The evening world., 1911-04-17
Papers in Suit for Separation
of Young Woman and
Groom Being Prepared.
ORDERED By EX-BOSS.
Case Put in the Hands of Rich
ard Croker Jr. Before Father
Sailed.

Intimate friends OF the family Of Rich
ard Croker declared to-day that legal
papers were being prepared In a pro-
cceding to annul the marriage Of Miss
Ethel Croker and John J. Breen, the
groom and stable manager, she married
secretly n year ago his month. The
anUIireI; proceedings will he brought
I'm New Jcr.cy, whore the marriage took
pla q.
ono o: the chief objects o. Ricr1rd
Croker recent visit to America. j.: vas
said, was to rave a talk with Breen and
persuade him to consent to an annul-
ment. The former boss of New York
ari his son-in-law met in this city and
had several conferences. Breen was de-
fsnt and refused to listen TO any OF the
arguments OF his father-in-law. AL
though he has not seen his wife since
two days after the marriage he main
tained hat she was prevented from see
Ing him against her will. lie declared
TO Mr.. Croker tina he would engage
counsel and fight the annulment pro-
ceedings.
leaves Case In SONS Hands
" v VII ~ h'h W s'iNl
lie left the matter in cha. ;e OF his son.
Richard Croker ST.. with injunctions to
lose nc time in beginning the annul-
inent proceedings. Zone OF the Croker
family would discuss the subject today.
Mrs. Breen II living IN Paris with her
sister Florence, the Duchess San Mar
t.no.
TIL Crokers have never recognized
the marriage because % the fact thar
Miss Croker was n Roman Catholic and
Breen a Protestant. 1t was learned to-
day that two days after the marriage
her brothers got hold of the bride and
took her to friends In Cedarhurst.
Shorty afteywdrd she went abroad.
Breen followed. but failed to see ner.
lie saw Richard Croker in London and
they had a stormy interview. He re-
turned without his bride, hut apparently
in better financial condition than he mad
ever been before.
During the summer he orened up a
riding school on the New Jersey coast,
Now he is In the employ OF the Hon. j.
X. Stratton OF Petersburg, Ont. a
wealthy Canadian me nber OF Parlia-
ment. He was summoned to New York
from Canada upon the arriva. Of Mr.,
Croker here.
; O'Neill Seclig. a friend OF Breen's, whc
Is employed in the Knickerhocker stable!
in West Fifty-four;h street. says ;ha'
Breen has engaged an attorney TO rep
resent him In this suit.
Discussing the case Seclig said:
For a time Mrs. Breen wrote very
friendly letters to her husband, The
these suddenly ceased. II looked 4
Breen. as he told II 10 me. that tn,
'rokers We're using their influence &
keep his slrl-wife away.
Grounds for the Suit.
Il have been told that the famll!
loped to OBTAIN the annulmcnt upor
taree grounds. First, that as Bree,
was a Protestant and Miss Croker
Catholic, the marriage was not recog
nlzed because she did not obtain tn,
sanction OF the church: second. tina
the marriage was only aNcivil formal
aty, and that Is not recognized by In
family. third. that Breen was not
resident OF New Jersey wien he 60
the license, having merely taken
room in a hotel FOR the day. ! am sur
Rreeu Will corrobola all I have toll
You"
The marriage. OF Breen and Mis-
Croker vas first reported about May
1910. II was denied an all sides, Mis-
Croker laughed at the story. and Bree
said he was only "A servant in Mis-
Crokcr's eyes" Even the Justice o
tho Peace who performed the eremon
denied It.
\ few days later the Justice OF tn
Peace admitted that On the plea G
Breen he had kept the facts quiet. bu
hat he really had married the coupl,