New-York tribune., 1910-06-09
FANNIE S. STEELE DEAD
Had Been Sued by italian Tenor
for Breach of Promise.
WILL LEAVES HIM $4,000
Death of Former New York
Woman in Chicago Becomes
Known Through Will.

Chicago, June S.-The sudden death of
Mrs. Fannie s. Steele in Chicago hotel on
Monday became known to-day when Mrs
Steele's will was fled in the probate court
Edgar r. Accetta. of New York, an Ital-
ian tenor singer, who. il was reported, sued
her for 100000 for breach of promise some
time ago. receives $4,000 by Mrs. Steele's
will The estimated value Of Mrs. Steele's
estate is s500,o5g
Accetta was in Chicago on Monday. and
is said to have been at Mrs. Steele's bedside
when she died. Her death is reported by
the hotel physicians to have been caused
by apoplexy.
Accompanied by Miss Kate McArdle, who
had been her companion for twenty-three
years Mrs. Steeh came to Chicago from
her home in New York ten days ago to at
tend to business affairs. She had $4,000 in
a steel box in her room when she died.
Shortly after the death of her husband,
fifteen years ago Mrs. Steele became en-
gagged to marry Accetta. She then broke
the engagement, telling Accetta he would
ruin his Hfe by marrying woman of her
years Accetta then sued her for breach OF
promise in the New York courts. The suit
was settled out o. court on an agreement
that Accetta should receive an annual in
come and s25 900 at Mrs. Steele's death.
The larger part of Mrs. Steele's estate is
left to Elmer f. Earl West Troy, \. Y,
cousin and memter of the firm of Earl &
Wilson Ex-Judse Nash lockwood, sara
toga Springs, N Y, one of the executors
of the estate. receives $4,000 by the Will
Miss McArdle, Ms. Steele's companion, re-
ceives 5000 jewery and personal effects.
Assistant States Attorney Nicholas
TrF.-- rf,e.a rfr,y-= fNF
the Steele estate. took charge of Mrs.
Steele's affairs Immediately following her
death. He fled the will and also took
charge of the $4,000 IN currency found in
Mrs. Stee1e's room. Michels stated that
Mrs. Steele owned Chicago downtown prop
erty valued at $4,000.
According to Michels, Accetta arrived IN
Chicago last Saturday on his way to st.
Paul. He called Mrs Steele at her no
tel. Learning that she was i'll, he aban-
doned his trip and spent much time with
her.
Early last Sunday morning. Accetta was
walking with PHILIPPE Catalano, a Chicago
acquaintance. when Catalano was shot and
instantly killed by an unidentified italian.
Accetta was arrested and held by the po-
lice as a witness until after the inquest
into Catalanos murder. He sent word OF
his predicament to Mrs. Steele. and physi-
clans say chat the shock OF this news has
tened Mrs. Steele's death.
Accetta hastened to the hotel after he
vas released by the police and found Mrs
Steele in semi-cOnsciOus condition. She
died later in his presence.
Mrs Steele was born in Chicago, being
a daughter of the late Samuel SUrdam,
wholesale hardware dealer. She was first
married here forty years ago to Alexander
Steele. her fathers business partner. When
Steele died, fifteen years since. she went to
New York. where ten years ago she was
married to DR.. William Bradley. She was
divorced from DR.. Bradley two years later,
resuming the name of Steele. For several
years Mrs. Steele made her home at the
Wilbraham Apartment Hotel, Fifth ave
nue. and 30th street.
Elmer F.. Earl, Mrs. SteeIe's cousin. came
here from his home at East Troy. y. Y,
but whether before or after her death could
not be learned. Earl refused to see any
one tonight
Mr.. Miches said that Mrs. Steele had
come to Chicago to draw a new Will. He
said, however. that he had delayed in TAX
ing up the work With her because of pres
sure of work In the Lee O'Neil Browne al
legged bribery trial.
Mr.. NllcheIs also said that Mrs. Steele
drew the $4,000 from New York bank
just before her departure for Chicago. He
also admitted that he had heard Mrs.
Steeles relatives desired her to cut Ac-
cetta's name from her will.
Asked if he thought Mrs. Steele had OBJ
tanned the money to pay Accetta, and thus
close her obligation to him. Mr.. Michels
said he was undecided.
A police theory is that Accetta may have
stopped in Chicago to get the $4,000 in cash
from Mrs Steele and that information re-
garding the rumored settlement got abroad.
They think that a result CatalanO was
murdered by a man who believed that Cat
alamo and Accetta were then in possession
of the large sum which Mrs. Steele brought
with her from New York.