Kilgore Woman's Club learn about President Jackson's tragic love story

Patsy Abernathy

The Kilgore Woman's Club held their February 14th meeting at the first Christian Church. Hostesses were Diana Jones, Virginia Wallace and Linda Sartor. The table was set with a Valentine theme, and a marvelous array of delicious "Valentine" goodies, coffee, tea, and juice. Vice President Carroll Bolton opened the meeting with the Club Collect. Ruth Anne Camp read the minutes. Virginia Wallace reported on Civic Affairs. The membership drive has begun for the Kilgore community Concerts. Adult membership is just $35 for these wonderful shows. The new season will open on September 6th, concert by the vocal Majority. For tickets call Claud Wallace 903-983-2834 or Wanda Bittick 903-983- 2834. Tickets are on sale for the musical "Boom" at Kilgore National Bank and Texas Bank and Trust in Longview. The show will be performed at the Kilgore High School on March 8th. Chairman of the social Committee, Sharon Cox, announced the program for the Guest Day Tea to be held at the First Christian Church, Family Life Center on April 10th. A wonderful program is planned with guest speaker Bobbie Hardy, owner of the Scarlett O'Hardy Bed & Breakfast in Jefferson. Ms. Hardy will speak in costume about the "Gone with the Wind" Museum next to her home. More on this exciting event will be forthcoming.

Patsy Abernathy gave the program for the Feb. 14th meeting. The theme was the tragic love story of Rachael Donelson Robards and Andrew Jackson. Rachael was a Pioneer woman, enduring extreme conditions on the trek to the West with her father, Col. Donelson, in flatboats. Rachael married the dashing officer, Lewis Robards in 1785. Trapped in a miserable marriage with a jealous husband, she was told to return to her home, and her brother was sent to fetch her. Andrew Jackson, a young lawyer, rented a room at Rachael's mother's house. The husband soon filed for divorce, and upon this being granted, Rachael married Andrew Jackson. Theirs was a true love story, ending tragically with the death of Rachael in 1828, just shortly before the inauguration of Andrew Jackson, the 7th President of the United States.

The following members attended the meeting: Patsy Abernathy, Carroll Bolton, Dimples Burns, Ruth Anne Camp, Sharon Cox, Patti Cunyus, Lauren Cunyus, Ray Cunyus, Marion Dovel, Dianna Jones, Martha Lee, Virginia Wallace, Ellen Watson, Marion Richardson, The meeting closed with a quote from Carroll Bolton. The next meeting will be held on February 28th in The Family Room of the First Christian Church.