The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-10-29
KNOT TIED
BY A WOMAN.
Mrs. Gregory Performed
Wedding Ceremony.
TO REDEEM A PROMISE.
Allen Gregory Was Pledged TO
Marry Miss ClaybOurn.
TO REDEEM A PROMISE.
CASE READS LIKE A ROMANCE

Chicago, Oct. 29.-There was most
dramatic scene in the probate court yes
tcrday. when the hearing OF the con-
test over the estate OF Allen Gregory was
in progress. Mrs. Lille ID. Gregory,
niece by marriage OF dead cattle dealer,
testified that she performed the mar
riagc ceremony which. II is alleged.
bound Allen Gregory and Martha Cay
bourn as man and wife.
Allen Gregory, known as the father
of the stock yards" died Aug. last,
leaving an estate valued at $1,000 600.
He was supposed 10 be without wife
or child. and letters of administration
were issued to collateral heirs. Soon
after this, however, Miss Martha Clay
bourn, or as she claims, Mrs. Allen
Gregory, asked that she be declared the
widow. 1t is alleged that Miss Clay
bourn entered the home of Mr. Gregory
In 1892 as member of the family. She
was generally known as Miss Claybourn,
although IL Is asserted that Mr.. Gregory
on more than one occasion introduced
her as his wife. Gregory was 75 years
OF age when he died. while the present
claimant il about 81. and a member OF
one OF the best known families in Chi
caso.
The witness said she had first met Miss
Claybourn at her uncles home. 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. II
was received kindly by my uncle" she
said. but indinerently by Miss Clay
,f,,r, NIL a
antly. and luncheon time arrived. Here
II was that my eyes were opened TO
the true state of affairs I'm that house
hold Miss Claybourn had persisted
for some time in my accepting 30 cents
for a SUBSCRIPTION to magazine l
publish. Finally she reached her hand
with the money in IL To me. but like
flash withdrew ii and. clasping her hand
to her head. gave vent TO heartrending
gasp and turned ghastly white. Moth
ing more was said until after luncheon,
when uncle went up to the sccUud ffUUr.
Then Miss Claybourn told me she was
going away; that she could stand 1t
no longer. In an instant the whole
terrible truth was plain to me. asked
her why they did not get married, and
she said my uncle had promised year
after year TO make her his wife: that
she was now satisfied that he would
never fulfil those promises. and that she
had resolved to leave him forever"
The witness broke down. but resumed:
'I determined that something must be
done To right this terrible wrong. /
went up stairs to my uncle and asked
him If he would allow this faithful wom
an 10 go out into the world alone. aged
and friendless; if he intended TO break
all the promises he had made 20 her and
cast her adrift / told him he had
wrecked this innocent girls life and
blasted another woman's hopes. and
that he must suffer for his cruel actions.
lie 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 Claybourn walked in.
Miss Claybourn. said to her. uncle
Al will marry you. Can't you get
minister? Miss Claybourn replied: He
has been promising me for 40 years.
j don't want promises. Miss Claybourn
then told the witness that she had not
been To church for many years and did
not know whore to find minister At
this the witness suggested that she was
a minister's daughter and could re-
member the form Of the service. Ac-
cording TO the witness, she then spoke
the words necessary to bind man and
wife together. and both her uncle and
Miss Cl8ybourn repeated them. Mrs.
Gregory then said she pronounced them
man and wife, saying: What God has
Joined together, let no man put asunder."
After the ceremony Mrs. Gregory tes-
tilted. Allen Gregory said that he felt
better. but that he did not want the cir
cumstances announced to the relatives.
although the witness endeavored to get
him to do this.