The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-12-09
WEEDS A PRIEST.
Formerly of Kansas Woman
Creates a Sensation.

Kansas City, Dec. 9.-For the second
time within four months the Roman
Catholics of Kansas City and vicinity
are shocked beyond expression over the
fact that a priest had disregarded his
solemn vows and contracted marriage
Less than four months ago a priest at
Lees Summit married his housekeeper;
on November 10, Father Anthony Po-
Hteo of the parish of st. John the Bap-
fist, Kansas City, Kan, was married in
St. Joseph to woman known as Mrs.
Eva M. Springsteen. He is a Croatian
priest and since he came to Kansas
City early in October has been working
among his countrymen. of whom there
is a large settlement in the packing
house district.
Mrs. Fair came to Kansas City sew
eral weeks ago and registered as COM
ing from Chicago under that name at
the Hotel Savoy She was requested to
leave that hotel about three weeks ago
She went to the Midland hotel week
ago. registering as Mrs Eva M Fair,
Chicago. She received mail under that
name from points in Illinois.
Mrs. Fair or Springsteen, who is said
to have a husband by one of the two
names, met Father Politeo shortly after
he arrived there. Their acquaintance
began when he restored to her a hand
kerchief she dropped in the street. They
walked a few squares together and
chatted and he told her who he was and
where he lived. A few days later she
called at the priests house, AL Ferry
street, Kansas City, Kan.
Father PoIitco is a man of extraor-
binary education, of liberal mind and
advanced thought. He thought he had
found in the subtle. ready-worded Wo-
man a congenial spirit. He told her the
romantic story of his life and laid bare
his plans for the future. The woman
encouraged him. They met often, gem
orally in Kansas City, Mo, and went
too fJ,o,- fOr.I far1cr CT lie al nd car Ri
Cne day the priest told Mrs. Fair he
loved her 1t was his aim, he said, to
renounce his priestly vows at the end of
two years and engage in the practice of
medicine. He proposed a secret mar
riage, to be kept secret until the end of
two years. to which she consented On
Tuesday, November 10, they went to St
Joseph and were married the priest
Eva M Springsteen-
Then they returned to Kansas City, the
bottoms. the woman to the Hotel Savoy.
Two days after the wedding the priest s
tiement She demanded 5000 to help her
keep his secret for two years This
sonabie and baked The bride and groom
finally went to the law. firm of Moves &
the marriage portion question. 1t was
finally agreed to reduce the amount to
600 This amount was to have been
Father Politeo is g years of age; He
IS native OF croatia. he was eklle &c;
that country for political reasons He
fed to Italy. In that country his liberal
utterances resulted in his trial before an
ecclesiastical court. He was acquitted.
Nine years ago he came to the United
States and labored as a missionary priest
in PENNSYLVANIA and New York.
Attorney Noyes of Noyes & Heath said
this morning that Mrs Fair was asked
by the priest Immediately after this mar
riage to live with him as his house
keeper and not appear before the world
as his wife. This She refused to do and
they quarreled. She left him and the ne
sotiations for a settlement began. On one
occasion when they visited the lawyers
they quarreled and she drove him out of
the office
Mr.. Yves said Mrs Fair was willing
to live With the priest his wife if he
would come forward and acknowledge her
as such. If not. said the attorney, suit for
maintenance probably would be brought
The attorney said if Mrs Fair was ever
married he knew nothing of it. She rep
resented herself to him as Miss Fair, and
said her home was in Kansas