New-York tribune., 1919-12-29
Woman Claims
DIR. Vermilye
AS Husband
Harrisburg Matron Says
Physician Who Dodged
Wedding Here Has Lived
Will, Her for 25 Years

Dr.. William Grey Vermilyc, the
physician who was found in the Cum
berland Street Hospital, Brooklyn, af-
ter failing to appear, it is said, on his
wedding day, was faced yesterday with
the claim of woman residing in Har-
rsburg, Pa, that she is his legal wife
When the report, confirmed locally, was
sent to the Doctors bedside, he refused
to deny it or to comment on it in any
way.
Miss Ruth M. Keeney, of Monson
Mass, who collapsed at the hospital
after the surgeon had refused to tell
why he had Tilted her. left the institu
ton yesterday morning, accompanied
by her father, George L. Keeney, a
retired druggist.
Mr.. Keeney said as far as he knew
no legal action would be taken in his
daughters behalf, and he would take
his daughter home to forget the an
guish of the past few days. The we'd
ding was to have taken place at Mon
son on Christmas Day, Just about the
same time as the surgeon walked into
the hospital and entered as patient.
His Wife for IS Years.
The Mrs. William Grey Vermilye, of
Harrisburg, declared the surgeon had
been living constantly with her for
twenty five years, except when he was
in war service abroad She charged
that Miss Keeney knew that the doctor
was married.
dispatch from Harrisburg last
night said Mrs. Vermilye, who has been
visiting married daughter there
probably would return to New York
shortly. She lived, up to a few months
ago, at 1893 Pacific Street, Brook lyn
with son by a former marriage.
At that address yesterday young
woman who said she was Mrs. Yer
mllye's daughterin-law confirmed the
reports from Harrisburg. She said it
was true that the Mrs Vermilye of
Harrisburg is the wife of the doctor in
the Cumberland Street Hospital. She
said the couple had lived in Pacific
Street until five months ago, when the
doctor went into the transport serv-
ice and the wife moved to Pennsylvania
Are they still married ?" was asked
Yes,' the woman replied "They
have not been divorced"
DO you know Miss Keency?"
Il never have seen her, but have
X
Doctor in Good Spirits
At the hospital yesterday DR.. Yer.
milye was said to be in good spirits
He called for all the Sunday newspa.
pers and peruscd carefully the accounts
OF his adventures. Before he did that
however. he gave strict orders to the
hospital officials that he didn't want to
be annoyed with communications from
newspaper men or 0DV ono ,lcp
The hospital authorities continued tc
shroud in mystery the nature of the
allment which brought the physician, d
man OF reputed means. to a charity in
stitutlon, where he is placed in large
ward, without special attention
HARRISBURG. Dec. 2s.-Mrs. Will
lam Grey Vermilye, who says she is
the wife of the Brooklyn physician
who disappeared on Christmas Eve
when supposedly on his way to wed
Miss Ruth M. Keeney, of Monson
Mass, and was subsequently found in
a Brooklyn hospital, declined tonight
to make any statement in regard tc
Dr.. Vermilye's affairs.
Mrs. Nermilye has been here fol
some time on a visit to her married
daughter, and it was said she prob
ably would return to New York shortly
Major E. r. Baines, her son=in-law
said Mrs. Vermiye never had heard
of Miss Keeney before learning of hel
intended. marriage and that the fam
lily was awaiting developments.
1t was said at the home of Mrs. Yer.
milye's daughter that DR.. Vermilye had
visited here about three months age
and that he had kept in constant touch
with Mrs. Vermilye by mail. the lates,