The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1908-04-02
DREAM Of BLISS
COMES TO END
Wife of Alfred GWynne Van
derbiIt Brings Action for
Divorce.
HUSBAND OFF FOR EUROPE
NOTHING MADE PUBLIC CON-
CORNING THE AFFAIR.

New York, April 1.@Within an houf
after he had sailed for Europe today
Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt "a made
the defendant in a suit filed with the
supreme court by his wife, Ellen
French Vanderbilt. The nature of the
action was not Immediately disclosed,
and counsel for the plaintiff refused
tonight to say whether Mrs. Wander
bilt seeks a divorce or legal separation
from her husband. Justice O'Gornan,
before whom the proceedings were in
stituted. appointed David Mcclure. d
local attorney. as referee to hear tes-
timOny and report findings and recon-
mendations to the court
Had secrecy for the time beer
wished, the action of counsel 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 papers. By the time he
was through with them it a too late
for the papeTs to be officially recorded
today. They were placed in a safe and
will be formally entered tomorrow
morning.
Wife Was Ellen French.
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 Wagstaf, to take place at New
port on May ). Ellen. or. as she was
more generally known. Elsie. was
married TO Alfred Vanderbilt on Jan.
II. 1901 A yea later their only child,
William Henry, was born.
Mr.. Vanderbilt. as the second son of
the late Cornelius Vanderbilt. inherit
ed something like $50. 600. 900. He has
been regarded as the head of the fam
lily since the estTangement which fol-
lowed the marriage of Cornelius, the
eldest son., to Miss Grace Wilson.
Spends Much Time Abroad.
During Ii 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
coach Venture as a public coach this
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 tro-
phies last year.
Mr.. Vanderbilt sailed at 9:15 o'clock
this afternoon on the Cundrd liner
Mauretania, upon which his cousin.
the Duchess of Marlborough, was also
a passenger. The duchess has heen
the guest lately of her mother, Mrs.
H. p. Belmont. Just before theN
Mauretania left her pier Mr.. Wander
dit declined TO discuss the report that
a separation from his wife was immi-
Half an hour later Mrs. Van
derbllt attorney appeared before Jus
O'Gorman.
Much Talk, but Little Known.
The domestic affairs of Mr.. and Mrs.
Vanderbilt have engaged public atten-
ION since March "A, when Mrs. Van
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
ruXedO Park. this state. The French
cottage at Tuxedo Park, which is
as "Tuck's Eden.' has been
'ut into shape, it is said. for contin-
led occupancy.
N~~dorhilt. While here. has had
lpartments at the Plaza hotel. Meth
r he nor his wife would discuss the
.eports which gained circulation after
Ter removal from Newport.
At Tuxedo tonight it was said thar
drs- vanderbilt a left New York. /
that n might go on to Newport.
[ was reported hat she spent some
me with her attorneys here today,
ut whether h remained i'm the CITY
or the night is not known. At the
'laZa hotel it al said that commu-
sent to the Vanderbilt apart-
nents there remained unanswered