The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-11-08
MRS. ASTOR GRANTED
 DIVORCE
Absolute Decree for Society Leader, But Papers in
 Case Ordered Sealed
Rumor Has It that She Also Received Lump Sum of $10,000,0O0 in Lieu of Ali n1Onv
n1ony.
Special from United Press.)

| | New City, N. r.. Nov. S-Mrs. John Jacob Astor. the society leader, was granted an absolute divorce from her husband, John Jacob Astor. by Justice Mills i'll the Superior court here today. The papers in the case are ordered sealed.
 The proceedings consumed less than one minute in open court and 1t was plain that nothing had been left un- cone to prevent any of the details of | the divorce becoming known Justice Mills was seated on the bench when John L. Cadwalador of law firm of | Strong & Cadwalador addressed him and handed over the desk a. bundle of papers.
 q present the report of H. P. Young. | appointed referee by this court to hear | and determine the action for absolute divorce brought by Mrs John Jacob \ Astor against her husband. Colonel John Jacob Astor. and ask that it be confirmed" Justice Mills nodded. "I have read the report as filed with the court" he said, and believe that it wagrants the relief desired. You. MT. Cadwalador, will draw the decree in favor of your client and will sign it"
 Cadwalador bowed and stood as l though waiting for something. "Oh, yes" said the Justice. "all papers in this case are hereby placed in the seal from the few lawyers in the court room.
 Neither Colonel nor Mrs. Astor was present when the decree was granted All of the work has been taken care or by their attorneys and there has been nc hitch in the pre-arranged plan Who was named as co-resp1ndent is not known and probably never will be although there is a strong rumor that 4He. -f faf- Erx, and the correspondent provided SC that the proceedings might not be de llayed-
 It is rumored that Mrs. Astor re- ceived a lump sum of SIG. .ooo. 600 in lieu of alimony and she will have the cus- ltody of their daughter while their sor will remain with his father.
 New York. Nov. s-That there was trouble between Colonel John Jacot Astor and his beautiful wife who was Miss Alva Lowie Willing. daughter ot Edward S. Willing of Philadelphia, and a descendant of a family that has beer a figure tn American society since Co., lonial days. had been known for some time but 1t was not believed that the trouble was of such a nature that il would result in a complete severencs of the marriage ties It became knowr on October 26 that Mrs. Astor had sue lceeded in having a referee appointed by Justice Mills to pass upon a suit lagainst her husband Secrecy wa. thrown around the matter and none of the parties concerned would talk but friends declared that the suit was a separation only. c. P. Young, New Rochelle lawyer. was named a. the referee but even the order ap pointing him was withheld from thu public until today.
 A few days later it was rumored tha
 the espondent-adultery is the onl, ground for absolute divorce in New
 York-was a well known society wo
 man. Many names have been men tioned in rumors. but inasmuch as thu
 papers are sealed there is no chanc that the actual correspondent will eve
 be known. It is declared by clos friends of Colonel Astor that he re
 tains all of his real estate and ha settled S10. 900. 900 on his wife. Thi money, it is understood, will go to he
 daughter Alice. on the death of he . mother. The son. Vincent. is with hi father in West Indian waters and Col onel Astor will retain custody of him although it is understood he is to b.
 free to visit his mother whenever sh, wants him.