The New York herald., 1921-03-03
STEICHENS FAILED
TWICE AT SUICIDE
Artist, Charged With Desert
inc Wife for Miss Beckett,
Tells of Quarrels.

married life that contained quar-
rels and chickering's and at least two at
tempts at double suicide" was reviewed
yesterday by Edward A. Steichen, artist
husband OF Mrs Clara A. Steichen. who
is suing Miss Marion II. Beckett for
5000, 900 for alleged alterations OF his
affections Steichen, questioned by Her
bert Smyth, attorney for Miss Beckett.
testified that he was Al years old and
had been an artist for twenty-five years.
He declared that his wife constantly
with other women. He told of an Incl
dent in 1905. when. after developing
some pictures in a dark room. Mrs.
Steichen came in and examined some
plates.
Mrs. Steichen said I refused to show
her some of the plates" said Steichen.
"She snatched phial and drank from
it, Our little daughter Mary was
standing near. l became desperate and
also drank from the phial. 1t only con-
tanned crystals and physician treated
Mrs. Steichen.
ION another occasion in Voulangis
the name of a mutual friend came up
between is. Mrs. Steichen followed me
about the house and refused to let me
alone / jumped into cistern of water
and Mrs. Steichen followed me.
How deep was the water?" asked
Mr.. Smyth.
Three feet" answered Steichen. Il
thought it was deeper"
Steichen testified that he first met
Miss Beckett in 1910 and saw her later
In youlangis.
Mrs. Steichen asked me if she should
invite Miss Beckett and Mr.. Rhodes to
our home. and ! said: I don't give a
49, Il n Il. u t.-r
when the guests arrived my daughter
met them at the door and repeated what
had said"
Mr.. Steichen denied that he had ever
met Miss Beckett alone. MY whole
married life has been a repetition Of the
song she has told here" Steichen con-
tinued. There was never any charge
Of immortality. though my wife was jeal-
Gus of everybody who was good looking.
wealthy or talented. She was jealous OF
my affection for my mother"
Mrs. Steichen, recalled to the stand.
testified that she met her husband at
the Grand Central Sation when she re-
turned from France in 1Rl7.
HE took me and the children to his
studio" she said. when we got there
our daughters pointed at him and ad-
mired his uniform. said: My family
has been in the American uniform in
every war since the Revolution. I am
proud OF the uniform.
MY daughter Kate then called her
father aside and whispered with him.
lie returned to me and said, I am
going to do something very nice. ! am
going to kiss mother He kissed me.
but / did not return It, Then he knelt
down beside our other daughter Mary
and told ner that he did not want the
children to believe there was anything
between him and Marion Beckett.
II said, I still continue to believe
there was something between you and
Miss Beckett
Mrs. Steichen said that talk of a di-
vorce followed and Steichen told her
he would let her get a divorce on the
grounds OF desertion provided there was
no scandal.
Mrs Elizabeth Stieglitz of 80 East
Sixty-fifth street. who took care OF all
Of the Steichen children for five years.
testified that she told Mrs. Steichen
she did not approve OF the suit and
did not believe the question OF money
should be brought into IL. She said
Mrs. Steichen replied. But | want the
money"
Mrs Charlotte Paddock. Mrs. stei-
chens sister, recalled to the stand,
testified that on one occa sion Steichen
told her that Surrogate Beckett. the
defendants father. wrote him 10 90
back TO his wife In France, but he re-
fused because "she Is a damned old
fool"
The case will be summed Zip and pre-
sented to the jury to-day.