Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1900-01-31
GEN. SAM HOUSTON'S FIRST
MARRIAGE.
OR WHY HE WE'D AND FLED.

OR WHY HE WE'D AND FLED.
We are indebted to Rev. r. M. To
tie, OF CoIlierstown, for tie followil
information with reference to the ma
rage OF General SAM Houston. Fc
loving the several articles already pu
llshed in The GAZETTE of this illuslriol
son of kockbridge, we are sure The trr
history of bis unfortunate marriage wi
he read with interest EDITOR.
The lines below, in a rythmical SET
ting, give the true story of GenI Sai
Houston's marriage to Miss Allen, an
OF bis self-lnposed exile from his ador
ted stale at highland in few hour
after the nuptiels. The facts wer
communicate to the writer in April O
ihls year at Abilene, Texas, by Gen
John Sayles, the well-kuown law. con-
rller of the Lore Star State. Col
Stephen Roberts was the informant O
Gen1 Sayles. General Sam Houstor
was born at Timber Ridge, near Lex.
lnSton, RockbrIdge county, on the End
OF March, 1913. The widowed mother
and children novel to Tennessee in
1910. The Old hero was in CONGRESS-
from 1928 to 1S27-two terms He
was chosen Governor of Tennessee in
1928, and married in 1929. He is
turiod at Huntsville, Texas, where a
plain slab marks the grave, Following
the poem, is letter frsm General Saw
'es.
In tho early days OF Tennessee,
Under the olden time regime.
One sat in the Gubernator's chair
OF manly mien, and princely air,
And mighty in the world s esteem.
Oh massive form, and weighty brow,
And knightly in his port and stride
lie was the handsomest OF men
A leader born for one or ten,
And marohalled myrlads beside.
Brave, soldierly, and apt for war
In open field, or tangled fen,
lie had with Jackson served awhile,
And could az any danger snila
Yet was irenical with men.
Deep down, he had warmth OF soul,
And tender chords of sentiments;
Indeed, he loved and wooed, and won
A woman fair to look upon,
And rich in rare accomplishment.
Her heart coasenting, as he thought,
Eftsoons they TO the altar went,
And, when the nuptial rites were done,
They were in holy wedlock one,
And nothing marred the merriment.
treat, were the preparations made;
Costly, the viands that were served
Twas as a wedding time at Court,
Where wines went round-champange
and port
and courty canons were observed. ..
he bridal room was Romanesque,
Curtained and Observation-Disclosures
With every comfort for repose,
md things to cheer the most morose,
And for the welded lovers meet II
When slumb'rous hours suggested rest, {
The bride into her chamber went
tut she, from rue and wounded pride.
Fept sorely that she had not died
Before the evenings gay event
0, when tho groom Admitted was,
lie found his lady love in tears,
nd with establishment and grief,
lie asked her-for his souls relief {
Why grief, so lacrymal, was hers. q
Ter words were poniards TO his heart,
And this is what she sobbing, said c
My loves upon another rest
My parents thought your suit the best,
"And am by compulslon we'd"
18th honor regnant in his soul, !
The groom embraced her with kiss,
nd Whispered words, and heaved sigh,
nd, bidding hera long Goodbye"
Then left her in her virgin bliss. t
eastward into the wilds he went; s
Among the redmen found home; p
ut, born to rule and WELD the sword, t.
G drifted to the Southern board, :,
AS led by destiny to roam.
ne marriage bond dissolved by law,
That weeping angel" wed again, -
nd happily the eeque! proved, n
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