Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1908-04-02
DIVORCE: SUIT
FILED BY MRS.
VANDERBILT
MYSTERY SHROUDS
GROUND FOR ACTION
Petition Presented to New York
Court Few Moments After
Husband Sails for Europe on
Pleasure Bent,
tBy Morning journal Special Leased Wire !

Pleasure Bent,
tBy Morning journal Special Leased Wire
New York, April Within an houl
after he had sailed for Europe today
! Alfred GWynne Vanderbilt was 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 dis
closed, the counsel for the plaintiff
refusing tonight to say whether Mra
Vanderbilt seeks a divorce or legal
separation from her husband. Justice
O'Gorman, before whom the proceed
ings were instituted, appointed David
Mcclure, a local attorney, as referee
to hear testimony and to report finl-
ings and recommendation to the
court
Had secrecy for the time been
wished, the action of counsel could
not have been better timed. The =
fices 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 was too late for the papers
to be officially recorded today. They
were placed in a safe and viii be for
mally entered tomorrow morning.
Mrs. Vanderbilt was Ellen French,
daughter Of the late Francis Ormonde
French president Of the Manhattan
Trust company, and director OF many
companies. Her mother has been
abroad for many years. but is return
ing for the wedding of her grand
daughter, Miss Pauline French, and
Samuel Waggstaf, to take place at
Newport on May 5, Ellen, or as she
was more generally known, Elsie, was
married to Alfred Vanderbilt on JAM
uary II, 1901, A year later their only
child, William Henry, was born
Mr. Vanderbilt, as the second son
of the late Cornelius Vanderbilt in
herited something like $50, 100000
He has been regarded as the head Of
the family since the estrangement
which followed the marriage of Cor
nelius the eldest son, to Miss Grace
Wilson During the past year or so
Mr. Vanderbilt has spent much of his
time abroad. But recently he return
ed from London, where he plans to
drive the coach Venture as public
coach this spring between London and
Brighton. Later he is to be one of
the judges at the International horse
show at London, where his horses won
many trophies last year.
Mr., Vanderbilt sailed at BIS this
afternoon on the Cunard liner Mame-
tania upon which his cousin, the
Duchess of Marlborough, was also a
passenger. The duchess has been the
guest lately of her mother, Mrs O. H.
=, Belmont Just before the Maure-
tania left her pier Mr., Vanderbilt de-
clined to discuss the report that a
separation from his wife was imm-
nent. Half an hour later Mrs. Van
derbilts attorney appeared before
Justice O'Gorman.
The domestic affairs of Mr.. and
Mrs. Vanderbilt have engaged public
attention since March "a, when Mrs.
accompanied by their son
ana maids, left Oakland farm, near
II. l., and went to the home
Of her brother, Amos Tuck French, at
Tuxedo Park, this state. Much of the |
at the Newport home have
been shipped to Tuxedo Park. The |
French cottage at Tuxedo Park, |
which is known as "Tucks Eden" has
been put in shape, it is said, for con
tinued occupancy.
Mr. Vanderbilt while here, has had |
apartments at the Plaaz hotel. Meth |
ar he nor his wife would discuss the |
reports which gained circulation after
her removal from Newport.
At Tuxedo tonight it was said that |
Mrs Vanderbilt had left New Yoab |
and that she might go to Newport It
IS reported that she spent some tinn
with her attorneys here today, Bat |
she remained in the city Tor |
The night is not known. At the Plaza |
hotel It was said that communications |
sent TO the Vanderbits today remain |
ed unanswered.
It was learned late tonight from an |
official in the county court house who |
'aw the papers in the case that Mrs |
action is one of abs jlutc |
iivorce
Chandler r. Anderson, Mrs Wander
Dilt's personal counsel, who was seen
onight in regard to the suit said:
You see | am in no position to |
ak on the affairs of my CLIENT
When Mr.. Anderson was informed L
hat it had been learned that the ac- |
ion was one for absolute divorce, he
said
II can not talk"
Mrs Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt left H
ler residence, Oakland farm II |
a suburb of Newport, on |
Tuesday of last week, and her per
5ona belongings were packed up and /
from the residence on the
anne day, Mrs Vanderbilt went 10 |
Tuxedo Park, New York, where she |
became the guest of her brother, Amos |
ruck French. She was accompanied |
~ her son and her niece, Miss Paul |
ne Leroy French, who is to be mar |
ried to Samuel Waggstaff in this city |
IN May next It was reported to- /
night that Mrs. Vanderbilt left Tux !
Edo Park this morning for Newport. /
but she had not arrived here this
'vening 1t was thought possible that |
she left New York on one Of the sound /
steamers due in Newport early to-
ror~ow
Mahy Of the personal effects Of Mrs