The Washington times., 1911-04-17
MRS. HOFF MAN IS
GRANTED SECRET
DIVORCE IN PARIS
New York Clubman's Second
Marriage Venture Ends
Unhappily.

PARIS, April 1.-THE continued abb
sence Of Mr.. and Mrs. ]. Ellis Hoffman
from Paris, which they have made their
home since their marriage here five
years ago. has been the subject of much
speculation among their friends. 1t was
understood they had gone for visit TO
New York
Recently reports reached here of a
disagreement between the couple, whose
romantic marriage was believed to be a
happy one. and that there probably
would be separation.
1t was learned that the reports of the
disagreement and proposed separation
are not onlv true, but that Mr.. and Mrs.
Hoffman are divorced, the decree being
granted to the wife by the French courts
on April 5, and that one OF the most
prominent married women IN the fash
ionable American colony in Paris was
named.
Not even a whisper Of the marital
troubles Of the Hoffmans was heard in
Paris before they left for America. last
summer. The wife. suspecting miscon-
duct on the part Of her husband with
the " oman she afterward named in her
suit. employed agents to get evidence.
Mr.. Hoffman left Paris. and his wife,
after starting her suit, last July, and
supporting 1t with her own and other
affidavits. also left her hCme here. They
have been in America since, but have
not met nor spoken since the dav the
wife charged her husband with in
fidelity.
Mrs. Hoffman is one of the best known
American residents of Paris. She has
lived here for twenty years. and main
tains a magnificent home al % Avenue
du Bois du Boulogne, i'll the heart Of
the fashionable quarter.
She is the daughter OF the late Gov
ernor Green of New Jersey, and inher-
tied a large fortune.
Miss Alice Green, however, quilted
New York in favor of Europe. In Lon
don some years ago she was the object
of much undisguised admiration on the
part of Emperor William of Germany,
who was visiting the British capital
He rode with her in the mornings in
Hyde Park, and caused her TO be in
vited TO the state ball given in his
honor at Buckingham Palace, as we'll
as TO the gala performance OF the opera.
John Ellis Hoffman was one of the
gilded youths of Newport and New
York, a graduate OF Harvard. and a
hard rider. He is the grandson of
George ". Ellis, former New York
banker. and a nephew of Ralph Ellis,
the huntsman and Sachtman. He was
the only son of Mrs. Charles Gouver-
neur Weir by her first marriage His
sister. Miss Emily Hoffman, a cele-
brated beauty, married Frederick Dali
Zlel, OF Paris. The Hoffmans are the
descendants of the Virginia Washing
tons.
MIR. Hoffman was also divorced from
his first wife, who was daughter Of
Mr.. and Mrs. Watts Sherman.
NEW YORK, April 17.-Mrs. Hoffman
was seen a. the Hotel Gotham Ia sst night
and confirmed the news from Paris, that
she had obtained a divorce. She would
give no hint of the indentity of the CO.
respondent except to say that the news
of her divorce would probably be a sur
prise TO Americans living in Paris. and
that her friends would have no trouble
in Identifying the woman she had
named.
Il will return to Paris in a short
time" said Mrs. Hoffman. Il shall not
court notoriety by discussing my affairs,
and il the name of the woman mention
ed in my suit becomes known there. It
shall not be by my consent.