New-York tribune., 1918-08-21
Caruso WEEDS
New York Girl
Quietly Here
Dorothy Park Benjamin Be-
comes Bride of Noted
Italian Opera Star

o. Enrico Caruso, most famous of ten
ors, and Miss Dorothy Park Benjamin,
daughter of Park Benjam of 270
West Seventy-third Street, were mar
ried yesterday at the Marble Collegiate
Church, 1 West Twenty-ninth Street.
Announcement of the wedding came as
surprise to the thousands of friends
of the singer.
Word of the wedding was first made
public by Caruso himself early last
evening 1t was a bare announcement
Of the fact
Nor was much further information
available later in the evening. Carusc
ard his bride shut themselves in his
apartment, on the ninth floor of the
Hotel Knickerbocker, Broadway and
Forty-second Street, and refused them
selves to all callers.
Too Excited to Talk
He finally sent word by the manager
Of the hotel that he would like to see
the reporters, but that he was too ex-
citedxo trust his scant English in an
interview. He begged them to excuse
him on the plea that it was his we'd
ding night.
The brief announcement made by
Caruso earlier in the day stated that
the ceremony had been performed by
the Rev. Oliver Paul Barnhill. Bruno
Zirato, who has been personal secre-
tary to Caruso for number Of years,
acted as best man and Mrs. John S.
yer, was matron Of honor.
The license was obtained early in
the afternoon, the small party going
down to Clerk Scullys Office in the
singers big limousine, slipping quiet
ly into the Office and stealing away
again unobserved. Following the cere-
mony at the church no time was lost
in hurrying to r. the Knckerbocker,
where the wedding supper was served
to five people.
Mr.. Keith was prevented from at
tending by work. Last night he said
that the wedding was quite as much a
surprise to him as it must have been
to every one else.
"It has been no secret to the close
friends Of Mr.. Caruso," said Mr.. Keith,
"that he has been paying ardent atten-
tion to Miss Benjamin for some time.
In fact, there was talk of their being
married for some time, but | did not
| expect it to take place at present.
Bride Is Beautiful Girl
'Miss Benjamin is beautiful girl.
| She is tall, graceful and athletic. She
has very light brown hair and won
derful complexion. She ls typical
American girl. Besides being accom-
plished at all outdoor sports, she is we'll
read and is delightful companion.
"When the question of marriage first
came up, remember Mr.. Caruso said
one night he had chosen Miss Benjamin
! from among girls Of all nationalities he
had met, because he had grown to love
the American people better than those
of any other nation on the GLOBE
The summer home of Mr.. and Mrs.
Benjamin is at Spring Lake, N. j.
Over the long distance telephone last
night Mrs. benjamin would not dis
cuss the wedding Of her daughter at
length.
~ really don't care to say anything
about ~ Mrs. Benjamin said when
asked If she was pleased at the mar
riage. Finally she did say:
"Mr. Caruso was our guest here this
GUNNER. He and my daughter have
been acquainted three of four years.
"Who's Who in 1918" states that
Caruso was born in Naples, February
25, 1873 The brief paragraph follow
ing his name in that volume says he is
married. misstatcment which un-
doubtedly had considerable to do with
the general impression that he was q
married man.
The romance that is popularity sup
posed to color the adventures of oper-
attic stars has not been altogether lack
ing in tho history Of Caruso.
He was named in breach of prom
ise suit for 100000 in 1914 by Mis-,
Mildred Mcffert, a New York woman
The case was compromised for $4,000
and in return the tenor received 4
packet of letters which attorneys were
preparing to introduce in the trial.
Elisa Gianel!i, Milanesc shop girl
recovered judgment against him il
1913, but the decision wss reversed b.
sn Appellate court. On this occasion
the court admonished the singer in q
long. written opinion on the dangers oi
c0urtabip.
, Four years previous Caruso bccam.
involved in legal proceedings with sig.
nora Ada Ciachett.. a Milsnese primu
donna, who followed him to the United
= statcs ~ his profcsscd fancac. She
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