New-York tribune., 1895-02-16
AFFAIRS IN BROOHLYN
MAJOR LANGLEY CAUSES SURPRISE.
AFTER HE AND HIS WIFE HAD AGREED ~
SEPARATION HE WENT TO NORTH DAKOTA
cEo.r-RED 4 DIVORCE.


SEPARATION. HE WENT TO NORTH DAKOTA
AND SECURED DIVORCE
Refusal bv Major William II. Langley. the we'll
known millionaire. TO pay fax on PERSONA prop
erty on the ground OF his being resident oi farEo'
~ D. led to the discovery in Brooklyn EeS'eI"a'
that he had secured a divorce from his wife Marie
DeIla Langley This in itself a great sur
prise but astonishment heightened when II
became known that he secured the divorce i'st
Juv and that the matter had remained a secret
ever since Mr. Langley. as far as is known not
telling even hls most intimate friends
Mr. Langley is said to be two or three times
millionaire He is the owner of valuable harbor-
front lands at Bay Ridge and IS the head OF the
firm Of William II. Langley Co. of NO. 70 worth
st. New York. He also owns large mil interests
in the South. As the owner of the Comet ne cut
a prominent figure In yachting circles and ne mas
owned several fast horses.
The following dispatch from North Dakota teiis
the Western end Of the story:
Fargo. ~ D. Feb 15.-Will!am II. Langley or
Brooklyn. n Y. came here In July lsg', ana ,h on
before and after the proceedings for divorce. lived a
Jolly life among the high rollers of the town he g0t
his residence here 10y the purchase of very-staple
from a man named Doyle. He ostensiby ran the
stable for his own proht ana inTuehnaiy % ',Ur yo
ceedings were brought up on July last, when the
decree was given He left the city some tne ago
and has not been seen al Els pidce ol puSiie7' ''
number of weeks.
Mrs Marie Belle Langley tried in January. 1885, TO
get a divorce from Mr.. Langley and the suit was
the talk OF both cities while 1t was In progress
Major Langley. then the staff Of Brigader-Iien-
eral James McI.eer. widely known as a mill
iOnaire cubman. He apparently believed IN get
ting out of life about all there was in II. on sep
tember 29 1881. he married the daughter OF u L.
Shepard Of Irvington- on the Hudson. She was ms
second wife and bore him three children. VINO are
at present about twelve. eleven and nine years oi
age In 1891 the household breakup occurred. ana
Mrs Langley took the children and went to her
fathers home. Mrs. Langley brought an action ior
divorce in August. 1892. and the case was hnaly
tried before Judge l-OudOn in the Circuit Court IN
Brooklyn. Mr. Langley was charged with mum
Der of violations OF the marriage vow at New-l ork
hotels between December. 1855. and the date OF the
action for divorce. Mrs. Langley was represented
By Judge Reynolds and the evidence was mainly
furnished by private detective hired by the wife.
The trial covered three days and the jury gave
Major Langley favorable verdict.
Mrs. Langley dd not let the matter rest. on
separation and named Miss Carrie Grohan. Mrs.
ents. The suits never came TO trial. a separation
agreed upon outside OF court Mrs. Langley
received custody Of the children and the husband
paid large sum OF money TO the wife. This seemed
to end the case, but apparently Mr. Langley wanted
TO be entirely free and went 70 North Dakota 70
get divorce. At present he IS living at the 81
James Hotel in this city. His Pierrepont-st man
sion in Brooklyn is unoccuped except by servants.