The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-12-02
SHE is NOT TO BLAME
Princess COlOnna and Her Trouble
Discussed by Ochiltree.
Mrs. Mackay's Daughter Praised and
Defended by the COlOnel-A Model
Mother and Christian Woman.

NEW YORK, Dec. mo American friend
of the Mackays has been in a better place
to know the facts of the Colonna disagree
ment than Col. Thomas p. Ochiltree. Col.
Ochiltree dined with Mr.. Mackay last Mon
day night on the occasion of Mr.. Mackay's
sixty-second birthday.
Until now 1 have refrained," said Col.
Ochiltree last evening, from speaking of
this e-strangement, which is due to causes in
no way involving anyone but Prince Colon
ma himself. Mrs. Mackay has borne this
trial with Spartan heroism. 1t has been the
greatest grief of her life. / should never
have opened my lips on the subject had the
fault not been laid at her door. When Mrs.
Mackay came over with her youngest son
Clarence to see her husband after he had
been shot in San Francisco, l accompanied
her. The Princess Colonna came with her
aunt, the Countess Telfener, al the way
from Paris to Southampton TO bid her moth
er and brother goodbye. Never were moth
er and daughter more devotediy attached
TO each other. As for the Prince Colonna,
the less said Of him the better.
II nave known of this estrangement for
several years. 1 am in no position to speak
on behalf OF anyone, but, as a friend Of her
mother and father, / do know that the
Princess Colonna, who is a devout Catholic,
would not seek even a separation without
great provocation. When her mother was
very Ill in Paris, in 1880 or 1881, and her life
was almost despaired Of Eva Bryant
Mackay, then a young girl, stole off and
went with her maid to Lourdes without say
ing a word to anyone. There she prayed
long and fervently at the famous shrine for
the recovery of her mother, and, as she now
believes. her prayers were successful.
1T was at Villebonne, the Mackay cha.
teau, ten leagues out of Paris, that the Co
lonna courtship began. 1 was an interested
observer of its inception. The Prince had
met Miss Mackay-as her stepfather wished
her to be called, for he loved her as much
| as If she had been his own daughter-ir
| Paris, and he came often to Villebonne &c
see her. l always considered it a low
match pure and simple The Princess has
and beloved by all who know her. She i.
a model mother, devoted daughter and 6
Christian woman. The latest charge made
against her. that she cared too much fol
society to suit her husband, is a piece will
the rest of them. She never cared much
for society, though frequently present a
the brilliant functions given by her mother
in London. William Mackay, her brother
is devotedly attached to her, and his con
tinued presence in Paris in late years i:
evidently attributable to this situation o.
affairs. .te-
Il have been intimately acquainted Will
many of our people who nave contracted
foreign marriages. In some cases they
have been happy and successful, but a gTea'
majority have resulted in misery anC
Indebtedness. There is always a gang Of
impecunious and disreputable adventurer.
figuring under an assumed title, and il
many cases unworthy scions Of great house.
are also on the lookout for American heir
esses. | think in my time / have seen &
score of our loveliest girls sacrificed on the
altar of St. Georges, Hanover square,
When asked specifically about the story
telegraphed from San Francisco that the
| Colonna misunderstanding was due to ''to(
| much mother-in-law" and that the mas
terful spirit" of Mrs. Mackay may have lee
her TO assume too much authority in tn,
| Colonna household. Colonel Ochiltree saiC
that the statements We're utterly unfounded
as all who knew Mrs. Mackay must b.
/ aware.