Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-28
A CUBAN BELLIES WOE
Story of a Beauty Who Once Reigned
in Spanish AristOcracy.
LEFT PENNILESS In NEW YORK
By Wealthy Husband Only Few Mont
After Her Marriage.
NOW HEIRESs TO FIFTEEN MILLIONS

ESPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE DIsPATcH.I
NEW YORK, Dec. 27.-The decree in the
suit for limited divorce of Sonora B. Casa
nova against her husband, Ricardo Casa
nova Rodriguez. wealthy Cuban, whic h
has been pending in the Supreme Court
since last June, was granted to-day. The
wife secured her divorce with the conditions
appealed for, and her wrongs are righted so
far as lies in the power of the courts.
Sonora Casanova's history, as brought to
light during the suit, is an exceptionally
sad and dramatic one. Despite the fact that
her husband is a very rich man, she was
sued last July by one Cyrus A. Stevens, of
"a Lafayette place, for 14S weeks board.
The amount that Stevens claimed was Justly
due him for board was 81 ,036, with interest.
He also held in his possession assignments
Of other debts against Sonora amounting to
several hundred dollars.
Abandoned by Her Husband.
Sonora Casanova retained Wright 8 Gull
len, the lawyers who presented Mr.. Stevens
claims against her, to push her suit for di-
vorce. She declared that her husband had
absolutely abandoned her and failed to sup
port her. Casanova deserted her in Novem-
Der, 1876, upon the pretense that he was 60
ing to Havana to engagein business. Money
TO defray the expenses of his journey was
furnished by his wife's friends at her solici-
tation. Before his departure he supported
his wife, but once away he neglected to send
her dollar.
Sepora Casanova went on a visit to friends
in Cuba in 1889. Her husband sent her
word that if she would return to New York
and secure divorce he was willing to settle
all claims upon him by giving her $4,000.
This proposition the Sonora absolutely de-
clined to listen to. Casanova's father,
Imcencio Casanova, a prominent citizen of
Cuba, died on May 80. leaving over S15. .000,-
600 to his heirs. Casanova came in for a
large share of the fortune. He again made his
wife an offer of S4 600 through his brother,
Jose Casanova, in the following June to close
all claims upon him. Sonora Casanova wrote
her husband that she would insist upon her
rights.
Welded to an American.
Sonora Casanova has certainly not been
one of fortunes favorites. She was born at
Holjyin, on the east coast of the island of
Cuba. Her family is one of the Oldest and
most prominent of the Spanish aristocracy.
She grew to be tall, exquisitely propor-
toned girl of great beauty. An abundance
of raven black hair, skin as white as the
the characteristics which enabled her to
easily lead in the race with rival bellies.
She reigned as social queen at Santiago
de Cuba Rosa for several seasons, and there
met her first husband-f for she was widow
when she was married to CasaIova-Dr.
Augustus E. Phillips, the American Vice
Consul al Santiago. DIR. Phillips was also
a man of considerable means. He went to
Cuba from Providence, r. 1. The beautiful
girl was surrounded by a host of admirers,
but the young dentist was an ardent suitor,
soon won the affections of the sonora, and
after very brief engagement they were
married.
Widowed by Suicide.
The trouble with the revolutionists began
In 1868. DR.. Phillips Dravely defended the
consulate during an attack of the revolu-
tionists, but was afterward forced to leave
the island with his young wife, under tine
protection of the British Consul. He was
not reinstated by the Grant administration.
and he then endeavored to make a living by
his profession. He was unsuccessful, how
ever, and after various Intellectual attempts
he committed suicide at the Crittenden Ho-
tel, in this city.
In 1876 Mrs. Phillips met Ricardo Casa
nova, and was married to him June q of
that year. Ricardo told his wife that his
father was a wealthy man, but that he
would cut him off without a penny if his
marriage to poor woman was known. On
the strength of his statement the sonora
went to live with Mrs. Taylor, at 112
Madison avenue. Mrs. Taylor soon ascer-
tanned that her beautiful boarder was with
out means, but with the kindness of true
woman she did not press her claim. Ricardo
visited the house frequently, but always
managed to avoid Mrs. Taylor. The mar
riage took place at the Church of the Holy
Martyr, on Second avenue