St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-11-29
AIRED IN COURT.
The Family Skeletons of the |
Steiner Family.

The Family Skeletons of the
Steiner Family.
Jacob r. Steiner, an insurance agent,
applied to the probate court to have a
guardian appointed for his wife. He
alleged that by reason of her being adj
dicted to excessive indulgence in strong
drink and lavish expenditure of money
she is not capable of handling her estate.
The hearing was had before Judge
Olivier yesterday afternoon. Mrs. Jo-
hanna Steiner is a young woman of
quite prepOssessing appearance, and is
daughther of the late Michael O'COn-
nor, a former prominent citizen of the
West side. and is heir to portion of his
estate. Two young children were pres
ent in the court room and ran around
the room, prattling and unconscious of
the nature of the proceeding. They would
divide their intentions about equally
betw cen the father and mother in an
atfectiOnate way. Mrs. Steiner dis
played considerable agitation at the
hearing. as did also her mother and one
or two other ladies who attended at
the hearing. The husband testified to
his wife's weakness for insoXicantS, and
also put Officer HenneSsy on the stand
TO prove that his wife would frequently
be drunk. MIR. Steiner also stated that
his wife had pawned b eT watch and the
baby carriage and had sold a stove for
9. Two weeks ago he found her lying
III manger in his barn in all intOxi-
Gated condition. Upon cross examin-
alton he denied that he had kicked her
when lying in the manger, but admitted
that he had pushed her with
cursed and swore at him. She had
been on a protracted spree. At his re
quest Relief Agent Hutchins had in
vestigated the condition of his wife and
children as to their needs of sustenance.
On recommendation n of the relief agent
he allowed his family IS a week for sup-
port. That was two years ago, but
since then the allowance had been cut
down to $3.50 per week. He had not
given his wife any money personally
for two years.
Mr.. and Mrs. Steiner have not been
living together since they had family
difference. The court was asked to APP
point Relief Agent Hutchins as the
guardian.
After hearing the testimony in favor
of the petition, Judge McCatferty
moved to dismiss the proceeding. claim
ing that 1t had not been shown that the
woman is spendthrift or had been
furnished means to spend recklessly.
Judge OllVler gave each or the parties
some fatherly and wholesome advice,
in which he intimated that Meth er hus-
band nor wife had behaved properly.
He suggested that they had TWO bright
little children that ought to be effective
in restoring cordial relations between
the parents. Mrs. Steiner was asked to
he domestic and abstemiOus: Mr..
Steiner was told that his treatment of
his wife was probably responsible for
her demeanOr and that to treat her well
and provide tor her support in nat
ural way would probably result in re-
moving imperfections in her demeanor.
Judge Olivier added that they had gone
through trying lesson and he hoped
they would profit by experience. He
then dismissed the proceedings.
Mrs. Steiner thanked Judge Olivier
very heartily for the course he pursued
and the advice he gave, and. taking her
children, left the court room.