Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1899-06-01
The Braun -SteelSmith Case.

/ The most sensational trial OF any sort
ever held in Butler county was that of
Mrs. Sadie Braun, by her father and
next friend Amos Steelsmith vs Vim.
/ Braun, libel in divorce.
The case was taken up in our Court
before Judge Barker, last Friday morn
ing, and the following jury was select
| ed
Benson Shrader, OF Butler: j. II.
Francis and Josiah Adams, of Slippery
rock twp; Elmer BARLEY, of Penn twp;
j. j Fielder. of Harmony Grant Flem-
ing of Buffalo twp; John J. Hesselges-
ser, of Winfield twp; John Leise, of
Cranberry twp John McClain, of Done
gal twp; James Robinson, of Como.
quenessing twp; Grafton Shorts, of
Penn twp; and J. H. WATSON, of Wash
ington twp
The history of the trial can best be
told by giving brief history of the
joint lives OF w F. and Sadie Braun as
it was made public on the witness
stand In 1894 Sadie Steels mith, then
10 years old attended w F. Brauns
dancing academy on Highland Ave,
Pittsburg. The two became engaged
against their parents wishes, eloped 10
Michigan and were married there.
Later Mr. Steelsmith took Mr.. Braun in
to the oil business with him and nice
home on West jefferson street was built
for his son-in law. In 1896 a daughter,
Elizabeth, was born to the Brauns.
During Mr.. Brauns absence in 1897
his wife became too intimate with Elmer
c. Blue, ball player, wrestler and all
around sporting man. About Feb 9,
1898 she and Blue disappeared and a
day or two later her father found his
daughter stopping with Nettie Rick
man, sister of Blue, in a house in
Chicago. Shortly after this Braun had
Blue arrested at Braeburn, Pa, on
charge of desertion, preferred by Blues
Chicago wife On trial of this charge
he was acquitted.
About the first of March, 1898
reconciliation was effected between the
Brauns and in the presence of his
attorneys, Murphy and Forquer, Mr..
Braun signed and was sworn to a paper
drawn up by Mr.. Galbreath. in effect
exonorating ais wife of any misconduct
with Blue
The Brauns then went TO Pittsburg
and on April 10, 1898 took a furnished
house at 5441 Penn Ave. On June %,
1898 Mr. Braun started fine drug store at
Sixth St. and Duquesne Way, Pittsburg.
Mrs Braun helped in the store. OnOct
20, 1898 Mrs Braun came home with
her child, Elizabeth, and shortly after
wards filed her libel in divorce.
She charged Braun with habitually
using obscene. profane and Insulting
language to her. with tearing waist
off her, TO get a letter, with choking Der,
with forcing her to take medicines to
produce an abortion, ard with criminal
ly associe ling with Lillian Hostetter
who lived above the pharmacy, and
Alberta Black About fifty Pittsburg
witnesses attended the trial and all
these things were sworn to as being true
and not true by the respective sides.
On January 3, 1899, Mrs. Braun gave
birth to twins, and Mr.. Braun disclaim-
ed the paternity of these children He
charged his wife with unfaithfulness
while living in Pittsburg
On Monday afternoon a number
of witnesses testified that they would
not believe Braun, while others
said that his reputation for truth and
veracity was good.
Tuesday morning j. NJ Galbreath
presented the law points for the plain
tiff and Lev McQuistion for the defend
ant Attorneys Watson and Forquer
argued to the jury for the defendant
| and Thompson for the plaintiff. Judge
Barker's charge occupied about an hour
| and the jury retired shortly after noon.
After being out two hours the Court
House bell called for court again, the
jury came in, and their verdict was re-
corded for the plaintiff, granting a
| divorce
Judge Barker has won the respect and
admiration of all the Butler Bar by his
fine professional conduct of this trial.
Judge Barker left town Tuesday
| afternoon on the 2:35 train without
making the usual decree granting the
| divorce on payment of costs; and the
| Brauns will still be man and wife until
| that decree is filed
Teachers Examinations next, and
| then the 4th of July.
| e. Evans and Son have something
new to say to our readers about bicycles
and repairs this week.
| The trustees of the u p church
have elected Mr. Flemming to succeed
j. b. Mathers as janitor.
The graduating class of the Gram
mar Grade have their Closing Exercises
in Park Theatre this afternoon.
A midnight customer of A. NJ Rel
Der q Bros store stole a lot of black
silk, the change in the money drawers
and some stamps.
If you go to Cambridge Springs
this summer you will find the New
Cambridge the incest place in town
to stop at-,Everything new excellent
table, and reasonable rates. See Card.
The taxpayers of Butler are very
proud of and haye great affection for
their public schools-the Commence
ment exercises Of which probably equal
those of any set of schools in the coun
try.
"A crowd of Butler ball players
went to West Sunbury, Decoration Day
and were trimmed by the country boys
10 to 3. @. L. Smith twirled for Butler
and was hit very hard in the first inn
. ing. Next day the Butler artists, whc
, had done no other playing this year
/ were very tiff and sore.
The Pennsylvania Ran road 1870!
Summer Excursion Route
e Book.
On June the Passenger Departme n
of the Pennsylvania Railroad Compan,