New-York tribune., 1909-10-06
MARQUISE DIES ON SHIP.
denounced Roman Faith A fter Bene-
fting Catholic University.

The Marquise des Monstiers-Merinville. benefac-
tor OF the Catholic University Of America who re-
hounced the Catholic faith in 1905. died yesterday
on board the Kronprinzessin Cecilie just the
vessel anchored at Quarantine. Brfght's disease
was the immediate cause of her death She suffered
paralytic stroke several years ago and came here
as last resort in the hope of improving health.
Al her deathbed were DIR. r. Ohle. her personal
physician; the ships surgeon. and six attendants
VINO accompanied her to America.
The marquise, whose maiden name was Mary
Gwendolen Caldwell born in Kentucky about
nfty years ago. She the daughter of William
Shakespeare Caldwell. who amassed fortune in
building gaswOrks. Prior 10 her marriage to the
Marquis des Monsters -NIerinviIe which took
place in Paris in 1885, she active in Washington
society. and entertained extensively in Richmond
and Louisville. At time she engaged to
Prince Murat, grandson of the King of Naples,
but the engagement was broken because the Amer
lean heiress 1t reported refused to settle half
her fortune the European prnceling.
Her fortune then said TO be about S2,000Oo0
Early enthusiasm for the Catholic Church. which
her father had embraced before his death, induced
her TO contribute large sum toward founding the
Catholic University at Washington.
Both she and her sister. Lima Caldwell. made
their home with aunt here and were educated
at the Convent of the Sacred Heart, in Manhattan
vile On the death Of her father the fortune left
to her and her sister, who was married to Baron
Won Zedwitz, was intrusted to the care OF Bishop
Spalding Of Peoria, III. Because of her piety and
tenefactions Pope Leo XIII gave her the order
OF the Rose, distinction never before conferred
any
In 1906 she renounced the Catholic Church and at
tackled II bitterly in a published statement Her
decision came as big surprise to every one who
knew her All efforts to have her reconsider this
decision were in vain. The Pope received her In
special audience. but she lid not change her mind
In 1896 the Marquse des Monstiers-Merinville paid
a visit TO Rome 1t reported then that her
mission to that country to publish a book
describing her relations with the Church which
would cause a sensation among Catholics Much
pressure was brought to bear to prevent the pub
lication-
Dr. Ohle said the Marquis des Monstiers-Mertn-
VILE had been informed of his wtfe's death and
that the body would remain on board the vessel
until word was received to it's disposal
Washington Oct 5-The death Of Marquise Marie
des Monsters Merinville. who before her marriage
was Miss Caldwell of Louisville. occasioned gen
uine regret to-day among the authorities Of the
Catholic University Of America here, although it
and the marquse have been somewhat strained
since her withdrawal from the Catholic Church in
1906 prior TO which time the university profted
by her munihcence. The authorities at the univer-
sty say they have only the kndliest recollec-
tions of the marquise's generosity.
The university the recipient of gifts from the
marquse Of more than &3od0O0- Caldwell Hall. one
Of its buildings. named in her honor
Severing in 1SG5 all connection with the Church.
the marquse insisted that her portrait be removed
from Caldwell Hall Later she demanded that her
name be erased from the hail. both OF which re-
quests were granted.