GREAT HEIRESS’ WEDDING.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9423, 20 April 1909, Page 7

GREAT HEIRESS’ WEDDING.

OHASB OF BRIDAL OAR. Without, any off the ostentation ' ■which generally marks the mar - riages of wealthy Americans, Miss Sylvia Green, daughter of Mrs Hetty Green, the world’s richest woman, was wedded at Morristown, New jersey, to Mr Matthew Astor Wilks, a grandson of John Jacob Astor. Bat, though there was no display, the wedding gave rise to an extraordinary scene—or, rather, senes of scenes. ..Since Mrs Green’s unsatisfactory experience of a life of luxury in one of New York’s leading hotels she and her daughter have lived in HohOken,'which is to New York what Olerkenwell is to Loudon, and when it was known that the marriage was to take place, a cordon of journalists and photographers was drawn around the district. Night and day watch was kept on the Green’s house, and thus it was ‘ that when at six o’clock on the Monday morning a four-wheeler drew up at theif door there were a number of newsgetters there, too. Presently Mrs Green, who bears her 80 years wonderfully well, came out to the cab, closely followed by her daughter. The horse was a good one, and the couple were soon speeding towards tbe railway station 1 . For a moment the reporters were nonplussed. Then they oonuuaadeered three milk carts in the vicinity (promising the drivers liberal compensation), and were soon in hot pursuit. The clatter of the vehicles and the shouting brought wondering people to their doors. Many, not knowing the cause of the clamour, joined in the chase, yelling, “Stop thief!” This brought the police on the scene, and they ' stopped the - carts, hut withdrew whdzi explanations wore made. This stoppage, though, had given the pursued a few minutes’ grace, and they reached tbe station a little in advance of their pursuers, who found their quarry safely esconoed in a private car, the blinds drawn and the doors bolted. The invited gnests were already In the train, which steamed out as the last of the crowd poured into the station yard. A SIMPLE WEDDING. By the first available train the reporters were on their track, and their perseverance was rewarded, for they were in Morristown in time for the wedding. This, however, was mainly because on reaching Morristown the Green party drove to a suburban inn, where the clergyman and the bridegroom were awaiting them, and a short delay ensued before they proceeded to the church, thus giving the journalists time to reach, the town. ' There were no bridesmaids, and the bride, who was simply dressed in a brown wakling costume and white hat and boa, was given away by her cousin, Tbe ceremony was very brief, and in a few minutes Miss Sylva Green,' heiress to a fortune of £IOOO a day, had become Mrs Matthew Wilks . Mr Wilks is 65 years old, while his wife is only half that age. From time to time during the past few years there been rumours of impending betrothal to various scions of noble European families, bnt all the while, unknown to the public, Mr Wilks has been a constant suitor. He is a well known figure both in business and social circles. Recently Mrs Hetty Green, finding that her daughter's heart reciprocated the affection of Mr Wilks, questioned tho ■ wooer as to his prospects, and he confessed to the possession of over a million dollars. One of his sisters is the wife of an officer in the British army medical service. His acceptance by Miss Green was satisfactory not only to himself but to Mrs Green, who baa long declared that she would prefer her daughter and her money to go to a plain Amerioan-gentleman rather than to some high titled product of Europe. The only things that worried Mrs Green was Mr Wilks’ age, and the fact that he had goat, and with characteristic frankness she had spoken to him oh these points. He took it all in good part. “I ana young in heart if somewhat mature in years, ’ ’ he said. Since the marriage of Fraulein Krnpp and Miss Gladys Vanderbilt Miss Green has been the richest heiress in the world. Her mother’s fortune is estimated at anything between £4,000,000 and £13,000,000, and there are only two children—Monday’s bride and her brother.