Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1909-11-11
typical parisian N>psterv
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All Paris. always eager to reveI IN
sensations, is alert for the trial Of
Nine. Marguerite Steinheil, charged
with the murder Of her husband and
her mother. The trial began in the as
size court last week, and interest in
the remarkable case has been stimu-
lated by the announcement some days
ago that Nine. Steinheil had won
the sympathy Of the director of the
prison where she is confined, who
proclaimed loudly her innocence. The
significance Of this becomes apparent
when il is recalled that Nine. Stein
he'll has been characterized as
"charner Of men,
30 other mystery Of recent years,
black with crime and red with pas
sion, has so stirred France as this
double murder in which a strange NO-
man with a Kaleidoscope past is
coupled with the names Of dead
president of the republic and a living
king, and who has been brought
from her cell in the prison Of ST. La
zare, the gloomy Paris penitentiary
where women whose evil deeds have
startled the world have been con-
fined, to answer for her life
Political parties have plunged into
the case; the Dreyfus affair has been
TesUscitated and the charge has been
made that government officials have
shielded the woman, so that the af-
fair is more like a political campaign
than a capital case.
Her Power a Mystery.
No one has yet revealed the secret
of Nine. SteinheiPs inexplicable
power over many men. Statesmen of
the highest influence have been her
servants to command fortunes have
been lavished upon her by aristo-
Gratis Of enormous wealth; famous art
lists have acknowledged her spell. A
library Of conjecture has been writ
ten about her but the true story is
more remarkable than the creations
OF imaginative Partisan journalists.
After a fashion it is the story of
Du Barry or La POmpadoUr, with the
stage setting in republic instead of
kingdom. She was Marguerite
Japy, daughter Of eminently respect
able parents and granddaughter of one
Of the prominent manufacturers OF
France, whose establishments in
BayOnne still bear her name.
AS a girl Marguerite Japy lived in
the little town of BeaucOurt. She
was not very strong and was sent to
the south for her health when still a
child. That visions of her future per
turbed her is evident from the con-
fessiOn that when she met Adolphe
Stetnheil while he was painting fres-
Goes in Bayonne church and fell in
love with her she married him be
cause she wished to go to Paris and
mlngle in the gay world there
Steinheil was the son of a painter
and nephew of the iIustrious Meis-
sonnier so he had the entree to the
inner circles Of one of the most de-
Iightful groups Of Paris society. I'm
mediately Nine. Steinhei began ne
woman's campaign for power. Literary
and artistic lights were not enough
for her shrine. She soon became
notable figure in high political and iu-
dicial society il the capital. Her hus-
hand was invited to the most excIus-
i've official receptions, and it was no
secret that he was asked because of
his fascinating young wife.
She Meets President Faure.
Nine. Steinheil started her own
salon that vain ambition which has
been for so many French women the
lure of the flame for the moth ever
since the wise old adys of Nine.
de Stael
Everybody came when Nine. Stein
he'll invited. Money was spent Law
ishly, though her husband was poor.
He mortgaged his home in the I'm
passe Ronsin. He was hard pressed.
Then came brighter if not better DAYS.
Nine. Steirheil struck at the most
glitteriug target. She was introduced
to Felix Faure, president of France.
by NJ. Lemercier a Judge.
The president was subjugated by
her indetinable charm. He gave an
order for a portrait to AdoIphe Stein
he'll His visits to the SteinheiI home
did not cease when the portrait was