New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-02-23
HOW THE SEARS FAMILY THOIBLE BEGAN

SURPRISE THAT THE DIVORCE PROCEEDINGS
WE'RE CARRIED Of SECRETLY
The trouble which caused Richard +. Sears 10
separate from his wife and aferward 20 obtain "A
divorce from her began in 1880. He was III In IN"
summer Of that year and was advised TO take a
sea voyage for his health AS one Of the leading I'M
porters OF and dealers in crude rubber he had large
interests in Brazil. and he decided 10 90 To Para
and take with him his wife and SON. three years
old. Mrs. Sears declined 10 accompany her husband
the voyage declaring that she Or 'aded being on
the water for long time. and Mr. Sears was
obliged leave her and his little son in the city.
The family had occupied expensive home IN
Fifty-eighth-st near Fifth-ave. and Mr.. Sears had
spent about 5000 annually in keeping the cstab-
shment. He and his wife had been married in 1873.
Mrs. Sears is a handsome woman. now nearly forty
years old and young looking for her age.
When MIR. Sears was in Brazil he received letter
from a friend. warning him that he would better
turn to the city at once II ne wished to save the
honor Of his wife and he lost no time in returning.
When he arrived in the city he learned that his
wife had been aiding ife In his absence. and
that John Hunter. ex-president OF the American
Jockey Club. had been one OF the principal compan-
ions OF Mrs Sears In her giidy life. separation
from his wife was arranged by Mr. Sears who
dreaded the scandal OF a divorce at that time. He
hired apartments for her In West Seycnty-cighth-
st and promised liberal sum for her support on
condition that she would abandon the companion
ship Of men with whom she hal associated ana
would live IN manner more becoming her position
Il wife and mother.
Mr.. Sears soon learned. however. that his wife
had not kept her part of the agreement and was
continuing her former ihe His worst fears were
verified by the reports OF detectives. who were ON
p.oy"d 10 watch movements. and last summer
he filed the petition for Il divorce. Wnen the Dc
cree was signed Mr. Sears was surf risel 10 learn
that the custody Of the child. Rchard Frank In
Sears had been awarded to MIS-. Scar. II ~ sad
tina, Mrs Sears had declared that her husband
was not the father ~ the child, and That she has
asserted that she mad previously obtained dvorce
in the West. on the ground OF desertion aid non
sipport and that NJ Sears VIII not Dr able 10 OBJ
tain me custody Of her II Is understood mat
she has been financially successful in the manage
rnpnt Of millinery shop which was started with
The aid OF men win whom she has associated
since The divorce suit was begun by Mr.. sears. one
reason assigned for the desire 70 have me dlVoTee
proceedings kept secret was thht puDIlc,iN might
iDiure the business IN which she IL Interestei
The me thods by which the testimony ana p.cad-
ngs IN the divorce suit were kept under me seal
of the Court have caused much surpilsc ana mncn
talk in the city. II has been reported mat an al,
dltionaI reason for secrecy MAS that me name oi
one of the Judges in the city had been associat 81
with that OF Mrs Sears in q manner 70 Gau:e puDlc
scandal In Gaze the testimony ana peaninss III the
suit should made piibIic.