The sun., 1913-12-10
AMERICAN DIVORCES
DUKE TO WE'D COUNT,
Mrs. Elizabeth Pratt Tibbitt Of
Kingston, n. ". Becomes
COmtesse de Pierrcfeu.
BRIDE Is go, HUSBAND 20
Became Wife Of Young Duke of
Mecklcnburg-Schwerin
Last Year.
BRIDE Is go, HUSBAND 20


PARIS, Dec. 9.--The American colony !
IN Paris was greatly surprised to-day
when it became known that Mrs. Elizabeth
1'ratt Tibbitts. formerly Of Kingston y.
y. has been divorced from Duke Henry
Borwn OF Mecklenburg- -Schwerin and is
row the wife OF Co,nte Jacques de
Pierrefcu. The Countess is nearly CO
years old. Her husband is 20.
Little Is known Of the history of the
Countess except what was revealed in
suits brought by her children by her first
husband when she became the wife of
the young German Duke in 1912. Three
OF her daughters married into noble fami-
lies Of Europe and she has lived on the
continent for many years having
chateau at Dinard and castle IN
Hungary.
II has been under st Dod that the relatives
Of Duke Henry Of MecklenburG- -Schwerin
were bitterly opposed to hi, marriage ana
we're getting ready to contest II. but IL
was a surprise when the news mat the
case had been decided was made public
at the same time as that OF the marriage
Of the Duchess to her present husband at
Dinard.
When she became the bride Of Duke
Henry she was known as the Com'esse
do Gasquet James. She was the widow Of
New Orleans man. Comte Amedee de
Gasauet Jaiues. to whom she was married
about forty years ago and who died at
Dinard in 1908. leaving a fortune esti-
mated at several millions. Part of this
was property at Kingston. y. Y, valued
at $l.00O.OOO. on account OF the ex-
travagant habits Of the Dukes parents
he was practically penniless and their
estates have been under the care of a
conservator. He was n prominent figure
IN German aristocrat!c circles and culti-
waited the friendship OF wealthy Ameri-
cans. At the time OF his marriage he was
Is years old.
Relatives Objected 60 Marriage.
His wife's wealth satisfied his creditors
but did not win the favor OF his relatives,
who gave the cold shoulder 10 her. Her
prodigal rehabilitation OF the family's
medieval castle caused them to feel more
kindly inclined. however. to the Dukes
American bride and 1t looked as II their
objections would finally be overcome until
the Dukes guardian instituted proceed
ings for the annulment OF the marriage in
the fall Of last year
Cornte Jacques Dedons de Pierrefeu.
whom the ex-Duchess has just married.
has lived for some time in New York.
His brother. Count Jchan Marie, married
Elsa Tudor one OF the mos, popular girls
in Boston society. several years ago and
went 20 work IN a steel plant in Chicago
to learn the manufacture OF steel ia
now resides at Brussels with his wife and
child. lie is exploiting a vacuum cleaner.
Comte Jacques was mixed up in an un-
savory scandal at Dinard about two years
ago. but was acquitted. several influential
relatives and friends OF his sister. who
married a wealthy Englishmen, Col, Nee
king. coming to his aid.
MeekinR's Death Mysterious.
The Counts sister. a poor hut pretty
girl. me. Col. Meeking at Dinard three
years ago and became his wife. She was
20 and he was so years old. He was i'm
mensely wealthy and was a regular
visitor to Dinard. He was the owner of
q hne yacht. They went to London to
live and a few months later the Colonel
died.
year later his relatives totained
permission from the Home Office in Lon
don to have his body cxhumed. alleging
that his death was suspicious. Examina-
ton of the body failed to substantiate the
assertion that he was the victim of poison.
ing.
The mother OF the Countess de Perrefeu
is still living at Dnard. She is an in
valid. She also is very wealthy and is
q charming and dign'fed woman. The
Countess is stout and jolly and fond OF
young people. She resided last summer
at her castle in Hungary.
The children Of the Countess by her
previous marriages are George Watson
Pratt, Comtesse dc la Chone de- Ia
Metric and the COmtesse dc Librau
Another daughter who died. was the wife
of Baron Won der Deckon.