Evening journal., 1897-10-29
PLAYED CLERGYMAN
Woman Married Allen Greg
ory to Miss Clybourn.
STRANGE STORY IN A BIG WILL CASE
Mrs. Lily Gregory, Niece OF the Dead
Millionaire Cattle Dealer. Il the
Lady Who Claims TO Have
Acted as Minister.

fAcAeo hh HAihiHtcfs
CHICAGO. Oct. ga most dramatic
scene was witnessed in the probate
court at the hearing of the contest over
the estate of the late Allen Gregory.
Mrs. Lilly =. Gregory, a niece by mar
riage Of the dead cattle dealer, took the
stand and testified that she was the
person who performed the marriage
ceremony which. Il Is alleged. bound
Allen Gregory and Martha Clybourn.
his sweetheart of 40 years, man and
wife.
Allen Gregory known as the father of
the stockyards. died on Aug. 2 last.
leaving an estate valued at $1,000, 600.
He was supposed 20 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.
It Is alleged Miss Clybourn entered
the home Of Mr. Gregory in 1892 as a
member of the family. She was gem
orally known as Miss Clybourn, al
though 1t is asserted that Mr.. Gregory
on more than oneeoccasion introduced
her as his WIFE Allen Gregory was 7S
years OF age when he died. while the
present claimant is about 62 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 uncles house on
July 4. 1899. This was the date upon
which Mrs. Gregory says she performed
the marriage ceremony. Mrs. Gregory
and her husband reside in Kansas City.
where she publishes magazine devot-
ed to the interests OF the wives Of cat
tlemen. 'I was received kindly by my
uncle" she said. but indifferently by
Miss Clybourn. The morning was pass
ed pleasantly, and luncheon time ar
rived. 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 accepting so cents for a sub
scription to my magazine. Finally she
reached her hand with the money in
It to me, but like a flash withdrew 1t
and. clasping her hand to her head,
gave vent to a heartrending. although
almost inaudible, gasp and turned
ghastly white. She recovered soon.
however, and nothing more was said
until after luncheon, when my uncle
went up to the second floor sitting
room. Then Miss Clybourn told me she
was going away and that she could
stand It no longer
"In an instant the truth was plain TO
me. asked her why they did not get
married. and she said uncle had prom
ised 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 10 leave him
| forever"
The witness broke down. but re-
sumed
Il determined that something must bs
done TO right this wrong. / went M
stairs to my uncle. I asked him if he
would allow this faithful woman TO &c
out into the world alone, aged and
/ friendless: IL he intended to break al
the promises he had made to her and
cast her adrift. 1 told him he has
wrecked this womans hopes and tina
he must suffer for his cruel actions. III
told me to stop; that he would do wha
was right. He left his chair and walk
ed up and down. Suddenly he com
menced TO cry. and in the midst Of thl
scene Miss Clybourn walked in.
Miss Clybourn said ] to her. TN
Gle Al VIII marry you. Can't you get
minister? Miss Clyhourn replied, II
has been promising me for 40 years.
don't want promises.
Miss Clybourn then told the witnes
that she had not been to church 70
many years and did not know where
find minister. At this the witnes
suggested that she was a minister
+, daughter and could remember the forr
of the service.
According to the witness, she the
D spoke the words necessary to bind ma
e and wife together. and both her uncl
e and Miss Clybourn repeated them. Mr.
n Gregory then said she pronounced thei
man and wife by saying
Whom God hath joined together Il
no man put asunder.'
+ After this ceremony, Mrs. Gregor
r testified. Allen Gregory said that
= felt better but that he did not wal
s the circumstances announced to Il
1. relatives, although the witness endea'
l. ored to get him to do this.