The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-06-08
THEIR TASTES UNcONGENIAL
Bishop, Who Is ChanesIIM Of American
University, Wrapped up Ia Work.
COMPELLED TO Be AWAY FROM HOME
frequently Ms Trips Arc Of SsvsnI wssks oura-
tIOn-Hs Deeds BACK 10 Mn. Hursi's Trustees
Their Handsome Washington Residence.

Washington, June s.-Regret is ex-
pressed in church and university cir
cles that the domestic infelicities of
Bishop and Mrs. John f. Hurst should
have become public.
Bishop Hurst is one Of the most
prominent leaders in the Methodist
Episcopal church, a man Of scholarly
attainments and the chancellor of the
American university the big Methodist
Episcopal institution In Washington.
He is fifty-six years old.
Mrs. Hurst, who is the bishops Sec
ond wife, is young and handsome and
fond Of society. She has two little
daughters and is devoted to them.
Mrs. Hurst is the daughter Of the
late Francis III. Root. of Buffalo, who
made a big fortune In manufacturing
stoves and speculating in real estate.
Mr. Root was prominent Methodist
and wished the family name TO be as
sociated with that OF a high leader In
the church. Ii was in compliance with
his wish, il is said. that his daughter
married Bishop Hurst, and the marri-
age took place at her fathers death
a great fortune, her income being es-
timated at $4,000 annually.
Friends OF the Hursts have known Tor
some time that while the marriage had
proved a disappointment on both sides,
not the slightest bitterness existed be-
tween the couple. II was their earnest
wish that some satisfactory means
should be found by which the bishop
should not be hampered in his great
work and at the same time Mrs. Hurst
should be relieved OF the burden and
uncongenial work OF life not agree
able to her tastes.
A few days ago. in accordance with
the wishes OF Mrs. Hurst. the bishop
invited her brother. Mr.. Root OF Buff
falo TO consult with him regarding a
division of property and terms OF sepa-
ration agreeable TO both. This bishop
drew up a deed conveying back To the
trustees of Mrs. Hurst the magnificent
home purchased and furnished by her
mother shortly before the marriage.
The deed has been filed for record.
This property comprises two large
lots at the corner Of Seventeenth street
and Massachusetts avenue, and mag
nifcent brick mansion thereon. Attor-
ney General Grigg's home Is next door.
and the Cages live but a few steps be-
yond.
Bishop Hurst is fond OF the society Of
learned professors and students OF sci
ence or OF Biblical lore. His duties as
chancellor OF the American university
caused him TO spend much Of his time
I'm travel. Often he would be away
from home for weeks. This, of course,
was not the life for a girlish matron.
The society and conversation Of minis
ters. doctors of divinity and scholars
is well enough, but when the long talks
took always the same trend. the future
Of one institution. il doubtless became
monotonous to Mrs. Hurst.
Mrs. Hurst's mother. Mrs. Root. left
100000 TO be used in the endowment Of
the American university. and also be-
queathed $4,000 to Bishop Hurst per-
sonally in token OF her esteem for him.
Bishop Hurst through his connection
with the American university has be-
come known throughout the country.
While his administration of affairs has
been severely criticised by a certain
faction in the Methodist church, he still
has a powerful backing. IL is feared
by prominent Methodists here that the
publication Of the bishops domestic in
felicities Will hamper seriously this
work
Mrs. Hurst Is at present residing in
Paris. Bishop Hurst lived i'm his Mas
sachusetts avenue home until Satur-
dav. when he went to New York.
All questions relating TO the case
were referred today To A. y. Brown.
counsellor for the American university.
who VIII represent the bishop i'm the
separation proceedings which are now
pending.