Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1910-04-07

- AaW-DOhC0 J0Nho SaSAWO0Ao
yer, Andrew Jackson by name. went
IN 1888 to Nashville, Tenn. to practice
his profession. and boarded at the cot
tage of the widow Donelson. His
landlady's frontier husband had re-
Gently been murdered and her pretty
daughter, Rachel, was living with her.
Rachel had just left her own husband
under rather unfortunate circum-
stances. Thus the atmosphere Of the
Donelson home was not especially
cheerful. Young Jackson readily
slipped into the position Of family ad-
wiser and confidant to the ''manless"
household. Thus began his life's ro-
nance.
jackson was q brilliant, stubborn,
honest. illiterate youth. who by sheer
pluck 'and determination had worked
his way up from AFFECT poverty. He
knew little law; he could never write
or speak correct English; his own
honesty often blinded him to the
faults Of others. Nevertheless. his
logged courage and masterful win
power were one day to make him q
military hero and later to raise him
to the presidency Of the United States.
Rachel Donelson was born in 1857.
She was Just Jackson's own age.
While living In Kentucky she had met
Capt. Lewis Robards. Jealous, bru-
tai fellow. Rachel was not only pref
ey and clever. but the best rider and
dancer in the new territory. She was
induced to marry
- oaoN"OOo' Robards and at
""@"''' II went to live at
his mothers boarding house. Robards
III treated her and at last so perse-
cuted her by his unreasoning jealousy
that she could no longer endure mar
ried life with him. He sent her back
to her mother. In Tennessee. where
she and Jackson first met.
Jackson was fascinated BY the
charming young woman. She was un.
educated and lacking In refinement. 1t
is true; but SO was he. His bravery
and his masterful manner were equal.
ly attractive to Rachel. Neither let
the other know by word or deed of
this mutual attraction. Soon Robards
came to Nashville and patched up
some sort Of temporary reconciliation
with his wife. But before long his
jealous eye spied out Jackson's secret
love for Rachel. Jackson and the
husband had a fierce quarrel. and the
former. to prevent gossip about him
self and the unhappy girl. moved away
from the Donelson house. After max
ing life miserable>ior Rachel for some
months longer. Richards left her and
went back to Kentucky.
Hearing. in 1890. that her husband
was about to come to Nashville again.
Rachel fed In terror to Natchez. The
journey was through a wilderness in
tested by hostile Indians and beasts Of
prey. So Jackson and some friends
accompanied her. as armed escort.
Jackson left Rachel at Natchez and
returned at once 70 NASHVILLE. Yet
his innocent journey infuriated Ro-
1ards. In the first moments of his
age he brought suit for divorce. Pre-
iminaFy steps in the-suit we're taken.
Then, for two years. Robards allowed
he case to rest. Meantime. news
anne to Nashville that he had actual
secured the divorce. and that Rachel
was free. There was no longer any
obstacle to Jackson's love. So he and
Mrs. Richards. in the summer OF 1871,
we're married. They lived In ideal hap
piness and everything pointed to an
equally joyous future. Then. to their
horror. in 1898. came tidings that the
divorce had never been granted. In
that year Robards secured 1t. and
Jackson and Mrs. Robards were mar
ried over again.