The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-04-02
Wife Of the Millionaire Brings
Action for Divorce
Immediately Following His De.
parture for Europe.
is WORTH S6O,OOO,OOO
Defendant Is Regarded as Head
of the House.
They We're Married in 1901 and
Have One Child.

new York, April 2.-Within an hour
after he had sailed for Europe, Alfred
Gwynne Vanderbilt was made the de-
fendant in suit filed with the su-
preme court by his wife, Ellen French
Vanderbilt. An absolute divorce is
asked for. Justice O'Gornan, before
whom the proceedings were Instituted,
appointed David Mcclure, local attor-
ney, as referee to hear testimony and
to report findings and recommended
tlons to the court. Had secrecy for the
time been wished, the action of coun-
sci could not have been better timed.
The offices of the county clerk are
closed at 4 o'clock in the afternoon
Only a few moments before that hour
the comparing clerk received the pa
pers By the time he was through
with them it was too late for the pa
pers to be officially recovered They
were placed in a safe and will be for
mally entered today
Mrs. Vanderbilt was Ellen French,
daughter of the late Francis Ormond
French, president of the Manhattan
Trust company and director of many
railroads. Her mother has been abroad
for several years, but is returning for
the wedding of her granddaughter.
Miss Pauline Leroy French, and Sam
uel Wagstaff, to take place at Newport
on May 5.
Ellen, or, as she was known, Elsie,
was married to Alfred Vanderbilt jan
uary H. 1901. A year later their only
child. William Henry, was born.
Mr.. Vanderbilt, as the second son of
the late Cornelius Vanderbilt, inherit
ed something like $60.00o,00O. He has
been regarded as the head of the fam
lily since the estrangement which fol-
lowed the marriage of Cornelius, the
eldest son, to Miss Grace Wilson.
During the past year or so Mr.. Van
derbilt has spent much of his time
abroad. But recently he returned from
London where he plans to drive the
spring between London and Brighton.
Later he is to be one of the judges at
the International horse show at Lon
don, where his horses won many
trophies last year.
Mr.. Vanderbilt sailed at 3:15 O'Clock
liner Mauretania, upon which his
cousin, the Duchess of Marlborough.
was also passenger. The duchess has
been the guest lately of her mother,
Mrs. o. H Belmont. Just before
the Mauretania left her pier Mr.. Van
derbilt declined to discuss the report
that separation from his wife was
imminent. Half an hour later Mrs.
Vanderbilt's attorney appeared before
Justice O'Gorman.
In0 uOtH6SllC dlldIS VI MI. dlAO 3SAl ..
Vanderbilt have engaged public atten-
tion since March "a, when Mrs. Van
derbiIt, accompanied by their son and
maids, left Oakland farm. near New
port, R. l., and went to the home OF
her brother. Amos Tuck French. at
Tuxedo Park. this state. Much of the
furnishings at the Newport home have
been shipped to Tuxedo Park. The
French cottage at Tuxedo Park, which
is known as "Tuckseden," has been
put into shape, it is said, for continued
occupancy
Mr. Vanderbilt, while here, had
apartments at the Plaza hotel. Neither
he nor his wife would discuss the re-
ports which gained circulation after
her removal from Newport. At Tuxedo
last night it was said that Mrs: Van
derbilt had left New York and that
she might go on to Newport. 1t was
reported that she spent some time with
her attorneys here, but whether she
remained in the city for the night is
not known. At the Plaza hotel it was
said communications sent to the Van
derbiit apartment there remained un-
q,