The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-12-08
Brought Because He Wished 70
Improve His Property.
WIFE WOULD NOTGIvE CONSENT
When DNurs Papers Were Served She
Agreed TO Sign Mortgages Have Been
Separated ThIru-IhTsa Years.

Bridacport, Conn, Dec. S.-With Peter
LorilIard Ronalds on the ocean returning
To his winter home in Monte Carlo, his
petition for divorce from his wife, Mrs
Mary Frances Ronalds. who is an init
matr friend OF the Princess OF Wales
WAS Withdrawn in the superior court here
Thursday.
And with the withdrawal cores the real
reason for Mr. Ronalds applying To the
courts Ia free him from tile wife from
whom he has been separated for thirty
three years. making II one OF the most
remarkable applications for divorce on
record.
IL was for no sentimental reason that
the well known man OF seventy-four
years sought 10 sever the bond which
tied him 10 the woman who is only hve
years his junior II was matter Of dol
lars and cents.
cousin OF Pierre Lorillard, Mr..
Ronalds inherited much property I'm New
York city These holdings were increased
materially by requests from his aunt.
Miss Catherine Wolfe.
For some time Mr.. Ronads has desired
to improve some of the property, which
is In broadway. and Ia Mercer and Spring
streets. TO do this. of course. II was nee
essary TO obtain the consent OF his wife.
DIVORCE THE ONLY COURSE.
There was considerable correspondence
between husband and wife on the sub
ject. and, much 10 Mr.. Ronalds surprise
and dismay, Mrs. Ronalds, for some rea-
son. refused TO give the needed consent.
So his hands were tied, as his own pri-
vate income would not allow him to go
ahead with the improvements. But he
had his mind set on them, and he was
not 10 be baked He decided that NJ his
wife would not agree ne must place HIM
self In a position where her objections
would have no weight.
To divorce her was the only course
open 10 him, and. as the Connecticut law
holds desertion sufficient cause for an
absolute divorce, he filed his petition In
the superior court here in March last.
The papers were served on Mrs Rom
aids In her home. No. Csdogan place.
London, soon afterward. and she was the
most surprised woman In all England
She at once reopened the correspond
ence and about week ago her husband
the mortgage deeds by which he pro-
posed to obtain enough cash to 60 ahead
with his intended improvements.
Mr. Ronalds at once informed his law
yer here. w. H. Kelsey. and directed him
10 Withdraw the petition for divorce. Mr..
Ronalds sailed for Europe Wednesday !.
Mr. Kelsey Went into court and there
will be NO divorce. hat there IL no idea
there Will be any reconciliation. after the
~siransement lasting man. years
FRIEND OF PRINCESS o. WALES.
Mrs Ronaidx MAS Miss Mary Frances
carter. rf Boston, noted for her beauty
and her exquisite voice. She was OF an
excellent family, related 10 New Workers
of prominence. She was married on Nov
embcr g. 1889 10 Mr. Ronalds, and they
lived together eight years, during which
time four children were born 10 them.
They were travelling abroad i'm 1867 when
they finally decided they were uncongen-
ial.
Mr.. Ronalds returned to America, while
his wife made an extended trip through
Algiers. Upon her return she made her
home IN London. where she soon hecams
prominent Ia court circles. She was MOI
only a leader in the Prince of Wales set
hi she was the warm friend OF The Prin
cess OF Males.
1T Is well remembered that Mrs. Ron
HfJts rs u7rc OF tffe-ferr- persons not mem
bers of the royal family who are priv
legged 10 cali informally upon the Princess
OF Wales.
She took pretty little house At No.
(adogan place. IA London. where sh'
modestiy returned the many entertain
merits given In her honor by series %
SUNDAY evening musicales az which on'
met the ''smartest people in Englan,
and listened To the greatest artists.Whei
Lady Randolph Churchill. Mrs. Ronald
and Mrs. Blow. all Americans, were rails
ing the fund which bought and equipped
the hospital ship Maine for the use o
the British I'm the Boer war they had th
honor OF being especially received an'
entertained by the Queen.
GAME HERE TO PRESS HIS SUIT
After the separation MIR Ronalds i've
for time in i;artow on the sound. bl
the damp air being uncongenial he van
10 csnrecticut and there. in Newtow1
which u some uiiies lf"ih ihls tllNs W
bullt q stone castlc On one OF The highcs
hills. N is known as Ronalds Csstle, th
height n called ionalas' Peak The plsc
WAS destroyed by fre ten years a.,
but was rebuilt
But Mr.. Ronahls lived there only IN IN
surnnscr seldom entertaining and bein
almost recluse. lie had an estate 1
Monte Carlo. and thithcr he went ever
winter. He was there when he Instruct
ed Mr.. Kelsey 10 file his petition for q
vorce. hut ne came 20 this country
June. 10 press his suit. as he said. The
he stayed az the Manhattan Hotel.
New York city.
lie lived some days ago with his soi
Peter Lorillard Ronalds, Jr., who i've
nj No. fs East Thirty-eishth stree
Another son. -Reginald. who lives at NJ
fae Madison avenue. went TO Cuba Wit
the Rough Riders. and distinguished hin
self by his bravery. Their sister. Mr.
Richie, lives In London.