Text: Anonymous, “Poe's First and Last Love,” Daily Richmond Whig (Richmond, VA), February 12, 1888, p. 1, col. 3

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One more of the few ties that prominently connect the name of Edgar Allen Poe to earth has been broken.

Of those who figured in the life of that poet, whom the French to this day consider the greatest of American literateurs, Mrs. Sarah E. Shelton, who died in this city yesterday, was the only one who could speak authoritatively upon the history of the last few months of his life spent in the city of Richmond. Although, so intimate was her connection with him, his life and inmost thoughts at that time must have been as an open an irrevocable seal his lips, her book to her, when had once put death, his own closed, existence; too, and upon but those seldom pages were ent her references to the dark eyed, passionate man who, in youthful days, had dedicated effusive lyrics to herself, and at a much later period more became a suitor for her hand, and died, it is presumed, her betrothed. She was his first and last love.

In 1825, when Poe was preparing to enter the University of Virginia, he experienced his innovation into the field of love. Studies ere for the time being neglected, and the ardent neophyte poured forth his soul's yearnings in poetical effusions that, fortunately or otherwise, seldom reached the one whose charms had awakened them.

His devotions at this time were concentrated upon Miss Sarah Elmira Royster, the daughter of a neighbor of Mr. Allen, then Fifth and Main streets, who had A the boy when left an orphan in The letters that never came failed to awaken a responsive love in the bosom of the girl, and the romance culminated in her early marriage to a merchant, and the outburst some Byronical verse on the part of the duped suitor. Poe's adventures at college, in the United States army, at West Point. and his subsequent erratic literary career, and so well known in this city, where his writings still remain popular, as to render repetition un necessary. His later connection with Mrs. Shelton may not be so well known.

He was married to his cousin Virginia Clemm, on May 16th, 1836, in this city, where he was then engaged as editor of the Southern Literary Messenger. A little less than a year later, having resigned, he removed to Philadelphia, where he soon assumed the editorship of Burton's Gentleman's Magazine. After leaving that journal, and spending a year at the head of Graham's Magazine, he removed to New York, where, on January 30, 1847, his wife died.

The second passion of his life was inspired by Sarah Helen Whitman. a poetess of Providence. His first efforts towards inducing her to consent to become his wife utterly failed, and early in 1848 he came to Richmond. Here he once more met Mrs. Royster, now the widow Shelton.

In the “Life of Poe in the American Men of Letters Series,” it is said: “She was well supplied with worldly goods He was about to her, when and well disposed towards, be received a letter from Mrs. Whitman, and once more his fickle fancy turned in that direction.

Leaving Richmond soon after, he called upon Mrs. Whitman at Providence, and after several ineffectual efforts succeeded in making a conditional engagement with her. The day was subsequently appointed, but owing to his having several times become intoxicated, the match was broken off.

In July, 1849, the poet returned to Richmond for the last time. He stayed here until September soliciting subscriptions to the Stylus, a new magazine he proposed starting. During that time he renewed his attentions to Mrs. Shelton, and it was rumored that an engagement existed between them. Mrs. Shelton is said to have denied this, but as she went into mourning after his death, it is to be presumed that this was incorrect.

Poe, in a letter to his mother-! law, Mrs. Clemm, informed her that the date for his marriage had been for October 17, 1849. He left Richmond on September 30th, presumably to bring Mrs. Clemm to this city to witness the nuptials. A few days later came intelligence of his sickness in the Baltimore hospital, and on October 6th the news of the death was received.

THE FUNERAL.

The funeral of Mrs. Shelton whose death occurred at 1000 east Clay street, will be held at Grace-street Presbyterian Church at 3 P. M. to-day.