Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1904-11-16
Action of Marquise Monsters
Renouncing Catholicism Puz-
zles Church Authorities
THE CAREER OF MISS CALDWELL
She Came Into An immense Fortune
When Young Girl and Her Life
Has Been More or Less One of Ec-
centricities-Is Now In III Health
Member of Kentucky Family.

Washington, Nov. 16.-Prominent
members Of the Roman Catholic clergy
in Washington expressed their sur
prise at the announcement from Rome
that the marquise des Monsters, for
merly Miss M. G. Caldwell, and the
founder of the Catholic university here
had renowned the Catholic faith. In
fact, they We're loath to believe she
had formed such a determination.
At the university itself the statement
would not be accepted as true, but In
order to satisfy himself on the subject
Rector O'Connell last night cabled
Rome for information.
Bishop Spalding of Peoria is in the
city to attend a meeting OF the trus-
tees of the university. When asked If
he could assign any reason for the
answered that he could not; that he
knew her only as good Roman Catho-
lie, and until the announcement was
made had given no thought otherwise.
ut Is a mystery to me-" he said.
One official of the Roman Catholic
church attributed as q possible cause,
taking the story to be correct, the no.
toriety which the university gained by
the failure of Thomas e. Waggaman,
its treasurer, by which the university
suffered considerable financial loss.
Another church official said that the
marquise for several years had been in
poor health.
Member of Kentucky Family.
Mary Gwendolin Caldwell is a Ken
lucky beauty and heiress her mother
being one of the famous Breckenridge
family of the blue grass state. When
a little girl she inherited from her
father a fortune of 100000 and at
her mothers death inherited 100000
more. Part of the Caldwell fortune was
made in Chicago.
After graduating from convent she
and her sister, the present Baroness
Won Zeedwitz, went abroad to travel
with their aunt.
On their return to America, Gwen
dolin went to Louisville, KY, rented
an entire floor of the Gait house, and
prepared to entertain in manner new
to the people of that place. Her first
public appearance was at the open
ing night of Mary Anderson. After the
play she entertained half of Louisville
in her apartments. The newspapers
the next morning printed columns OF
not too friendly comment on the APP
pearance Of the heiress and especially
TT low
cut and Miss Caldwell objected to the
manner in which it was described. She
returned to New York the next day.
Soon after reaching her majority,
Miss Caldwell, thru her guardian,
Bishop Spalding, of Peoria, announced
to the Catholic hierarchy her inten-
ton Of endowing the Catholic univer-
sity. and council was held to con-
slider her offer.
Such project long had been con-
sidered, but sufficient funds had never
been provided. Miss Caldwell donated
the eighty-eight acres on the edge Of
Wa shington, erected three of the
largest buildings, including Caldwell
hail. which is the largest Of the pres
emit group. and provided for the main
tenance Of the university for three
wears. Her sister, the Baroness Won
Zeedwitz, gave Caldwell chapel to the
university.
For this service Pope Leo XIII, be-
slowed upon Gwendolin Caldwell
diamond studded medal, which ne had
struck especially for her, and also con-
ferred the decoration Of the order OF
the Rose. which distinction no other
woman has ever held.
Breaks Engagement to Murat.
The young heiress went to Italy In
1887. and there met Prince Murat,
who was thirty-three years the senior
Of Miss Caldwell, and deeply In debt.
He was the grandson of Murat, king
Of Nanles. and Of Caroline, Sister Of
Napoleon /.
After their engagement was an
nounced preparations for regal we'd
ding were made, trousseau ut Tor a
oueen secured, and the day for the
ceremony set.
The day before the marriage the
prince and his legal representative and
Miss Caldwell and her attorneys met
to arrange the ante-nuptial contract.
The prince insisted upon the control
of the fortune. Miss Caldwell refused
this. Then he offered to take half OF
it. This the American girl refused
saying that she had intended settling
SIS, 900 year upon her husband. The
prince wanted more. Miss Caldwell at
once broke the engagement and re-
turned to America.
Upon her return to the United States
Miss Caldwell is said to have made
her will making the Catholic univer-
sity her chief beneficiary.
Marries Marquis.
Miss Caldwell in 1892 announced her
engagement to the Marquis de Mon
striers- Merinville. 1t was said to be
love match. She was married on Oc-
tober 10 of that year, the ceremony
being performed by Bishop spalding.
After her marriage the marquise went
ia Paris to live and her entertainments
were notable there. She spent much
Of her time in charitable laoors.
Her health began to fail two years
400 Since then she has led the life
of a recluse.
lows illinois League.
Clinton, Nov. 14.-An Iowa and I'M
y, C