The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-11-28
REVIVED.
The Death of the Duchess Of Sutherland Sets
Society Talking.

The Death of the Duchess of Sutherland Sets
Society Talking.
London Special TO New York World.
The death of the Duchess of Sutherland has
set the upper circles of society talking. It's
the end of the first scene Of a distressing domes-
tic drama in which her Grace was the victim.
and which recently narrowly escaped exposure
in the law courts, where the case was settled
after the preliminary issue had been joined
Until recent years the Duke and Ouch
ess were exceedingly happy. The Duchess
achieved honor by entertaining Garioaidi hrst
In London society, when the liberator, wearing
q red shirt and buckskin breaches. was sur
rounded by fair women and great statesmen in
the gilded salons and picture gallery of Stat
ford House. which il is now reported has passed
into the temporary hands of the Vanderbilts for
next season.
Some years ago the Duchess was appointed
mistress of tue robes, almost coincident with q
causual meeting between the Duke and hrs.
James, the wife of an army officer. This lady
was as spare as the Duchess was stout. aud as
dark as the Duchess was fair. Both ladies were
about the same age. but Mrs. James's hair was
streaked with gray. The Duke was fascinated
with the lady. Compensation was offered Mr..
James, who, instead of accepting, blew his brains
out, causing an immense sensation at the time.
Divorce proceedings between the Duke and
Duchess were stopped, partly by the good sense
of the families and partly by the direct instiga-
ton OF the Queen, who was an especial friend
Of the Dukes mother. The Duchess bore the
deprivation of her husbands society with ex-
emplary resignation, bit never met him exceps
on formal occasions.
Meanwhile the Duke spent the autumn, win
ter and spring yachting, generally IN southern
waters, with Mrs. James, whose prucery some
times required the convenient presence OF an
easily found complaisant chaperone. Last win
ter the Duke, meeting Admiral Sir Reginald
Macdonald and some other intimate friends OK
the Prince OF Wales, invited them to share his
yacht for the remainder Of the cruise in Indian
waters. All went well till one day when the
lady insisted that they or she should leave the
yacht. The result was the Prince OF Wsless
friends were bundled over the side, not sorry
to quit the orgies OF the Duke and his compan-
, wD.r. After the shi' ,as the ya s1asb sen' 3 s Israi
adviser of the King. who placed .
palace at the Dukes disposal. Here even nat
i've feelings were outraged by the proceedings
of the party and the yacht was obliged TO leave,
to the great comfort of royalty and foreign resi-
dents.
On his return, last summer, the Prince OK
Wales spoke seriously with the Duke. but with
out result, for the connection Continued until
death relieves the Duchess. Suffering society
is anxious to know whether Mrs. James's fasci-
nation over the Duke will induce him to marry
her. The woman Is clever. Her family pro-
duced more first classes at Oxford than any
other in England, the father having been public
orator and Disraelis host ia 1853.
The Duchess of Sutherland was Anna Nc
Kenzie, only child of j. Hay Mckenzie, OF
martie, Scotland. His ancestor, the Earl OK
Cromartie. espoused the cause Of Prince Charlie
in the rising of 1745. The title was attainted and
the estates sequestered. About the year 1860
the estates were restored by Queen Victoria and
the Duchess came into possession, with the title
OF Countess of Cromartie. She was married TO
the Duke of Sutherland in 1850. Five children
have been the issue-Lord Cover, who died in
early youth; the Marquis OF Stafford, Lord Tar
bat, Lady Florence. who became the wife OF the
Ri Hon. Henry Chaplin, Nj. p, and who died
10 1851, and Lady Alexandra, still unmarried.
The Duke of Sutherland was greatly surprised
on his arrival in New York Sunday TO receive q
cablegram announcing the serious illness Of the
Duchess, who, In comparatively good health.
babe him farewell in London the day
Of his departure. The Duke Immediately
arranged to return BY to-day's stesmer. A little
later IN the day he was shocked by the an
nouncemsnt OF her sudden death. He was sent
to New York from London by his physicians TO
escape the evil effects of the bad weather pre-
vailing in Great Britain at this season. The
Mrs. Blair who has accompanied the Duke on
his trips to America is said to have been the
wife OF one or his gamekeepsrs, whom the Duke
accidentally shot while out hunting on his es-
tate. Her presence with the ducal party has
excited much adverse criticism. When they
were last in IT, country many invitations ex-
tended to the Duke ignored Mrs. Blair. others
Recognized her. and the Duke was often accom-.
panied by her on bis social visits. Upon one
occasion. in April, 1856, he attended a fashion
able wedding in New York arrsyed in one oil
the peajackets that he was accustomed GO
sport ON the wave. His action was severely
criticised. In Washington he was severely LEI
alone, even the British minister, II is said, ig
uoring his nrasence.