The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1894-08-30
VANDERBILT SCANDAL.
Mrs. W. K. Vanderbilt Seeking
Legal Separation.
A PARTISAN BEAUTY THE CAUSE.

Lavishiy aud Set His Favorits Up in o
Prinoely Estabiishmsnt-Has Been Sep
aratsd from His wife since Last Spring.
NEw YORK, Aug. 30-The published
statement that Mrs. w. X. Vanderbilt is
about to begin separation or divorce pro-
ceedings has not, it is alleged, created
surprise in circles where the relations of
the pair have been known. That they
have not lived harmoniously the last two
years has been the gossip of fashionable
circles for some time. The crisis in their
affairs, according to The Commercial Ad-
vertiser, was reached Immediately after
the running of the Grand Prix de Paris,
on June II last.
"Mr. Vanderbilt" says the same author
ity, ''won 10000 francs on the race, and
almost Immediately after receiving his
winnings was introduced to woman well
known for her beauty and numerous fol-
lowing among the lights in .swelldom.
This person was Nellie Neustretter. She
fascinated the millionaire, and as an evil
dence of his appreciation of her company
he presented her with the 10000 francs, so
openly that several friends saw the un-
USUAL occurrence anu TemOUStraU6u WlCn
him.
'The story OF how he fitted up mag
nificent establishment for her in Paris,
and subsequently gave her residence at
Beanville, with servants and every lux
ury she desired, is true. 1t shocked and
surprised the American residents of
Paris, but Mr.. Vanderbilt was so open in
his attention Us to puzzle everybody. One
of the most surprising things he did was
to allow the servants of Nellie Neustret-
ter TO wear the same livery as that worn
by Mrs. Vanderbilts servants.'
When this news reached Mrs Wander
bilt She Immediately communicated with
her friends in America and set about to
procure divorce. Mr.. Cornelius Van
derbilt went over to Paris hastily to patch
up matters. and the story is that he met
William X, his brother, with whom he
has great influence, and hearing his story
secured from him n promise not to make
the details of his differences with his wife
public.
Mr. Cornelius Vanderbilt also saw Mrs.
w. X. Vanderbilt aud heard her story.
He made every effort to bring about re.
Cancellation, but failed in everything ex-
cept tho stopping Of divorce proceedings.
1t was Mt this time that Mrs. W. X. Van
derbilt began to suffer from nervous pros
tration. During her illness it is generally
understood that she changed her mind
about going to the courts, and was will
ing to do anything to avoid the publicity
that must follow a suit for divorce,
Colonel and Mrs. Jay, both friends of
Mr.. and Mrs. w. X. Nanderbilt$ then
went over, and they are even now trying
to effect Il reconciliation and save the
publicity of a scandal, but are not meet
ing with exceptional success.
II is the general impression on this side
of the watcf that Mrs. Vanderbilt will not
seek divorce, and it is said on excellent
authority that Mr.. Cornelius Vanderbilt
has promise from William X. that he
will not attempt a proceeding of that
nature on his own behalf.
The Vanderbilts according to another
afternoon paper, have lived apart since
early last spring. Mrs. Vanderbilt has
spent the summer in England at an ex-
tensive estate on the Thames near Lon
don, which had been rented for her,
while Mr.. Vanderbilt has spent his
time in Paris. 1t is alleged that when
some time ago tentative agreement of
separation was reached Mr.. Vanderbilt
agreed to settle on his wife 10000 ,O00
Mrs. Vanderbilt was formerly n Miss
Smith, of Mobile. Her family was not
wealthy, MS the Vanderbilts would CON
slider wealth. but what the Smiths of
Mobile lacked in wealth they made up in
aristnrrutic linpnUa