The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1910-03-08
HUGE ALIhONY
Mrs. Aston to Get $780,
900 a Year.
GIVEN SI0.OO0.0O0 OUTRIGHT
Final Divorce Decree Has Been Sirn-
ed-Her Alimony Close to 5000
Day Sets New Mark in
Divorce Settlements.
GIVEN SIO.OOO.OOO OUTRIGHT

New York. March 5.--The FINAL de
cree granting an absolute divorce to
Mrs. ava Willing Astor from Colonel
John Jacob Astor was signed by Jus.
tice Isaac y Mills. In the supreme
court at White Plains. II is reported
upon what appears TO be reliable au.
thority that the decree carries an
agreement by which Colonel Astor
pays his former wife $500. 600 a year
income and Si0.0oO.000 in cash or Sc
curities in a lump sum
In signing the final decree Justice
Mills announced that ne would in
struct the clerk of Duchess county
not 20 seal the papers.
The settlement OF $40. 0OO. 600. II was
said. was made some time ago. Ali.
mony at 100000 a year. or close to
5000 day. sets a new mark in di-
Norce settlements in this or any other
country.
Whether or not Colonel Astor made
any specific settlement upon his
daughter. who is now In the custody
OF her mcther could not be learned.
There appears TO be no disposition 10
doubt that Mrs. Astor will get $500.
600 year from her husband as long
as she lives. Il IS believed that she
asked for this sum and that the delay
in asking for confirmation OF the de-
cree was dua to some dispute about
the amount TO be paid
Secrecy at Beginning.
The interlocutory decree was grant
ed with great secrecy by Justice Mills
at New City. in Rockland county. on
Nov. s 1903 Colonel Astor was AZ
that time cruising in the West Indies
on his yacht \ few days after the De.
cree was signed Mrs Astor sailed for
Europe. II was feared that Colonel
Astor had been lost in hurricane
which swept over the West Indies De
fore HIS wife sailed but the fear was
unfounded
While the interlocutorv decree wa
signed on Nov. $ Il was not fled In
the Office of the county clerk 81
Duchess county at Poughkeepsie IN.
al Nov. 10. The code provides that
three months must elapse before a
fnal decree can be granted
The three months I'm the Astor case
expired on Feb. 10 last Instead OF ap.
plying for final decree counsel asked
Tor an extension OF thirty DAYS This
move gave rise to foolish rumors that
Colonel Astor and his wife had been
reconciled
Final Decree In a Hurry.
Counsel for Mrs Astor served no
| lice a few DAYS ago that an applica
| lion for fuol decree would be made
% Justice Mills on March Hugh
Bayne OF Airs Astor's counsel. and
/ Commodore Lewis Cass i.oiyard. rcp
reseuting Colonel Astor. were in court
ready 10 carry out the necessary legal
.urmalities
As soon as the decree was signed.
1 Lawyer Ba' le started lo- Pnuchkeep
STE While the fnal decree is not 20
De scaled ttc int.r.ocu;ory decree an I
he evidence were scaled ~ New
City. The final decree is simply a
form OF Law granting Nrs. As,or her
livorce.
by the terms OF the decree. as IS
usual in an on 20. she IS allowed 20
resume her maid % name shqs-l-l.---7-s----
so desire A-=-syoo IS pe-mittes 90
FRINGE - a colonel Aston NAV
/ AIRY SSH in this state
tah,,,Il-, tle usual provision
ss-''irs. Aston is given the custody or
-aer daughter Alice Muriel while Col
onel Astor has the custody OF his son
Vincent