The Topeka state journal., 1914-02-19
DECREE FOR EACH
The Clarence III. Mackays Have
Been Divorced In Paris.
Custody of the Children Award
ed to Their Father.

New York, Feb. 1s.-The announce
ment today. that Clarence H. Mackay'
president of the Postal Telegraph COM
pany, and Catherine Duer Mackay, his
wife. had been granted q mutual d.
vorce by the French courts on Febru-
ary IL, came as q surprise not because
1t was unexpected but because OF the
place and manner In which the decree
was granted. For many months the
couple had been living apart and soci-
ety's only query was when suit for
divorce would be fled. 1t was
thought Portland. Me-, would be the
place, as Mrs. Mackay leased a house
and established a residence there, but
home for Paris and soon thereafter her
husband appeared in the French capt.
tai.
There were rumors OF a reconciliation
then but these were denied by Mr..
Mackay. 1t now appears that the trip
Of the two to Europe, was in accord
ance with a plan agreed upon. when
the separation suit of Mrs. Joseph A.
Blake against DR.. Joseph A. Blake. the
famous surgeon. was decided in the
wife's favor without contest and Mrs.
Blake dropped her suit for $1,000 900
against Mrs. Mackay for the alleged
alienation OF Dr. Blake's affections.
Counsel for both Mr.. and Mrs. Mackay
made announcement of the mutual d.
vorce.
The statement recited that both sides
charged desertion. Mrs. Mackay filing
suit FIRST Mr.. Mackay followed with a
contest suit. The decree 1t was stated
gave the custody of the couples three
children to Mr.. Mackay with the right
to visit them accorded to Mrs. Mackay.
Mutual divorces it was explained we're
he - 1nv
was also explained that the French
courts had jurisdiction as both parties
to the suit had apartments in Paris
for a considerable time.
Decree Holds Good.
In this connection a report was pub
lished here that Mrs. Mackay had re-
nounced her American citizenship in or
der to bring the suit. but this was not
confirmed. No mention was made in
the lawyers statements Of any finan-
cial settlement. Monetary matters we're
arranged, it is understood, q year ago
when Mrs. Mackay signed over her title
to the magnificent estate at Roslyn.
L. l.. to her son. This estate was given
by her father-in-law, the late John
w. Mackay Of Bonanza fame. Mr..
Mackay, who u in town with two of
his children. the eldest being at school
In Connecticut. had nothing to add to
the story told by the attorneys. Mrs.
Maclay was still in Paris.
Clarence H. Mackay IL 40 years of
age. He inherited near $50. 900 900 from
his father. Since he came into his
patrimony. II years ago. the head Of
the vast Mackay properties is said to
have almost doubled their worth. He
married Catherine Duer in 1898. She
is the descendant Of an old Knicker-
booker family and the social pyomi-
nence she gained throNSh her 6&auty
and charm as mistress Df. 1he lMAckay
fortune was added to by her ability
as a writer and her interest in socio-
logical and educational problems. In
1904 she published a novel called 1.-The
Stone Of Destiny"
The Mackay children are Catherine
4; Ellen, 10. and John William, 6. Fol
years their marriage was looked upor
in society az an ideal one and the two
took leading part in the more serious
activities that their positions opened tc
them. Mr.. Mackay did much for grand
opera In this country and his wife
found time among her other interests
to support the woman's suffrage move.
ment from which she retired about the
time the first reports came out re-
garding a breach in their relations.