The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-06-11
Friends Believe Millionaire
Sexaquarian Will Persist
in Marrying School Girl.
FAMILY FASTENING
TO STOP WEDDING
Names of Miss w. E. Rochelle
and South Carolinian Appear
on Register of Hotel.

While Brodie L. Duke. the million
aire sexagenarian of Durham, y. Q,
whose marriage 10 Wylanta Rochelle,
aged twenty-five, was prevented in
this city yesterday, has successfully
vanished from all who seek him,
while his family and their agents are
making every effort TO locate him and
the girl.
Washington and It's suburbs and
nearby points in Virginia and Mary
land have been secured In vain all
day By newspaper reporters and
friends OF the Duke family, neither
Mr.. Duke nor the young woman has
been traced.
This story Of an old man bent on
marrying a young girl against the
wishes Of his family and the views
OF at least one clergyman, the Rev.
Donald G. Macleod, of the First Pres
bytertGn Church, TO whom he applied
Tor the marriage ceremony. became
the subject Of fascinating interest to
the public when il developed that for
time yesterday Mr.. Duke had ap-
parently deserted Miss Rochelle This
came out when she went 70 Dr. Mac
Ieod's church and he failed TO appear
there at o'clock yesterday afternoon,
after ne had learned that DR.. Mac
Leod refused to perform the cere-
mony.
Both Disappear.
1t was thought last night that the
budding romance had been stopped
when ii was said that Duke. after
brief interview with the girl at her
boarding school at 1928 G street
northwest, had received his final dis
missaL But today, with the arrival
or an emDlOye of Dukes J. B Walker
IN the city 10 look for the wouId-b,
bridegroom, il came out that both
Duke and the girl had disappeared
utterly.
According 10 the reports of the
authorities in the various places. the
two have not been to Alexandria
Alexandria Court House, Hyattsville
Rockville, or Baltimore for a marriage
license.
At the Ebbitt House. where Duke
registered yesterday, IL was said
ftarnOOn that he had not been
nee yesterday afternoon.
s. a rerort that he had been
morning at the Riggs House,
could not be confirmed. He
d at the Burton Hotel on North
street yesterday with a de-
-hat the marriage ceremony be
med in the prior of tht house.
mis- permission VS. refused him.
--e ms not been seen there since then.
Mrs. Hosstley Gone.
Mrs. Mary Horstley. Of 1928 G street
northwest, who was Miss Roschelle's
chaperone and teacher. has also disap-
peared, and at the Horstley house a
colored woman who answered the door
bell prOfessed utter ignorance of the
Wherea bouts Of her mistress or the old
man. or the young woman.
Members Of the Duke family are on
their way here from Durham n 9, 10
join Mr. Walker in the frantic search
for this old man, who apparently has
cherished for a year or two the idea
of marrying Miss Roschelle. Already
married three times and divorced twice,
he brought the girl 10 this city from
North Carolina, and asked the advice
of his friend, Col William Haskell, Of
the Kelley Institute, at 2ll North Capt.
tOl street. as to where he could put
her to receive a finishing education He
later put her in Mrs Horstley's charge.
But he has been 10 the Burton Hotel
before. The register of the house
shows that on March 4. 1909, there
were registered there two couples
"Miss ". Z. Rochelle" and "Brodie L
Duke" and Miss Ida Rochelle" and a
man whose name is illegible except
for the four letters 2, r, and k.
Again at Hotel
Again on January II, 1910, Duke
was registered there with Miss w
(. Rochelle"
II will be noticed that on the register
IS
on the last visit Duke stayed at the
hotel two weeks
Persons who saw Duke at the Burton
Continued on Second Page,