It appears that the siblings of L. Rebekah Steadman (nee Curtiss b.1819) thought it wasn't healthy for her to stay with her husband James Steadman III in McKean, PA. At age 53 she was most likely going through menopause and acting crazy.
Pittsburgh Weekly Gazette (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) - 29
May 1872, Wed. - Page 4
ABDUCTING A WIFE
A Married Lady Stolen
by Relatives – A Curious Case
McKean
Township has had another sensation, thought not of a very virulent kind. Living
there is Mr. James Steadman age 45 or 50, a farmer, of frugal habits. His wife
is daughter of Alfred Curtis, Esq. of that place and she is of weak mind, and
has been partially deranged for some time. Her brother, H. H. Curtis, insurance
agent and Deputy Sheriff of Venango county is resident of Pleasantville where
also resides her sister, Mrs. B. Snell (Small). Mrs. Snell and Mrs. H. H. Curtis visited McKean about a week ago, stopping with Mr. Alfred Curtis, and sent for
Mrs. Steadman. Thinking a change of scene would be beneficial they proposed
that she should return to Pleasantville with them and suggested it to Mr.
Steadman. who objected on account of the expense. They said he should be at no
expense in the matter, but he did not assent to their proposition. However,
they subsequently induced Capt. Daniel Marsh to drive them and Mrs. Steadman
with them to the Waterford depot and then telegraphed to Mr. H. H. Curtis to
meet them at Titusville and take them to Pleasantville. The programme was
carried out, but Mr. Steadman didn’t approve of it and made compliant before
Alderman Skinner, charging conspiracy and abduction upon Alfred Curtis -- the
wife’s father – her sister Mrs. Small, her sister in-law Mrs. H. H. Curtis, and
Capt. March. An officer was sent with warrants,
and the Pleasantville ladies gave bail before Justice Dodge, to appear at next
Court. Messrs. Curtis and Marsh were brought from McKean to this city for a
hearing. Mr. H. H. Curtis wished to
avoid the annoyance of attending Court, and paid all the costs to settle the
suit, also offering Mr. Steadman a bond of indemnity that Mrs. S. should not be
any charge to him while she was there. She yet remains at Pleasantville.
The Family:
Alfred Curtiss (b. 1797)
Loeza Rebekah Curtiss (b. 1819) married to James Steadman III (b. 1815 England)
Henry Hatch Curtiss (b. 1829) married to Varilla W. Waid (b. 1833)
Lovina Belinda Curtiss (b.1823) married to Robert A. Small (b. 1823)
