The Washington times., 1894-08-07
OTHER SIDE OF THE STORY.
Husbands Statements and Files
Bill for Divorce.

81 want to make correction of something
in this paper-this article here said Mrs.
Sophia Steele, wife OF Engineer Rush C.
Steele, yesterday. whose domestic troubles
were detailed in The Times of Sunday last
Mrs. Steele called at The TINES Office yes
terday. Her right eye was much discolcred
and she said she bore the marks of her irate
husbands fingers upon her throat.
Upon being asked why she had not given
her version Of the affair TO the reporter when
he called upon her prior to the publication.
she said she was not then in proper frame OF
mind to make "A statement. but had called for
the purpose of correcting some misstaiements.
Mrs. Steele then said: My husband did not
slap me, but he beat me till l was black and
blue. and choked me. The marks left by his
blows and his fingers are still to be seen on
my face and neck. lie drove me from the
house and l had TO leave in my night clothes.
/ went first 10 the police station to have nv
husband arrested. but the police would not
act without a warrant.
II want TO say that | was never acquainted
with the first Mrs. Steele and was never her
servant, nor was ever a barmaid in Paris.
1 had been in Washington only one week
when l married Mr.. Steele. / had met him
in New York.
my income from my husband was only $50
per month, and he did not pay the rent.
What he gave me can be shown at the Navy
pay office. where the allotment was made.
THE furniture in my house was paid for
out of my own money, earned by hard work.
which l had on deposit in a New York bank.
Il never mistreated Mr.. Steele's children.
They were pretty bad. and sometimes needed
strapping but the strap | used was made by
my husband. He used to whip the children
with it severely. and l have at times inter
fered TO protect them. The children were
never starved, either. 1 am fond of good
things TO eat and always provided plentifuIly.
and gave the children all they wanted of the
same kind of food had for myself
The statement that l used indecent Ian
guage in presence of the children is an IN
truth. If there was any profane language
overheard it was when my husband was at
home, and that was a month and half after
the warrant for my arrest was issued. When
the warrant was served on me ! was alone.
with no one to advise me what 10 DO. my
husband was away, and so, rather than to ap-
pear in court, l forfeited the collateral
which was 50. / was never in a court in my life.
Il never had any intention of clipping with
any man. The only man other than my hus-
band who ever visited my house was friend
to give me advice in the troubles made for
me by my roomers."
Mrs. Steele yesterday fled a bill in equity
against her husband. alleging cruel treat
ment. threats. intoxication and her fear of
personal violence as the basis for her appli-
cation for divorce and independent alli-
mony. Mrs. Steele gave her maiden name as
Jansen, aud says she was married to defend
ant April 90. 1892. and lived with him as his
lawful wife until on Saturday last. August 4,
when her husband returned home. after being
absent from the city on "a cruise. and after
abusing her and driving her from the house
clad in her sleeping attire he removed her
furniture. clothing and all her belongings to
a place where she cannot obtain custody of
them. She asks that an order be issued TO
restrain Mr.. Steele from disposing of her
personal effects