cat
tlemen- Il was received kiisSiy oy uncle,
she said but indinerently by Miss ely
DOirn. morning wa MI 1xy
and luncheon time arrived. Here it was
that my eyes were opened to the true state
OF affairs in that household. Miss Clybourn
had persisted for some time in my accept
ing so cents for a subscription to my mag
aZine. Finally she reached her hand with
the money in it to me- but like flash
withdrew it and, clasping her hand to her
head gave vent to heartrending, although
almost inaudible gasp and turned CHASTITY
white. She recovered quicklyA however. and
nothing more was said until after luncheon,
when uncle went up to the second floor sit
ing room. Then Miss Clybourn told me
she was going away; that she could stand
1t no longer. In an instant the whole ter
rible truth was plain to me. I asked her
why they did not get 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 for
ever.
The witness broke down, but soon re-
sumed: II determined that something must
ne done TO flghr this terrible wrong" con-
tinued Mrs. Gregory 81 went upstairs to
my uncle. I asked him If he would allow
this faithful woman to go out into the
world alone aged and friendless: if he in
tended to 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 womans hopes and must
suffer for his cruel actions He told me to
stop; that he would do what was right He
left his chair and walked up and down.
Suddenly he commenced to cry and in the
midst of this scene, Miss Clybourn walked
in. Miss C1ybourn.' said to her, Uncle Al
will marry youg Cant you get a Minister
Miss Clybourn replied: He has been prom
lslng me for forty years. don't want prom
Uses. " Miss Clybourn then told the witness
that she had not been to church for many
years and did not know where to find a
minister. The witness suggested that she
was a minister's daughter and could re-
member the form of the service According
to the witness, she then spoke the words
necessary to bind man and wife together
and both her uncle and Miss Clybourn re-
peated them. Mrs. Gregory then said she
pronounced them man and wife, saying:
What God has joined together let no man
put asunder.' After this ceremony Mrs
Gregory testified ALLEN Gregory said he felt
better, but that he did not want the circum-
stances announeed to the relatives all
though the witness. endeavored to get him
to DO so. Mrs. Gregory concluded her tes-
ti7nony by testifying that Merton G. Baker
was sent for that evening to take her to the
train for Kansas City.