The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-01-13
mrs. TOM PIERCE
SUES FOR DIVORCE
Young Horse-Woman Who
Thrilled Hunting Set,
Alleges Cruelty.
SHE MAY MARRY AGAIN
"Aleca 1ligginson, Master OF
Middtesex Hounds. Said to BE
One of Her Admirers.

BOSTON, January 12.-papets in an &c
& tioa for divorce from her millionaire
# husband have been filed By Mrs. Tom
Pierce. OF Boston. Newport, and Long
Island. The thrills which Mrs. Pierce
has furnished 10 the smart set by inno-
Il cent but unconventional escapades for
+ several seasons are az nothing com
pared with the stir created among New
i port and Back Bay residents by her &C
tion in seeking divorce on the ground
OF cruel and abusive treatment
Il is whispered in boudoirs that Tom
Il Pierce is still deeply in love with his
B wife. and that the announcement re-
4 comfy that he was about to bring suit
for separation was made in the hope that
I. Mrs. Pierce would reient and recon-
Citation be effected.
Speculation is already lively concerning
tie future of Mrs. Pierce In event of her
SUIT being successful She has won the
admiration OF many men high In the ia
vor OF society. Among them is Alexander
H. Higginson. Jr, son of Major Henry T..
Higginson. a millionaire broker and one
OF Boston's most prominent citizens.
ALEC" Hlgginson is young. heir to a
fortune, and quite as ardent n lover OF
horses, dogs and steepiechGsing as Is Mrs
Pierce. She Is known as the most skilful
and daring steeplechase rider at the sum-
mer horse shows in Newport and vicinity
Friends of Pierce say that behind his
wtfe's present action Is story of n
husbands sacrifice and devotion II Is
said that Pierce gave to his wife the
privilege of first obtaining freedom to
marry again. 1t Is understood that Mrs
Pierce will relinquish guardianship OF
their five-year-old son.
1t is now about three years since the
Higginsons We're divorced. She was the
dark-eyed Rosamond Tudor and is now
the wife of w. Startling Burgess, the
well known yacht designer. For time
Alex" Higginson paid court to Hida
spong. an actress, and his friends heard
reports that he was to marry her While
these reports We're being circulated. Mrs |
Pierce drew the attention OF Boston So
cfety by her splendid riding at the horse
show here. She had Just returned from
abroad. provided with excellen. horses, |
and her dash and grace won hearts as |
well as blue ribbons.
The show ring was sure TO resotInd |
with cheers when Mrs. Pierce. mounted |
on her Tornado. sped toward a fence and |
with a hearty, Vow, boy" and cut OF |
the whip. took the barrier at n bound. |
1t was later remarked that the occa-
sions at the horse show when Mrs.
Pierce received 50 much adulation. /
marked the first display of sorrow and /
perhaps apathy on the part OF her hus-
band The couple were married on June |
=, 1893, and Tom Pierce has always |
been devoted husband
Interest in Home Waned.
Following her triumphs at the show
which Were witnessed by Mr. Higginson.
II was noted that Mrs. Pierce devoted |
less and less time TO her pretty cottage |
In Topsfield, where, among her horses |
.1I I1ryv ,I,. t,,sl
care-free existence, riding cross-country
daily after the Myopia hounds. enter
tanning lavishly and bestowing a 1.-THE
Of her devotion on the delicate, fair
haired little boy named after her hus-
band. The child was i'll one day. and
Mrs. Pierce is credited with remarking:
What on earth shall do for him. II !
1t was horse that was i'll 1 wouldn't
have to ask"
She went to Newport to stay with Mrs
William I. Bull who secured a divorce
from James G. Blaine, Jr. She entered
Tornado. Bayadere and her other famous
mounts in the horse show, and rode with
her startling dash and daring. She helped
to ride to victory Reginald Vanderbilts
horses.
Thrown from her horse one afternoon,
she was carried or the field. white and
Unconscious. ontyto return within an hour
to receive the pLaudits of her friends.
TON" Pierce was not present to view
his wife's social victories. He was great
Is annoyed by the publication of stories
concerning his wife's daring horseman-
ship, and other unconventional activities.
lie one day thrashed a photographer who
had photographed Mrs. Pierce at her own
request. Mrs. Pierce dec.Ged to accept
ths pictures and the camera man sold
them to Boston paper.
Mrs. Pierce and her friends frequently
visited Salem which Is near the family
home at Topsfeld The story is still
enjoyed by society of how. Mrs. Pierce
and her sister, Mrs George Wheatland,
went to the Salem theatre one night.
Mrs. Pierce plucked the petals from the
flowers on her hat and tossed them to
the staGe. She also threw bouquet O.
yfolets, which the leading lady grasped.
Instantly the bouquet was withdrawn,
Mrs Pierce having fastened string to
1t The manager of the theatre re-
quested that Mrs. Pierce cease 10 favor
him with her patronage.
Alec" Higginson Attentive.
Alec Higginson was most frequently
in attendance on Mrs. Pierce during her
travels between Newport, Salem, Brook