The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-07-11
Cardinals OlCtum More Eff0c-
tive Than Princes Wishes.
AMERICAN BEAUTY'S TROUBLES
Divorced From First Hushlni, New Eng.
lander, Catholic Church VIII Not Re.
cognlz, Secsns, a Civil CsTsmcny.

Rome. July IA great sensation has
been caused here by the action OF the
Vatican authorities toward the Princess
Joseph Rospigliosi. an American. Her hus-
band is the head OF an ancient family of
clerical nobility and his brother Prince
Camille Rospigliosi. is commandant OF
the Papai Noble Guard.
Prince Rospigliosi and Mrs. Marie Jen-
nings Reid Parkhurst of Washington. the
divorced wife OF Col. Frederick II. Park
hurst OF Bangor, Me, were married here
August 26. 1901 The ceremony was civil
hence was not recognized by the Vatican.
Princess Rospigliosi. who Is approaching
maternity. engaged an English Blue Sis
ter as a nurse and the latter took up her
duties But Cardinal Macchi. secretary TO
the grand chancellery II the orders. for
bade the sister TO fulfil. her duties. on the
ground that there had been no marriage
The Prince was furious and exerted all
his influence 10 overcome the scruples or
the church but without avail Eventually
he was obliged 10 send to England for a
nurse.
The incident is expected TO have i'm
portant developments.
AN AMERICAN BEAUTY.
Princess Rospigliosi is a niece of Gen
di Cesnola director OF the Metropolitan
Museum OF Art, daughter of the late y. c.
Reid OF Washington and a granada lighter
OF Samuel Chester Reid, who commanded
the American privateer brig General
Armstrong in the battle at Fayal, in the
war Of 1919. On her mothers side she is
descended from the Rowan family OF
Kentucky. her grandfather having been
minister TO Italy. and her great-grand-
father the famous Judge Rowan.
She is famous as a beauty-a statuesque
blonde. blue eyed and golden-haired-is
accomplished and stately.
About ten years ago she met In Wash
ington Col. Parkhurst-who is a member
OF the Maine legislature and OF Gov.
Hills stafY, with the rank OF colonel They
were married and lived happily for
time In Bangor They had two children.
Several years ago they became estrang-
ed, Col. Parkhurst left the city.
At Bar Harbor she met Prince Joseph.
who fell in love with her. and the two
went TO Rome.
when the news reached the United
States that Mrs. Parkhurst and Prince
Rospigliosi had been married IL was as
serted that the Vatican at first refused to
sanction the marriage because Mrs. Park
hurst was a divorced woman, but that as
the Prince declared she should be his wife,
with or without the consent OF the church
sanction was finally given.
NO DIVORCE AS TO CATHOLICS.
Princess Rospigliosi formerly Miss Ma
rie Jennings Reid OF Washington, ID. C.,
was educated at Georgetown convent. She
met Frederick H. Parkhurst while he was
a student at the Columbia University here
and they were married by the Rev. Placi-
dus j. Chappelle. then pastor OF St Mat
thew's church here, but now archbishop
OF New Orleans.
After her divorce. and while the Prince
Rospigliosi was counting her, Mrs. Park
hurst tried to prove irregularities In her
marriage with Mr.. Parkhurst The case
was investigated by the Apostolic delega-
ton here and the marriage was declared
regular. An appeal TO Rome failed to sus-
tain her contentious, although Prince
Rospigliosi. who was deeply infatuated.
lent the weight OF his influence His fam
ily In a powerful element OF the Italian
nobility adhering TO the Vatican.
Prince Rospigliosi and Mrs. Parkhurst
were finally married by civil ceremony.
The display OF Vatican displeasure. with
this couple has surprised many. Prince
Rospigliosi has been excommunicated and
deprived OF his offices at the Vatican
court where his wife is not recognized