Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-08-11
THE sKEES SCANDAL.
Serious Charges Against Treasury Employe-
Denials by the Alleged Offender.
TIE wIFE's VERSION.

bCu1oAS W Suc A11cScQ VUc00cfs
TIE wIFEs VERSION.
stephen ID. Skeen, foreman of the laborers at
the Treasury department, is to be officially in
vestlgated- The charges against him involve
the most outrageous conduct on his part to-
wards his family. It is charged that he has
treated his wife and family in a most brutal and
shameful manner, while living in the same house
with them on terms Of intimacy with a young
woman named Elizabeth McCulloch who has
Ior some time had charge OF the waste paper
room under Skeen. Skeen has resided until re-
Gently at 1924 14th street northwest. His al
legged brutal treatment of his wife and intimacy
with the young woman named have been mat
tiers OF gossip among his neighbOrs for long
time.
The story as learned from persons acquainted
with the family is follows: Skeen, it is stated
has for several years treated his wife badly.
though only within the last few months has he
been positively brutal. About five months ago.
it is charged, he introduced Miss McCullOch
into his house as boarder, and since then the
wife has suffered from neglect and inhuman
| treatment. few weeks ago, while she was
confined to her bed, having given birth to a
beat her terribly. The baby shortly afterwards
died. Another statement is that a few days
ago. while Skeen was beating his wife, his
eldest son, boy Is years cid. interfered in her
pehaf. Turning upon the bOy Skeen beat him
SO terribly that his head was covered
the family broke up. Mrs. Skeen left the house.
ana TOOK refuge with a neighbOr. 1t is stated
that Skeen drove her from the honse. having
administered to her a terrible castigatiOn. Mrs.
Skeen Kept her little girl with her. but her other
two children. both boys were taken away by
Skeen, who also left the house, taking away the
furniture and other goods. Mrs. Skeen's friends,
who relate the version above given, are very in
dignant over the alleged repeated Outrages per-
petrated upon her.
few days ago the wife of Skeen made COM
plant to the chief clerk of the Treasury depart
ment, that Miss McCulloch had supplanted her
in the affections of her husband. the result
being that Skeen violated his marital VOWS and
failed to provide for her. Further. that Miss
McCullOch was an inmate of theirhOme, and had
been invited their by its head
WHAT sKEEN SAYS
On the other hand. Skeen says that Miss McCul-
lOch was merely bOarder at his house, that she
was quite poor and unable to pay much for
board. and with the full consent of his wife Miss
McC. became bOarder. The money paid there
for was given to the wife. Further. Skeen AYERS
that his wife is historical. and that for ten years
or more he has been under great domestic diff
ffcnty: and he alleges that his wife has made his
home veritable hell on earth
In Skeens favor the Treasury officials say he
is a faithful and painstaking workman Assist
beth endorse him highly. An investigation will
be made Oh the wife's complaint. Captain CO.
baugh of the Treasury. denies the published
statement that he ever warned Skeen to be
more circumspect in his conduct with the female
employees.
Death Of Eell-known Local Methodist Min
lister.
Rev. Jas. G. Henning. a well-knOwn local min
lister of the Methodist Episcopal church. whose
illness from paralysis has been mentioned in THE
STAR, died about three o'clock yesterday after
noon at his residence on o street, near 4th
northwest. Mr.. Henning was born in Fairfax
county. Va. in May, 1918. and when a youth
about IL years old. was converted at a camp
meeting in that section. When young man he
went to MiddletOwn, Frederick county, Md,
and was engaged i'm a country store for a few
years; then settling in Clarksburg. Md, i'm 1886
he engaged in teaching county school,
the county court, he removed to Rock
vile. and being reelected several times
he filled this Office for twelve years,
till 1868. He then came to Washington and ac-
cepted a cleTkship in the Quartermaster Gene
rails office, which he has filled ever since. Mr.
Henning was before coming here local minister
of the church. and attaching himself to Nc
kendree chapel he was always ready to preach
when called on. For some years he had regu-
lar appointment at what was known then as
Wesley chapel mission. 9th and streets,
now known as Grace NJ. E. church, Rev.
J. w. Smith, pastor. He also filed
for several years the pulpit of the Twelfth-street
(east) church before the conference made it
station. which is now supplied by Rev. Tillot-
son Morgan. Mr.. Hennng was taken sick with
paralysis on August 1st. His right side was
affected. For a time there were indications of
his recovery, but night before last he received
another attack. and at 8 o'clock yesterday morn
ing his case became hopeless He died in about
twelve hours afterward. His funeral will take
place from McKendree Chapel at o'clock, Sun
Gay afternoon
The deceased was one Of the now scarce links
between the Methodist preacher of to-day and
the primitive itinerant. In his pulpit efforts he
always drove home the few points he made
with great energy and JUNCTION, and looked with
large faith for practical results. Though about
20 years of are. he was never sick to require a
physician until his last illness. He left his home
at Rockville, Nd, during the war. to be more
untramelled in the expression of his intense
union sentiments. Perhaps no minister in the
community was more largely or favorably
known.