The islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1891-1899, 1894-09-06
PLENTY OF SCANDAL.
Vanderbilt's Millions Not All
His Wife Wanted.
HAVE NOT LIVED HARMONIOUSLY

1t IL Said That the Former Southern
Beauty Has Begun an Action for Dr.
vorce From william X. Vanderbilt
His Gift to Nellie Neustretter.
New YORK, September 1.-The state
ment in morning paper that Mrs. w.
K. Vanderbilt was about to begin separa-
ton proceedings has not, it is alleged,
created surprise in circles where the re-
lations of the pair have been known.
That they have not lived harmoniously
for the past two years has been the Cos
sip of fashionable circles for some time.
The crisis in their affairs, according to
the Commercial Advertiser of to-day,
was reached Immediately after the rum
ming of the Grand Prix de Paris June II
of this year. The paper further says:
"Mr. Vanderbilt won 10000 francs on
the race, and almost Immediately after
receiving his winnings he was introduced
to woman we'll known for her beauty
and numerous following among the lights
in swelldom. This person was Nellie
Neustretter. She fascinated the million
aire. and as an evidence of his appreci-
alton of her company he gave her the
10000 francs SO openly that several
friends saw the unusual occurrence and
demonstrated with him. The story of
how he fitted up a magnificent establish
ment for her in Paris and subsequently
gave her a residence at Deanville, with
servants and every luxury she desired,
is true. It shocked and surprised the
many residents of Paris, but Mr.. Van
derbilt was SO open in his attention as
to puzzle everybody. One of the most
startling things he did was to allow the
servants of Nellie Neustretter to wear
the same livery as worn by Mrs. Van
derbilt's servants. This was commented
upon by those who saw her and her
equipage in Paris and Deanville."
The Vanderbilts, according to an after
noon paper. have lived apart since early
last spring. Mrs. Vanderbilt has passed
the summer in England at an estate on
been rented to her, while Mr.. Wander
bilt has passed his time in Paris. 1t is
alleged that when some time ago tenta-
tive agreement of separation was reached
Mr.. Vanderbilt agreed to settle upon his
wife $10,000,000.
When the news of the gift of 10000
francs to Nellie Neustretter reached Mrs.
Vanderbilt she communicated with her
friends in America, and set about to pro-
cure a divorce. Cornelius Vanderbilt
went over to Paris hastily to patch up
matters, and the story is that he met
w. K, his brother, with whom he has
influence, and hearing his story, secured
h. ~ 70 10 ha do
tails of his differences with his wife pub
lie. Cornelius also saw Mrs. Vanderbilt,
and heard her story. He made every eff
fort to bring about reconciliation, but
failed, except the stopping of divorce
proceedings. 1t was at this time that
Mrs. Vanderbilt began to suffer from
nervous prostration. During her illness
it is understood she changed her mind
about the courts, and was willing to do
anything to avoid the publicity that
must follow a suit for divorce. Colonel
and Mrs. William Jay, both friends of
Mr.. and Mrs. w. K. Vanderbilt, then
went over, and they are now trying to
effect reconciliation and save the pub
hcity of scandal, but are not meeting
with exceptional success. Mrs. Wander
bilt has made propositions to her hus-
band to provide her and her children
with an income and the use of their
town house at Fifth avenue and Forty
second street and the Islip house. The
marble mansion at Newport is hers and
in her name. That William K. Wander
bilt gave her outright. 1t is the impress
sion abroad that Mrs. Vanderbilt will
not seek a divorce. Cornelius Wander
bilt has, it is said, a promise from w. K.
that he will not attempt proceedings of
that nature in his own behalf.
The Paris correspondent of morning
paper says:
"Nellie Neustretter is one of the most
notorious women of the upper class of
her kind in Paris. She is said to be one
of the handsomest women in Paris, and
has been for some time one of the gay
est. Who introduced her to Vanderbilt
/ do not exactly know. have heard,
but that does not matter. There has for
several years been more or less talk in
society here and at Newport concerning
both Mrs. and Mr.. Vanderbilt. He has
been fond of yachting and pleasure gen.
orally, and naturally would excite COM
ment on account of his great wealth and
habit of travelling from place to place,
sometimes with and often without Mrs.
Vanderbilt. Mrs. Vanderbilt is fond of
society, and is greatly admired by women
as we'll as men. She found pleasure in
entertaining and at times in travel. Cos
sip did not amount to anything, how
ever, until two years ago, when it was
reported at Newport that Mr.. Wander
bilt had decided to leave America and
reside abroad away from Mrs. Wander
bilt. AT that time friend of Mr.. Van
derbiit in explaining his determination
said Mrs. Vanderbilt was too exacting,
and that she demanded too much of
him and did not care to create q scandal
If they could not agree. How the matter
was patched up cannot say. Colonel
William Jay and Mrs. Jay are depended
upon by the Vanderbilt family to make
amicable arrangements. The intimate
friends of the Vanderbilts are looking
for successful results from the good of
fees of the Jays. / think eventually
they will be brought to view the matter
in the proper light and agree to rec
onciliation. Of course, it may be some
time before this end is reached, but /
think both even now wish they had es-
capped the publicity earned thus far"
Bliss Did 1t Twice.
SPRINGFIELD, Mass, September L.
The worlds record for mile with flying
start and paced. held by Tyler, was given
close call by J. P. Bliss in the Hamp-