The sun., 1905-09-04
J. B. DUKES SUIT A SURPRISE.
NO PREVIOUS HINT OF A DISA-
GREEMENT WITH WIFE.
Construction OF Splendid Country Seat
At Somerv1lle stu in Progress-R. ".
Lindabury Files Papers In Action
for DivOrce-Shock to Mrs. Duke.

COnStruCdOQ or SplenOl0 country ScAt
At somerv1lle stu in Prosress-R. v.
Lindabury Files Papers In Action
for Divorce-Shock to Mrs. Duke.
SoMEev1LIs, N. j.; Sept. s.-The an
nouncement that James B. Duke has made
an application in the Court Of Chancery at
Trenton for divorce from bis bride Of nine
months has caused an even greater sensa-
ton among his friends here than did the
news Of his maria &c last February to Mrs.
Lillian MoCredy Of New York. They had
not the slightest hint Of any domestic in
felicity between the pair up to the time
they left their summer home here SIX weeks
ago.
It was understood at the time OF the
departure Of Mr.. and Mrs. Duke that they
we're about to take trip to Europe. but
later came the report that Mr.. Duke had
been suddenly called abroad on important
business and was obliged to leave Mrs'
Duke behind, as she was unable to get ready
to 20 with him on short notice. Mrs. Duke
was not seen here during his absence
abroad, but spent her time II and about
New York.
Mr.. Duke returned here last week. He
was not accompanied by his wife, but moth
ing was thought Of this at the time as 1t was
customary for Mrs. Duke to remain behind
at their New York house. Shortly after his
arrival Mr.. Duke was taken in his auto
mobile to the country home Of his lawyer
Richard V. Lindabury at Bernardsville.
Two days later Mr.. Lindabury filed Mr..
Dukes application for divorce In the Chan
oery Court, Trenton. Mrs. Duke was
served with the papers yesterday. 1t Is
said she was greatly shocked. as she had no
intimation Of her husbands intentions.
The Dukes spent the summer months on
their large estate on the Rartan River and
entertained extensively. Shortly after his
marriage Mr.. Duke, who had previously
manifested an aversion to automobiles,
purchased three imported machines at tho
cost Of 81, 900. and these were kept busy
during the summer months in carrying the
many visitors at the Duke estate about the
country. Many Of these visitors were
known to be the relatives and friends OF Mrs.
Duke.
The news OF the divorce proceeding
comes as a still greater surprise, in view OF
the fact that even yet the work Of preparing
a site for a million dollar mansion, which
Mr.. Duke intended for his bride. is being
carried out on his two thousand acre estate.
Mr.. Duke started the work Of excavating a
great lake and Of preparing a site for the
residence Just before his departure for
Europe. The contracts for the work are
said to aggregate Q 81 900 900.
Mr.. Duke who maintained an elaborate
bachelor quarters on his estate here Tor ten
years before his marriage, lived very
quiet life and had little to do with the social
life Of the community. He broke this
reserve on the day Of his. marriage by send
ing his wedding announcement to many
people Of the town. Mrs. Duke was we'll
received here and made q favorable i'm
preston.
It is now reported that Mr.. Duke became
suspicious Of his wife early last summer,
and that his trip to Europe alone was under
taken in order to trap her, and that he en-
ployed two detectives to shadow her dur
ing his absence. 1t Is asserted that the
evidence gathered by the detectives during
his absence led Mr.. Duke to lay plans for
a separation a few hours after he landed
in New York.
Frank T. Huntoop, whose name Is men
toned in connection with the case, was not
a guest at the Duke place this summer.
He is not known here.
little information could be obtained
tonight as to Mr. Dukes whereabouts.
It was stated positively, that he was, not
at his country home and the people there
said they believed he was in New York.
R.v. Lindabury, attorney for Mr.. Duke,
said last night that the divorce action had
been begun on statutory grounds At the
residence Of Mrs. Duke, IL West Sixty
eighth street, it was said yesterday that
she had been out OF town for several days
and that her present whereabouts was un-