The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1922-03-25
CLAIMS HOLLIS
MARRIAGE ILLEGAL
First Wife SAYS She Has Never Been
Divorced - Foreign Divorce Not
Valid In United States.

CONCORD. y. H., March 25-Mrs.
Grace Bruerton Hollis, wife OF former
Senator Henry +. Hollis OF New Hamp-
shire, yesterday issued through her at
torneys formal statement that she has
not been divorced from her husband in
arry proceedings of which she has had
knowledge or notice. Her lawyers add
that if such divorce has been granted
in any country of which Mrs. Hollis IS
not Il resident, or in proceedings to
which she was not a party, 1t can nave
no validity in the United States or any
other country that recognizes interna
tional law.
A despatch from Rome, under date of
last Tuesday. declared that Senator Hol-
lis was married there on that day 10
Miss Anna White Hobbs, a wellllnown
society woman OF this city. who was en-
during the war and remained there fol-
lowing the armistice 1t was declared
thut the religious ceremony was per
formed at the American Methodist
church, and the civil rites were carried
ont at the Cauitol This latter ceremony
was performed by the deputy MAYOR.
Miss Hobbs is daughter of the late
Nathaniel Hobbs and a granddaughter
of Armenia White the original woman
Sutfragist of New Hampshire. She went
to school with Hollis and afterwards
was associated more or less with him in
social activities.
The story of the marriage has created
considerable OF a sensation throughout
New Hampshire and no one here has
any idea where he obtained his divorce,
or when. His last attempt, SO lar as
known he~e in his native city, was
about q wear ago. when he sought a dl-
vorce in France. At that time Mrs Hol-
lis successfully contested he petitIDn..
1t Is thought that he may have gone
to Germany to obtain his decree. II such
is the case. however, it probably cannot
be held binding in any other country.
prominent attorneys say, and the bride
may find herself In the position Of an
unmarried woman if she returns to the
United States. The fact that the cere-
monv was performed bv the Italian au-
thorities apparently indicates that they
did not take pains to investigate thor
Oughly in case of man so prominent as
Senator Hollis.
The married fluctuations of Senator
and Mrs. Hollis have caused much sensa-
tional discussion for several years past.
( They- were married at Norwood. Mass,
! lime II. 1893 and came here to live. Mrs.
Hollis was Grace Bruerton Fisher Two
children, Henry F. Hollis. il, and Anne
Richardson Hollis. were born. The son
became an aviator DURING the war and
was killed. The daughter Is living with
/ Mrs Hollis at Princeton, y. !.
/ In the spring of 1912 Senator Hollis
4 IeIJ his family, anu Hats oilANt II Sb
apart The cause of his action never has
been made public. He was elected
United States senator by the New
Hampshire legislature in 1913. was one
of the outstanding figures of the Wilson
administration, and probably the most
| influential Democrat who ever went to
Washington from New Hampshire.
| On Oct 20. 1915. Mrs Hollis entered a
petition for legal separation from the
senator. in the superior court for Mer-
rimack county. and the order of notice
was made returnable on Nov. Is follow
/ ing On Dee. H. 1915. Mrs. Hollis was
| granted Il decree of legal senaration on
! grounds of abandonment. The decree
| was handed down by Judge Oliver w.
Pranch in the superior court sitting in
/ this citv She was also granted the Gus
lfodv of the DAUGHTER. Anne Richardson
4 Hollis. Under the decree Mrs. Hollis
+ also was awarded $1,000 to reimburse
her for expenses of the suit and for
maintenance from july. 1913 and the
sum of $40 monthly for the support OF
herself and child.