The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-11-28
Mr.. SELLS STORY
Snowman Testiffes In His Suit
For Divorce.
Recounts the Details Of His
Courtship.
SAD SCENE IN COURT.
Mrs. Sells Breaks Down and
Sobs PiteOusly.
Her Husband Also Cries and
Court Takes a Recess.
Story of the Early Struggles Of
the Sells Brothers.

Columbus, O., Nov. 2s.-S1owly, al
most solemnly, Peter Sells told the story
of his love for Mamie Luker his later
more reverent love for Mary Sells, the
mother Of his daughter. and the man
ner in which he believes that love was
dagged through the dust OF infamy
During two hours the auditors in
Judge Evans court sat, literally with
bated breath, while they feasted upon a
strong mans agony. 1t is not exagger-
alton to say that during the greater part
OF this time pin could have been heard
to drop in any part Of the room. The
occasional serape Of a roughly clad foot
over the sandy floor produced an actual
physical shock.
When Peter Sells. in his testimony,
came to the time in his life when his
eyes were finally opened to his wife's
deceit and he determined TO part from
her forever Mrs Sells covered her eyes
with her handkerchief. AS he slowly
aud pitllesSly recounted the incidents of
that last night when his determination
was made known to her her shoulders
heaved and shook until she finally broke
down in a torrent Of weeping. Mr. Sells
also broke down and cried
In pity for the suffering woman the
court granted a recess for a few minutes.
When the court .reconvened Mrs. Sells
had largely regafned her cOrnpoSure and
although during the remainder of the
lOur her face Wore the aspect of abiect
suffering and she frequently stole her
kerchief to her eyes. she did not again
break down Mr.. Sells himself suffered
no less His voice was broken with
sobs, though he manfu1ly refused to give
them utterance. BY reason of his suf-
ter1ng ne was forced to adopt an un-
usually slow enunciatiOn, which gave to
the statement the effect of an accusa-
ton wrung from him by sheer physical
pain.
Mr.. Sells was placed on the stand to
give DIS testimony against the woman
whom It IS plain to see he stfil loves
more than life itself. The earlier portion
Of his testimony was, in comparison with
the later part, uninteresting He told of
his youth, Of his early struggles-first
Tor existence and then for a competency
his meeting with pretty Mary Luker
IN her fathers hotel in Medina Mo: his
Wooing Of her and their subsequent
marriage 1t was not until late in the
afternoon that his attorneys led him to
the day when he first VS. told by De-
tective John MahOney that his wife was
unfalthful TO him Up to that time he
mad no thought that her value was not
beyond rubies.
After his conversation with Mahoney
ne returned to his home, but not to
sleep. owing 10 an unexpected visitor.
Mrs Sells shared his room with him.
He was restless throughout the night
Tacked by the demon of doubt His wife
commented on his reStleSsnesS to re-
=
sleep, Mary Do not let me bother you;
! fear l can not sleep tonight"
Mrs. Sells advised him to arise and
take a walk in the fresh morning air
but he refused, saying.
Fresh air can not make me sleep to-
night"
He did not hint his suspicious to his
wife, but went away on his trip with the
show. Before going he had accidentaIIv
opened his wife's closet in her sleeping
room, there to find it filled with fancy
liquor bottles Of every description.
he mad never bought anything of this
kind, and taxed her with it. She re-
Piled that she had purchased the stuff
Tor cooking purposes, and some had been
sent in by his friends. He made no
reply.
The day following, on October %. he
went away for his last trfp with the
snow Detective Mahoney had been
employed to investigate the truth of the
charges against his wife's fidelity. He
returned Friday, November "a but said
nothing to his wife. That night he had
q report fSom the detective. and the next
day went down town. His wife met
MIN by prearTangement, and they called
upon his mother He had not seen his
aged mother for five weeks, but his wife
hurried him away.
On the road home in the buggy the
following conversation occurred:
After we had got started she said:
Billy Bott telephoned this morning Just
after you left the house He wanted 10
ais bicycle was stolen from in front of
our house
I made no reply. After we got a
little farther 7 began to talk about the
Lazarus stores being fine ones. and so
on Then ! asked her where else she
wanted TO GO She said: I want to
GO to the bank have got a check
log Joe Cher brother9. He wants to go
away tonight, and I want to get the
money Tor hin- said. Lewis don't
Want Joe 70 go away tonight. He has
9uSt got home and he is very busy: and
Joe knows about the buying of the pro
Visions Tor the show better than ar1v one
else. and think you had better tell him
TO remain You had better request him
to remain until Monday
by that time we had started north
on Front street. and I said: Where
next do you want to stop?' She said.
Drive around to Billy Bott's. he Is
waiting at his store to see YOU
II said: What does he want to see
Wen. / just explained to YOU that
he wanted to see you to tell you about
his bicycle being taken from in front of
our house
II said: If his bicycle was stolen.
why don't he advertise for it2'
f-She said it would not look well to
advertise for the bicycle, and stated
that it was stolen from in front of our
house.
4 said: Name. want to ask YOU
one question. and I want you to give
me a truthful answer. Does this fellow
ROtt come to CAR house to see F1orence2' p II
she says. No, sir; he never came to
che house to see Florence in the world
81 Then what was he doing at our