AMERICAN BANKER'S DIVORCE

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXVI, Issue 10403, 17 July 1912, Page 2

AMERICAN BANKER'S DIVORCE

A despatch from Pittsburg recently announced that Mr Andrew Mellon, a banker, probably one of the fifty richest men in America, had secured a divorce from hia wife, a baautifnl young English woman, aud the custody of their two children, Aisba, 10 years of'age, and Peal, aged sis It was when Mr Mellon amended Ilia.bill and sought a divorce oa the ground of desertion that Mrs Mellon decided not io beep up the prolonged light in the courts. St is recalled that Mr and Mrs Mellon separated.ln the autumn of 1909 It was reported that Mrs Mellon, weary cf “smoky, newly-rich Pltinbusrg,’’ longed to be back in' her pleasant English iioma. Mrs MMlan was Miss' Korn Mary McMullen, daughter of a wellknown. brewer, I- Mr Mellon is.president pf Pennsylvania’s greatest financial Institution, the Mellon National Bank. and his wealth ia estimated at £6.000,000. Mrs Molloa’a Introduction to Pittsburg society was an important event. Her youth, beauty, and the Mellon millions gave her a commanding position, and she instantly became popular; Soon after their separation Mr Mellon sued for an absolute divorce. Mrs MalJoa denied her husband's charges, and demanded a trial by jury, and she also mave a strenuous fight for the custody of the children. It was in connection with this case that Mr Alfred George Onrphey, a young Englishman, and bis friend. Dr. Thomas jSirkbrido, went to How York last summer. Onreaching Pittsburg 1 Mr Ourphey was served with a subpoena at the instance of Me Mellon’s lawyers. He did not understand apparently that a subpoena rebaired his immediate presence in Pittsburg, and returned with Dr. Kirhbrida to Hew York, where both men were arrested, as described at the time. The manner of tho arrest, just as the men, in evening dress, were preparing to sit down to dinner at the KitzOarltou Hotel, was much criticised. Both had come here voluntarily from England to testify ca the lady’s behalf, and the action of Mr Mellon's lawyers in securing their arrest on a technical charge was considered somewhat arbitrary. There was Just a possibility of both men passing the night in gaol, but Judge ‘ Mulqneen, of New York, obligingly held a special court in bis club, where be was unearthed shortly, before midnight, and released the visitors on £SOO ball, The sffair was subsequently arranged.