The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-12-24
DIR. JOHN R. HOPKINS
Is SUED FOR DIVORCE
Father of Russell Hopkins Made
Fortune Taking Kinks From
Negroes Hair.
SON WE'LL KNOWN HERE

An order signed yesterday by Supreme
Court Justice Giegerich permitting the
fling of the complaint and answer In a
suit for divorce brought last August by
Mrs. McKie Bennett Hopkins against John
Randolph Hopkins discloses that the de-
PENDANT named is a we'll known and
wealthy resident of Atlanta, Ga, and
father Of Russell Hopkins. who has q
town house at 2 East Fifty-Hfth street
and a country place adjoining Mrs. Helen
Gould Shepard's estate at 1rvington.
The complaint was served on Hopkins
on August &c last and under the rules OF
tho Supreme Court II should have been
filed within three days. His answer was
served at once by his attorney. william
Hartman Black. on his wife's attorneys.
OGorman. Battle & Vandiver. The attor-
neys neglected to file these papers within
the time required. and accordingly per-
mission was obtained yesterday to put
them on record as of the date wher they
should have been filed The complaint
and answer have not yet been filed and
the attorneys In the case refused to dis
cuss the charges on which the suit Is
| brought.
Or. John Randolph Hopkins Is little
known here except as the father OF Rus
sell Hopkins. but he is wealthy. and &C.
cupcs an elaborate residence at Peachtree
| and Baker streets. Atlanta DR.. Hopkins
laid the foundation of his fortune by
/ making a preparation to be sold to negroes
| to take the kinks out OF their hair. and
| Il was said that at one time nearly every
| negro preacher In the South was agent
I for the preparation.
| Dr. Hopkins and his wife went to At
| lanta from Mississippi some years ago and
| he then made fortunate real estate In
vestments which have increased his for
tune 4 despatch from Atlanta last night
stated that until n year ago Mr.. Hopkins
| and his wife were supposed to be living
| happily together. but Mrs. Hopkins then
! came to New York to visit her son and
4 has not returned. Or. Hopkins has since
been living In his large mouse alone. and
| one OF his peculiarities has been TO kecr
the house brilliantly lighted all night.
II was understood IN Atlanta some
months ago that Mrs. Hopkins Intended
to sue for divorce, but DR., Hopkins
declined to discuss the case. except 10
gay that he would fight against paying
large allmony. lie declared that hi.
wifes res dence In New York had spoiled
her, and that she had kept spies watch
ing him for months It Is understood
that Mrs Hopkins charged her husband
with misconduct in New York. Atlanta
and Philadelphia.
When Russell Hopkins lived with his
parents in Atlanta he kept small
::,c-c .c-lc - ,he -.a~ ~ tho Vi nkins
residence. The neighbors complained, and
he was fined for maintaining a nuisance.
While IN New York on visit In 1906
he married Vera Siegrist, a seventeen
year-old schoolgirl. who Is heir to So
100000 estate left by her grandfather.
Dr. Joseph J. Lawrence. patent med
cne manufacturer. She met Hopkins on
a yacht he had chartered. and trey went
UP the Hudson to Peekskin. where a
Clergyman was called on board to marry
them.
After the marriage Hopkins established
a country place. Neruselle. at irwin gton,
and now maintains a menagerie there.
He announced a few years aeo that he
had taken out a Lloyds insurance policy
against assassination.