Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-04-02
+ \, PAPERSlF|LED
IN Suit Against Husband
[by Mrs. A. G.,,vanderbi|t'
Whether Divorce or Separa-
ton Is Sought Is Not Known.
Papers Filed Late Wednesday,.
Vanderbilt of For Europe.

New York, April 1.-Within an hour
after he had sailed for Europe today
Alfred G.. Vanderbilt was made the de-
fendant in the suit filed with the su-
preme court by his wife, Ellen Franch
Vanderbilt. The nature Of the action
was not Immediately disclosed and
counsel for the plaintiff refused to-
night to state whether Mrs. Vanderbilt
sought divorce or legal separation
from her husband. Justice O'Gorman,
before whom the proceedings were in
stituted, appointed David Mcclure. an
attorney of this city, as referee to hear
testimony and report findings and rec
concentrations to the court.
Had secrecy for the time being been
wished the action Of counsel could not
have been better timed. The offices of
the county clerk are closed at o'clock
in the afternoon. Only few moments
before that hour the comparing clerk
received the papers. By the time that
official was through with them, it was
too late for the papers to be officially
recorded today They were placed III a
safe ard viii be formally entered to-
morrow morning.
Mrs Vanderbilt was Ellen French,
daughter Of the late Francis Orrnand
French, president Of the Manhattan
1ruS. co. and director of many rail-
roaG3 Her mother has been abroad
for several years, but is returning for
the nuptialS of her granddaughter,
Miss Pauline Leroy French and sam
ucl Wagstan, which will be solcmniZed
at Newport. Ellen, or as she is more
generally known, Elsie Franch mar
ricd Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt Jan. II,
1871. 4 year later their only child, Will
liam Henry, was born
Mir Vanderbilt, as the second son OF
tho late Cornelius Vanderbilt, Inherit
Cd some thing like $60,00O.O00 He has
been regarded as the head of the fam
liz since the eStrangement following
the marriage Of Cornelius, the eldest
son. to Miss Grace Wilson. During the
past year or so Mr.. Vanderbilt has
poaScG much of his time abroad. but
recently he returned from London.
where he plans to drive the coach Ven
ture as a public coach this spring be-
tween London and Brighton. Later he
is to be one of the judges at the inter-
national horse show in London, where
his horses wen many trophies last
year.
MIR Vanderbilt sailed at 3.15 O'Clock
this afternoon on the Cunard Liner
Mauritania, upon which vessel his
cousin the Duchess of Marlborough,
also was a passenger. The duchess had
been the guest recently of her moth
er, Mrs o. II. p. Belmont. Seen just
before the Mauritania left her pier,
Mr. Vanderbilt declined to discuss the
report that separation from his wife
was imminent. A half hour later Mrs.
Vanderbilt's attorney appeared before
Justice OGorman.
1t was learned late tonight from an
official in the county court house. who
SEW the papers in the case, that Mrs.
Vandnrbilts action is one for abSo-
lutte divorce.
Chandler T. Anderson. Mr.. Wander
bits personal counsel, who was seen
tonight in regard to the suit SAID:
"Yo:, see l am in no position to talk
of the affairs of my client
When Mr. Anderson was Informed
that it had been learned that the ac-
tion was one for absolute divorce, he
said: II cannot talk"