The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1910-04-17

marriage Of w. K. Vanderbilt, Sr.. to
the charming widow, Mrs. Anna Harri-
man Rutherford.
In order to avoid preliminary gossip
and other undesirable publicity. it was
arranged that this should be a very
quiet wedding in London at a time
when no one would suspect w X. VAN
derbilt to be thus engaged. Mrs. Ruth
erford was visiting friends in London.
Vanderbilt was cruising on the Valiant
in the Mediterranean.
In order to insure the desired Sc
crecy, 1t was necessary to find a cler-
gyman of the Church of England who
was without prejudice against a d.
vorced person and to obtain a license
from the bishop Of that clergyman's
diocese which would sanction cere-
mony without the publicati of banns.
The influences at work were suff-
cient to enable Mr.. Vanderbilt to OBJ
tain such a license and to induce the
Rev Robert Henry Haddens, vicar Of
st. Marks Church. North Audley street,
London-a prominent and popular
clergyman-to perform the ceremony
a an unusual hour.
A Clergyman Rebuked.
But the secret leaked out There was
tremendous scandal, and the Rev.
MADDEN was disciplined by the Arch
bishop OF Canterbury-indeed, so often
siVe was the whole proceeding not only
to the Church authorities but to Eng
!ish society, with King Edward a. its
head, that this c,ergyman's career as a
popular preacher was practically
closed-and all because that final quar-
rel on board the Valiant few years
before had made W. X. Vanderbilt ELI
gible TO a second matrimonial venture
This was the hardest blow yet re-
ceived by the young Duchess of Marl-
borough, whose position in royal Eng
nsh society-as already mentioned
was seriously attacked Before this
marriage scandal her father whom she
dearly loved and clung- to In all her
troubles. was liked and respected in
England. Now both her mother and
father were drag upon her authority
and influence as Duchess of Marlbor-
ough.
On the other slde--the side of the
mother Of a Duchess-the yacht VAL
laAt' which was Instrumental in bring
ing her so close TO royalty and to the
very top Of American social life, was
also instrumental in giving to her a
second husband, through which mar
rage she lost all, and more, social
prestige than it had enabled her to
gain.
The yacht Valiant had served her
purpose In engineering herself into tho
position OF mother-in-law to an Eng
lish Duke. During two Newport sea-
sons. up to that brilliant wedding in St.
Thomass Church In November, 1895,
and for year afterward, she queened
1t over American society at home and
abroad IS no other American woman
ever had done Probably only one thing
prevented her continuing in that posi-
ton up to the present day-her mar
riage TO 0. II. p. Belmont
In taking this autocratic action, in
the face OF the bitter disapproval of
the whole Vanderbilt clan and all Its
social ramifcations. she overestlmated
her power. During the social season
following that marriage society was
split into two camps-and it was only
in the smaller camp where Invitations
included Mr.. and Mrs. 0. H. p. Belmont.
The Astors. the Fishes. the Henry D.
Whites, the Countess Leary and other
potent Qames were arrayed with those
of the Nanderbilts to thrust Mrs. Bel
mont OF her throne.
When MIS-. Astor gave her Newport
dinner at "Beechwood' that year, Perry
Belmont was invited and was present,
but Mr.. and Mrs. o. Fl. p. Belmont were