The star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1908-1909, 1908-02-05
Granted Degree, with PracticaI-
ly No Defense by Hus-
band.
THAW INSANITY EVIDENCE
FIGURED IN THE CASE
Family Said to Have Decided on
No Defense Because of MUIR
der Trial Story.

LONDON, Feb. 5.-The Countess of
Yarmouth, sister of Harry X. Thaw
was today granted decree nullifying
her marriage with the Earl of Var
mouth. The hearing took place in
private in the Divorce Court presided
over by Sir Birrcll Barnes.
The former Pittsburg heiress gave
testimony in support OF her contention
that the marriage had never been con
summated.
a physician testified for the earl that
the latter was capable of consummaf
ing the marriage.
The Earl of Yarmouth did not defend
the case. his lawyer satisfying himself
with pointing out that the evidence OF
the doctor removed any stigma placed
upon the earl by the evidence of the
plaintiff and that there were no grounds
upon which the countess could have
sued for divorce.
The judge pronounced, without COM
ment. his decree annulling the mar
riage. In the ordinary course Of events
! IL will be made absolute in six months.
! No mention was made of a nlarriaga
| settlement, and it was learned from an
| authoritative source that, contrary ~
I certain published statements the ques-
/ tions Of revising the settlement has nor
been discussed by the principals or their
solicitors and that it is not likely to be
discussed.
| This change from the previous deter
| mination to contest the ease is said to
have been influenced by the evidence
| given recently in New York at the trial
of Harry Kendall Thaw, brother of the
countess, for the murder of Stanford
| White, with regard to insanity in the
Thaw family as well as the verdict Of
the jury that Harry Thaw vas insane
when he committed this crime.
The papers in the case are being kept
secret, and all information regarding
the nature of the charges has been
carefully withheld The statement was
made, however, that the character OF
the medical evidence to be given made
a public hearing inadyisable.
II has been well known for two years
past that the domestic life of the 1ar-
mouths were unhappy. The earfs com
panions and his manner of living, II
was said, were such that he could not
give his wife the place in society which
she had right to expect. She sup
piled large sums Of money TO defraY
her husbands eXtravagances, and her
friends say that she has conducted her
self with dignity throughout the
troubles resulting from this unhappy
union and the difficulties of her brother,
Harry Kendall Thaw.
The Hertford family, the head OF
which is the Marquis of Herttord
whose neir is the Earl of Yarmouth, Is
one of the oldest and proudest of the
British nobility.
Alice Cornelia Thaw, daughter OF the
late William Thaw, of Pittsburg, was
married to George Francis Alexander
Seymour. Earl of Yarmouth. at Cat
vary Church, Pittsburg, April q, l9oo
The marriage followed rather brlei
courtshp and stopped the earFs stage
lcareer. which had begun in private so
cietv theatricals at Newport and had
later been more or less successful in
professional way.
The Countess of Yarmoutf was pres
ent all through the first trial of her
brother Harry K. Thaw. for the mur7
der Of Stanford White, but did not ge
to New York or the second hearing.
The wedding of the Earl Of Var
mouth and Miss Thaw was a notable
happening in Pittsburg. Mrs. George
Lauder Carnegie was matron OF honor
and Lord Edward Seymour. brother OF
the bridegroom, was best man.
number of the EarPs relatives came
over for the ceremony.