The Washington times., 1911-04-15
MRS. H|CHBORN AND
WYL|E OFTEN SEEN
IN HOTELS Of PARIS
Capital Elopers Reside in
Different Parts of
French City.

Philip Hichborn, the prominent young
clubman and lawyer of Washington,
son of the late Rear Admiral Hich-
born, will not institute suit for divorce
from Elinor NJ. Hichborn, daughter of
the late Solicitor General Henry NJ.
Hoyt, of the State Department, and
who is now admitted to have eloped
with Horace Wylie, prominent Wash
ington clubman, last December.
In emphatically denying the report
that he is contemplating legal action
against his wenty-five-year-old wife.
Mr.. Hichborn, who is but twenty y-five
years of age, admitted for the first time
that she had fled with Wylie. who in
turn deserted his wife.
While many friends of Mr.. Hichborn
freely express sympathy for Hichborn
and Mrs. Wylie. there are those who
will not express a sentiment either
way. Such acquaintances OF the Hich-
born and Hoyt families pointed out
today that the man with whom Mrs.
Hichborn is said to have fed, is some
fifteen or twenty years her senior.
divorce is a complete surprise to me-"
said Mr.. Hichborn. 81 have spoken to
no one of my wife or my family affairs
since my wife left Washington. I have
not even discussed my affairs with my
mother, and 1 feel sure that she is not
responsible for the statements that /
have at any time contemplated divorce
proceedings.
Il cannot answer the question as to
whether or not my wife will again come
to live with me. / cannot tell what the
future will bring forth"
Elopement Was Sensational
The sudden disappearance Of Mrs.
Philip Hichborn and Horace Wylie in
December last, was one of the greatest
sensations that have been sprung in
Washington social circles for years.
When the rumor of their elopement was
first published there were emphatic de-
malls by the Hichborns, the Hoyts.
and from relatives of Mr.. Wylie. At
the Hichborn residence 1t was declared
that the popular young society matron
had suffered a nervous breakdown and
was In a Northern sanitarium. So en-
phatic were the denials of an elopement,
and so much influence from highest Of
ficials Of the Government was brought
to bear that the story of Mrs. Hich-
born being in a sanitarium was gener-
ally accepted for several weeks.
Another feature which made society
gasp at the sensation and then accept
Hichborn was known to have been the
most devoted Of mothers. Although she
and her husband were both well situated
financially, she refused to employ
nurse for her little girl. Instead, she
was frequently seen wheeling the per-
ambulator herself on Sixteenth street
in the mornings.
Both Are Seen in Paris.
The marriage of the young couple was
one Of the social functions Of the 1867
season. The bride had been one of the
most sought-after and popular Of de-
butantes, and as the then only unmar-
ried daughter Of the Solicitor General
of the State Department she held a
high place in society. After the mar
riage Mr.. and Mrs. TIichborn enter
tanned lavishly at their beautiful homo
in Sixteenth street.
Until several weeks ago rumors Of the
elopement had been dropped. At that
time, however, a cable dispatch to
New York newspaper contained the re-
port that Mr.. Wylie and Mrs. Hichborn
were residing in Paris in different sec
tions of the city. The report said they
were frequently seen at the theaters and
public dining halls In the hotels, and
that they made no apparent effort to
conceal their identity.
In spite of Mr.. Hichborn's emphatic
denial that he will not sue for divorce,
friends of the family said today that
such action will be taken before many
weeks. These friends say that because
Of the laws of the District of Columbia
the divorce will not be sought in this
jurisdiction.