The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-04-19
EARL COMMITS BIGAMY
JOHN FRANCIS STANLEY RUSSELL
MARRIEs MOLLIE COOKE.
Wedding Takes Place I'm Nevada-The
EarPs Lawful Wife, the Countess
Russell, a London Singer.

RENO, New, April ia marriage
license was issued to John Francis STAN
ley Russell and Mollie Cooke in this city.
Saturday April IA. They stopped at the
Riverside Hotel Saturday night and were
married on Sunday by District Judge Ben
jamin Curler. They left Sunday night for
the East, their destination being unknown.
Mollie Cookies son, about twenty-three years
of age was with the couple. They came
to Reno from Glenbrook, New, a small
summer resort on the shores OF Lake
Tahoe.
Mollie Cook the bride, appeared TO be
woman of forty and did not seem pre-
possessing in appearance. When the couple
procured the marriage license she gave
her age as lover eighteen" The marriage
ceremony was witnessed by A. Holmes and
Miss Fernandes.
LONDON, April 1s.-The cabled an
nouncement in the marriage columns Of the
Times this morning of the wedding of Earl
Russell and Mollie Cooke. at Reno. New,
April Is. has created a sensation here, as
it appears that Earl Russell, according to
the English law, is still legally married
to the Countess Russell, who is now per-
Star thinks the announcement. which also
appeared in this mornings Standard. may
be a hoax, for, 1t says, by marrying an
other woman the head Of the noble house
would render himself liable to imprison-
ment for bgamy on his return to England.
The marital trouble of the Russells COM
menced in the courts in 1891, when the
countess, who is a daughter OF the we'll
known Lady Scott, applied for a separa-
ton from her husband on the ground OF
cruelty, which was refused four years later.
the same petition resulted in the defendant
nobleman being granted judicial separa-
ton. But further litigation and cross-pe-
titions followed. The litigation was ended
by the Court of Appeals refusing relief TO
both parties. so they are still legally mar
ried The Westminster Gazette suggests
Earl Russell may secretly have secured al
American divorce. But 1t Is pointed out
that this would not save him from the
penalties of the English courts.
When Countess Russell was interviewed
most Frustrated. She was accompanied by
her mother. All the countess knew OF the
affair was the announcement in the papers.
one Sdlu. w ncn Il saw the news the dow
was terrible. IT seems such a dreadful adj
dition TO all my troubles. It is terrible
If 1t Is true that man can go 20 another
country and get married after the courts
of this country have decided against him.
1t Is quite untrue to say rtarl Russell OBJ
tanned a judicial separation. When the
House OF Lords heard the case IL was de-
cided against him."
Lady Scott said she and her daughter knew
the Earl had been In American about a
year, but they had heard nothing from
him. She added: Lady Russell has
placed the matter I'm the hands OF her
solicitor and Is not at all inclined 10 re-
sign herself 10 the acceptance Of her noble
husbands family motto. which is What
will be, will be-. "
A close friend Of Lord Russell. In con-
firming the announcement OF the Earl's
marriage. adds: For some time Lord Rus
sell felt that his years OF suffering and
annoyance had released him from all OBJ
legations. moral and otherwise. connected
with his first marriage. and therefore, that
he was free TO do as he desired. / don't
believe the question OF bigamy will be
raised. but at any rate Lord Russell and
his Irish bride are returning 10 England
next month"