New-York tribune., 1900-04-05
WIFE SUES w. E. D. STOK ES.
BRINGS PROCEEDINGS FOR ABSOLUTE
DIVORCE on STATUTORY GROUNDS.

Mrs. William f. D. Stokes has brought suit
in the Supreme Court before Justice Fitzgerald
for an absolute divorce from her husband. on
statutory grounds The announcement yester-
day was not complete surprise to the friends
OF Mr. and Mrs. Stokes. by reason OF the fact
that after they went abroad last summer they
We're reported to have had quarrel in Paris
Mr. Stokes returned alone from Europe. and
since then, it is said. the couple have lived
apart. Mutual friends tried TO patch up peace
between them, but it is said Mrs. Stokes was
resolutely opposed to any reconciliation. Friends
Of Mrs. Stokes. who is a Roman Catholic and
a personal friend of Archbishop Corrigan, say
that she would not have resorted to the courts
for a separation without provocation. 1t is not
known whether any special dispersation has
been secured to enable her to prosecute the di-
vorce proceedings
After returning from abroad last year Mrs
Stokes went to Westbury and then to Qucgue,
while Mr. Stokes went to the Colonial Club. Mrs.
S;okes's name~was brought prominently to the
notice of the public st. Patrick's Day Of last
year. when she nearly lost her life in the Wind
Hotel fire. She is said to be living at
the Plaza Hotel with her little boy
Justice Fitzgerald late on Tuesday afternoon
appointed ex-Justce William n. Cohen referee
to hear the testimony and return report to the
Stokes, and the same maneuvres will be
ployed to keep the court proceedings secret as
in recent divorce proceeding involving people
we'll known in New York society Mrs. Stokes's
lawyers Sheriff. & Lockwood, of No 30
Broad-st.. while Mr.. Stokes has engaged Henry
r. Staper
Justice Fitzgerads order appointing ex-Justice
Cohen to hear and determine and report the evil
dence in the action granted on the aff1-
oIo,
of the firm of Sheriff. G. Lockwood. and the
referee is to report to the Court with all con-
venient speed" This affidavit also fled
William S. Woodruff. being duly sworn, de-
poses and says:
% That he is the managing clerk in the office
of Sheriff. & Lockwood, attorneys for the plain
tiff herein; (2) That this action for divorce is
brought on account of the adultery Of the de-
fendant; (3) That the summons and complaint
We're duly personally served on the defendant
within this State the 18th day of March
1900, appears by the affidavit of James d.
ConkIin; (4) That issue was Joined herein on the
oath day of March, 1900 by the service Of the
defendants answer 90 That no other previous
application for a reference in this cause has been
made to any court or judge, and that application
for reference is made upon the annexed stipu-
lations made by and between the attorneys for
the, parties herein, dated the I'd day OF April
1900.
The appointment of a referee is the first step
in an action for divorce when the parties desire
secret. Doubtless the suit will be heard behind
closed doors in the referees office, and the pa
pers will be sealed by order of the court.
The papers in the action served on Mr.
Stokes on March 13 last. and he put in an
answer through his attorney, Mr.. Stapler, on
March "a When Mr.. Stapler seen last
night at his home in West Seventy-seventh-st st.
he refused to discuss the case. 1t is understood
by Mr.. Stokes's friends that he has put in a
general denial of the charges made against him.
He could be seen last evening. Mr.. Stokes
is said to be about forty-two years old, while
his wife is much younger
William f. D. Stokes is a of the late James
Stokes from whom he inherited fortune. which
has been largely increased through successful
investments in real estate in the upper West
Side section of the city. Mr.. Stokes Is gradu-
ate of Yale University, and is great lover of
horses He is one of the Sons of the Revolution.
and member of the Union League. St Nicho-
las. Manhattan Country, Seawanhaka- Corinth-
ian Yacht Lawyers. Down Town, New York
Yacht, Meadow Brook Hunt and Colonial clubs.
He is brother Of Anson Philips Stokes, James
Stokes and Thomas Stokes. Mr.. Stokes married
Miss Rita Hernandez de Alba dAcosta. the
eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ricardo
d'Acosta. in January, 1899. Mr.. D'Acosta is
a commission merchant of this city The
wedding of the notable affairs Of
that winter 1t took place at the home
of Mr.. and Mrs. Acosta. No. 4S West
Forty-seventh-st. Archbishop Corrigan, assisted
by the Rev. NJ. ]. Lavelle. the prO-rector OF the
Cathedral and the Rev. Henry T. Newey. per
formed the ceremony. The bride was attended
by maid of honor. Miss Ada d'Acosta her
sister, and four bridesmaids Lillian NJ.
Stokes now Mrs Robert Mem Gillespie. and
Miss Elizabeth Stokes, Mrs Jules j.
Vatable nieces of Mr.. Stokes; Miss Estelle Little
and Miss Josephine Mccall now Mrs. Darwin
P Kingsley Mr.. StOkess best man was Colonel
Charles Page Bryan. of Chicago. The ushers
General James NJ. Varnum, Frank L. Hall,
Jose de Rivas and Graham Stokes, a nephew
of Mr.. Stokes. A large reception followed the
ceremony.
and Mrs Stokes made their home at No. 262
West Seventy -second-st., where they lived for
several years. They entertained very quietly.
They made their home successfully at the Wal
dorf and at Sherry's. Mr.. and Mrs Stokes have
passed considerable of their time in Kentucky,
where Mr. Stokes large stock farm. They
spent one summer at Newport, where they occu-
pied the James Gordon Bennett villa. in Bellevue
ave. Last year they had box at the opera where
Mrs Stokes frequently during the
season. They went abroad early last spring, and
when Mr. Stokes returned without his wife there
were rumors of a separation. Mrs Stokes is a
very beautiful of the Spanish type, with
rich colorng Her portrait painted last
winter by Carolus Duran. Mrs. Stokes received
her education under direction Of Archbishop
Corrgan.