The evening light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1881-1883, 1883-01-06
THRICE DIVORCED.
Curious History of the Russian Imperial
Vice-COnsul Stern.
A Man Who Married Three Times and
Made Several Fortunes.

A Man Who Married Three Times and
Made Several Fortunes.
Special Correspondence of the Evening Light.
NEW YORK, January 1.-The death of
Edward Stern, Russian Imperial Vice Consul to
New York, In his apartments in the Hoffman
House, terminates a career strange and event
full enough to form the basis of romance. He
had been three times married, and as often di-
vOrced or separated from his wives, and his
quarrels and lawsuits with them were the sen
sations of the time i'm New York and Paris. He
was a daring and successful Spectator ana his
estate amounted it is said, at one time to more
than x4OOO,UO and in the course OF his check
cred career he made and lost several fortunes.
His birth and early life are more or less shronded
in mystery. He is said TO have been born in
one of the Baltic provinces in 1874, where he
his youth he was first schoOlmaster and after
wards tax collector. He resigned this latter
occupation in consequence OF a dlsagreeable IN
cdent in connection with his duties, and left his
native country for England. Here he engaged
in stock speculation and married an English
woman, from whom he was soon afterward
fortunes and twice he was reduced to penny
whenhe came to America. In this country he
made a large amount OF money during the war
as an army contractor, and again changed his
residence TO France, where he won the hand
and affections of wealthy lady, Mile. Averal,
with whom he had difficulties subsequently,
which resulted in
A sCANDALOUs SUIT
Franco German war: Before the suit was de-
cded his wife died. The Judgment, which was
given after his wife's death, established the
validity of the marriage but annuled all the
StipulatiOns of the marital contract. In 1876
Mr.. Stern returned to the Inited States. A year
later he married Il daughter OF MIR. Jules A.
DruillAt, of this city, who was ignorant OF
Stern's previous assOciat ions and character.
With his third wife he returned to Paris, where
four children We're born TO them, two of whom
died soon after birth. Mr.. and Mrs. Sterns
/ f.lI ll.4lG.
1881, an open rupture occurred between them.
The discord reached a climax in u theatrical
way. One day in the presence OF Mr.. Stern, al
dinner Mrs. Stern repfnanded Il servant, who
made bold by his masters disregard for his
wife, called her a liar. She called upon her hus
band for protection but he refused to notice
the insult. Upon this Mrs. Stern left the table
and went to her room, where she packed up
few necessary articles of her personal property,
and, taking one child by the hand and giving
the other to her maid they attempted to leave
the house, Her husband ordered the servant
who had nsqltea her at the table to prevent
the egress of the children. The laeky made
tho attempt when Ehe presented a revolver ut
his head aud carried the children away in tr-
umph. She began suit against her husband
before the civil tribunal of the Seine TO COM
pei him to pay her 25,UOOf. and to make her II
monthly allowance of 600Of pending decision
of an application for divorce before the Amer
lean courts. The case was decided against him,
and the Judge, in summing up, condemned
Stems course in strong language. He was
sentenced TO pay 6,OOJf. and 4,OOOt. monthly for
eighteen months during her divorce suit in
America and To leave his wife the guardian OF
their children.
THE TESTIMONY TAKEN
during the suit showed that Stern was called
Edward Moses by his parents when he was pre-
sented in the synagogue; that he subsequent!
Joined the Lutheran communion under the
name of otto, aud afterwards pretxed "de'
i'm England.
The same month the Paris suit was decided
Stern brought q suit for limited divorce from
fa hatn Ind lnF in he. -.
court of this city, on the ground that she had
abandoned him with their children in Paris
Mrs. Stern brought suit for absolute divorce,
and the details of the case created u sensation
in New York which is not yet forgotten. Mrs
Stern lived with her father, Mr.. Druilhet, in
Madison avenue, while this suit was pending,
and Mr.. Stern was not AT all choice in the Ian
guage he frequently and freely used in regard
TO his wife and her parents. The ill-felling be-
tween Air. Druilhet and his son-in-law finally
eliminated in personal encounter between
the two gentlemen, in front of the Hoffman
house last February, before number ut spec
tatdrs, Mr., Stern was seen to enter his car
riage one morning when Mr.. Drlilhet came up
tapped on the window, and beckoned him IL
alight He stepped from the carriage and at
ter Il few words of alteration Mr.. Druilhet
STRUCK STERN ACROSS THE FACE
with his .walldng-stick, and both gentlemen
belabored each other until theiraeanes werc
broken. Mr.. Stern then made complaint
against his Authoritarian, and both men wer
taken before Justice kilbreth in the Jefferson
Market Police Court Mr.. Rruilhet admitted
the assault, hut said II was the result of gTiev
Gus insult ana oalumny on the part of Mr.
Stern. FL.
Mr. Stern charged that his wife's parents were
the main authors of his domestic difficulties,
and his wife was permitted 10 associate with u
woman whom Mr.. Druilhet had previously
denounced as an improper person. The charge
was not sustained against Mr.. Druilhet and hr
was discharged. Soon after Mr.. Stern went
back to France, and returned to New York last
September. When his condition becape dan
gerous, Mr. Stern, who was then living IN
separate apartments In the Hoffmun House,
came TO his bedside and nursed during his last
hours. Mr.. Stern was u director in the Munic-
ipal Gaslight Company and is said to have had
$2,000,OO0 invested i'm Wall street at the time of
his death. He is said TO have left will be-
queathing large sums TO his attorney and
servants. Mr.. Stern was known for passion for
poker and baccarat and is said to have on
one occasion lost $4,000 at the games during a
single evening in Paris.