The age-herald., 1901-06-05
He Was Charged With Cruelty
 Treating His Wife
THEY HAD BEEN DIVORCED
He Claims She Did Not sympathIze With Him In Ills Work-He Had Started In To Reform
 the World.

Des Moines, Ia., June 4-Prof. D. G. Heron, former applied Christianity pro- lessor in Iowa College at Grinnell. is no longer Congregationalist. He was tried by court of ministers and elders of the church representing organizations, sitting at Grinnell today on a charge of conduct unbecoming Christian and gen. tleman and evidence introduced to show cruel treatment of his unusually loyal and devoted wife," which finally resulted In divorce proceedings and legal separa- tion A lengthy letter from pr. Heron was presented in his defense, but at the close of It's consideration the council de- cided the charges were sustained and voted unanimously to expel him from the church.
 J. P. Lyman of Grinnell presented the case against Heron on behalf of the church committee. He read the letter sent to the twelve churches calling for the council and the invitation to Heron to participate and defend. Dr. Heron declined saying: 'I am perfectly satis- fled that the hearing shall be ex parte.
 Mir. Lyman said he did not present the 
 motion, but the church thought it was its duty to investigate his divorce pro- ceedings and his relations to and treat ment of his wife and children in the light of the Christian ministry. Hev D. M Vittum of Grinnell was the first witness He said he met Herrons wife at Grinnen in April, 1893, and exchanged pulpits with Heron. He was entertained at the Bands and they talked all the time Of Heron Mrs. Heron was loyal all sthe. time devoted to her husband and be- lieved in his teachings On his last de- parture to Europe she told friend: T feel as though want to die"
 Book Dedicated to His Wife.
 Prof. Charles Noble said Herron's book in 1892 was dedicated to his wife in these words: ITO my wife, who has been my most loving counsel"
 Rev Vittum said the trial must be an exoneration of Mrs, Heron. She was in- nocent. His church.. he said, was ready to expel Heron without more evidence, but more evidence must be heard for his wife's sake.
 Dr. Heron sent a lengthy letter from New York, in which he lays nearly the whole blame upon his wife.
 Heron claims that he is inspired by the Master to preach the word to suf- fering and patient community; that the church has deviated from the teaching and preaching of the lowly Nazarene, and that another prophet, such as Moses or Abraham, is needed to lead the children of God back until they can see the true light.
 So he started his work of applied ka1 world.
 She Was a Drawback.
 But, says Heron, he found a drawback in his own home. He claims that his wife, the first one who should have sym pathized with him and aided him in his work, was not sympathetic, that she did not believe in his mission, that she re- fused to be converted to his way of thinking. She lacked the responsive, sym pathetic chord and his life was made dark and gloomy by her failure to be moved by him and assist him in his great work Thus the trouble began and the breach which was started soon widened. Heron found sympathy and support with the Bands, both the women aided him by work and deed
 Professor Heron says a separation was frequently discussed and at last it was decided to separate for good and forever It was decided to do it as quitely and unostentatiously as possible and for that reason Heron went East remaining the allotted time for the statutory plea of de- sertion, and his wife left the home where every one knew her, and going to Algona, presented her case, and with the approval of the absent husband a divorce was granted.