New-York tribune., 1908-02-06
DECREE FOR COUNTESS
Marriage of alice Thazo and Earl OF
Yarmouth Annulled.

| London Feb 6.-Sr Birrell Barnes, President of
the Divorce Court. to-day granted the Countess OF
Yarmouth who Miss Alice Thaw. Of Pittsburg.
decree multiplying her marriage to the Earl of Tar
| mouth. The heard IN private 1t was
practically undefended and the hearing lasted for
| only half an hour. The Countess, wearing black
gown, was present but the Earl of Yarmouth was
not in court.
Only four witnesses examined. They were
the Countess of Yarmouth, her maid. doctor ap-
pointed by the court and American lawyer. who
proved the marriage. The counsel for the plaintiff
pointed out to the judge that it was within the
discretion of the court to annul the marriage II 1t
was proved that there had not been real marriage
The judge pronounced his decree annulling the
marriage without comment. In the ordinary course
1t viii be made absolute in six months.
No mention made OF marriage settlement.
ana IL was learned from an authoritative source
that, contrary to certain published statements the
question OF revising the settlement has not been
discussed by the principals their solicitors and
that it is not likely be discussed.
Inc brevity of the proceedings came surprise
to everybody except those engaged the
mat the hearing should be short arranged
When the application was made last week and the
trial set for to-day, counsel then undertaking not
10 occupy more than one hour of the judges time
Inc 1act that at a council of the family OF the
Earl OF Yarmouth it decided not to defend the
action of the countess made this possible. This
change from the previous determination 10 contest
the case IS said to have been influenced by the
recent evidence in New York at the trial Of Harry
Kendall Thaw. brother of the countess. for the
murder OF Stanford White with regard insanity
in the Thaw family. well the verdict of the
jury that Harry Thaw insane when he COM
mitted this crime.
1t has been well known for two years past that
the domestic affairs OF the Yarmouths
unhappy The earls companions and his manner
OF living. 1t was said, such that ne could not
give his wife the place in society which she had
right to expect She supplied large of money
10 deffay her husbands extravagances, and her
friends say that she has conducted herself with
dignity throughout the troubles resulting from this
unhappy union and the difficulties of her brother.
The Marchoness of Hertford. mother Of the earl.
stood by her daughter-in-law throughout her
troubles and exerted herself reconcile the couple
but in vain. The Hertford family is much dis
tressed at the notoriety brought upon II
suit of the action taken by the countess.
The marriage Of Miss Alice Cornelia Thaw
George Francis Alexander Seymour. Earl of Var
mouth, took place In Calvary Church Tlttsburg.
on April 27, 1903. Miss Thaw the daughter
Of William Thaw. and her sister. Mrs. George
Lauder Carnegie was matron of honor at the we'd
ding, and Lord Edward Seymour, brother Of the
bridegroom, best man. The marriage put
end 10 the theatrical career Of the Earl of Var
mouth. which he began in private performances in
Newport and continued the professional stage
under the name of Eric Hope. He introduced
in Pittsburg society by Harry K Thaw, whom he
had met abroad and his courtship of Harry
Thaws sister Alice brief. But Harry Thaw.
as well as another brother Of the bride. refused
to attend the wedding. 1t said that the earl
got a marriage settlement of S1.000,000. He had
been heavily in debt in England and passed
through the bankruptcy court in 1900. His father
is Marquis Of Hertford, Earl of HertfOrd and
Niscount Beauchamp of Hache descendant from
the Speaker of the Long Parliament. There were
reports soon after the Countess of Yarmouth
went to England of trouble between her and her
husband. 1t said that the latter's family was
not pleased by her appearance at the first trial
of her brother for the murder of Stanford White |
She did not over for the second trial