The Washington herald., 1909-06-11

New York, June 1o-Dispatches IRON
LONDON to-day tell OF the suicide IN a
hotel there some days ago OF Mrs. Ruiz.
the divorced wife OF Antonio Ruiz, 3 sec
retary OF the Cuban Legation az Wash
ington. whose name was mentioned IN
connection with the divorce suit OF Mrs
Alfred Vanderbilt
Not much has ever been disclosed con-
cerning the early history OF Mrs. Ruiz.
and II was not until her name was men
toned in the Vanderbilt case that much
attention was attracted 20 her. There
was good deal OF mystery regarding her
origin even then.
So far as could be learned al the time.
the coupling OF her name with that OF
Alfred Vanderbilt set folks deiving into
her past. She was the daughter OF q Mis-
souri, farmer who. Ike a lot OF other
farmers daughters possessed OF a good
ngure and good looks. had gravitated 20
New York and gone on the stage. She
was Mary O'Brien when she came here
but her appearance on the stage was
made under the name Of Ruth Hilton.
Met Rich Young Cuban.
While chorus girl IN a Broadway show
IN 1903 she attracted the attention OF
Ruiz. who was q young Cuban with a
good deal OF money and attached 10 the
Cuban Legation.
II wasn't long after Mr.. Ruiz caught
sight OF her that the pair were married
The marriage took place on August Il.
1903. and Ruiz and his bride sailed for
Cuba He introduced her 10 his friends
IN Havana. but before long they returned
here. and then & was apparently that
Ruiz found that his wife had had a rather
queer past. and that her name wasn't
I Ruth Hilton. as. Il Is said. he had been
led 70 believe. She had been living under
several names IN different Broadway ho-
teis. and after discovering this the couple
separated.
Attention wasn't attracted 70 Mrs. Ruiz
then until shortly after tAe separation OF
Mr.. Snd Mrs. Alfred Vanderbilt An au-
tomobile sales agent let IL be known then
that Mrs. Ruiz had bought an automobile
OF him costing $1,000. or rather that Il
had been bought for her BY Harry
Brenchley. who was az that time Mr.
Vanderbilt's stable manager. and who
subsequently eloped with Mrs. Albert S.
Dietrich.
Vanderbilt Responsible.
Brenchley. the automobile agent said.
had given him to understand that Mr..
Vanderbilt would be responsible for the
payment OF the N1o00 He hadn't re-
ceived the money then. but shortly after
ward Mrs. Ruiz came around and settled
the bin herself. paying for the car with
eleven 1900 bills.
She told reporters who interviewed her
at the time that this was her own money.
and denied the story told by the automo-
bile agent
Mrs. Ruiz was discovered at this time
living at 5s6 Lexington avenue, where she
maintained a handsomely furnished
apartment and seemed 10 have ample
means. According 10 a story told at the
time. II was while or the bride path
that she had first met Mr. Vanderbilt.
who came 10 her aid when she broke
a saddle buckle.
Unknown Woman in Case.
In the complaint fled by Mrs. Wander
bilt In her suit for divorce last year. she
alleged that her husband had been guilty
OF misconduct with An unknown wom-
ar az Richmond. Va. At the trial.
Harry Kempster. who had been Mr.. Van
derbilts valet for many years. and was
Mrs. VanderbIlts chief witness. testified
that Mr.. Vanderbilt had been guilty OF
misconduct with a woman whose name
he did not know on his private car. the
Wayfarer. IN October. 1906 on a trip from
Norfolk 10 Richmond. Benedict Clarke.
another witness. testified to having met