New-York tribune., 1907-06-26
Fl. G. DRAYTON DIVORCED
Papers KEPT Il SECRET.
Decree Recalls Marital Troubles of
Father and Mother.

The announcement yesterday that Justice Tomp-
kins had handed down in tho Supreme Court in
White Plains interlocutory decree Of divorce TO
Mrs. Constance Knower Drayton against her hus-
band II. Coleman Drayton, of J. Coleman
Drayton and grandson of Mrs. William Astor.
caused little surprise For many months there had
been rumors that the young couple, who were mar
ried only a little more than two years ago, were
estranged. Neither OF them would talk, however,
and relatives pooh -poohed the idea of even sep
aration. So carefully had the action been carried
on that the fact that suit was proceeding had not
become public property
The mystery does end with the decision. for
Justice Tompkns ordered all the papers TO be
placed under seal SO the names of the correspond
Or correspondents cannot be learned. The di-
vorce OF young Drayton is not likely 10 be eX-
plotted so widely as were the tangled proceedings
between his father. J. Coleman DTayton, and his
mother, who was Miss Charlotte Augusta Astor.
some thirteen years ago.
Mrs. H. Coleman Drayton was Miss Constance
Knower. a daughter of the late Benjamin Knower
n wealthy merchant and a member Of the old
Knower family. The wedding in 1906, WAS a
brilliant affair and so many friends gathered to
speed the couple on their honeymoon that they
left the home OF tho brides mother, at No. East
nth street. by way of the roof
There some comment year or ago when
young Mrs. Drayton and her mother went to Eu-
rope. while Mr.. Drayton stayed here. He Joined
them, however. in six weeks, and on their return
the Draytons lived at the Hotel Renaissance. No.
5I2 Fifth avenue. Two months ago Mrs Drayton
left the hotel and went to live with her mother
Mr.. Drayton remained at the hotel Moreover il
was noted that Mrs. Knower purchased country
place in Saybrook. Conn. that while mother and
daughter were there young Drayton spent his
week ends other places and did not visit them
Mrs. Knowcr and her daughter came to New
York last Monday and installed themselves In the
18th street house They refused 10 tax of the
rUmors Of n separation, but IL now appears that
they had returned ~ sec their counsel IN regard
tho divorce Mrs. Drayton's lawyer was eX-
Assistant District Attorney George c. Andrews. ot
W,stchester County. Among the relatives Of Mrs.
prayton who diverted suspicion was her uncle.
William Hall Allen. who quoted in tho press
a saying he Old not know how such a rumor could
have started and that while his niece was high
spirited Young woman. ne thought II Impossible
that she should contemplate separation
A. Mr.. DraCtorH apartments in tho renaissance
# was learned las; night that Mr.. Drayton was
out His maH said Mr. Drayton sim IN town.
but did not know when he would he In Mrs.
Kuower and Mrs. Draytou were supposed to have
returned n S1ybrook-
A. the time 81 the divorce of the Young mans
father. J. Coleman Drayton. the lawyer. the press
phurous threats and much talk Of duellng. Mr.
Drayton had married Miss Charlotte Augusta AS
tor I'm 1879. They had evidently lived happily to-
cethcr and had four children when in March
with detailed correspondence. that Mr.. Drayton
trying 10 arrang" duel with Halett Alsop
Borrowe. Of Samuel RorrowN. vice president
Of the Equitable Life Assurance Society The
affair was hGshed up finally although II did result
in a bloodless duel In Belgium between Borrowe
and Ed Fox, a newspaper reporter. who was
accused OF having sent the story out
Two years later IN September 1894. Mr. Dray
rou brought sftt for divorce against his wife III
the New jersey courts. naming young Borrowe
default Mrs Drayton brought action al
leging desertlon. She won the suit and In 1895
married George Ogilvy Haie. a dister OF Scotch
whiskey, who has since died