The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-04-05
THEY HONESTLY DIFFER,
Religion Causes Husband and Wife
to Get Divorce.

Cashion, o. T., April 4.-Religion has
separated an aged couple in the vicinity
of Cashion and their trials, troubles and
fluctuations were poured into the ears
of Judge Burford at Guthrie yesterday
neys. John H. Cotteral for the plaintiff
and Chas. H. Woods for the defendant,
and cross petitioner.
The plaintiff, Mrs. Bette A. Sibiey,
asks permanent alimony from her hus-
band, Benjamin II. Sibley, to whom
she was married in this city eleven
years ago. On the other hand, he denies
all her charges and asks the court to
give him an absolute divorce from his
wife and to deny her petition for per-
manent alimony. The case attracted
much attention in court yesterday, be-
ing the feature during, almost the en-
tire day.
Mrs. Sibley stated On the witness stand
that she thought more of her Free
Methodist religion than of her husband, !"
and this seems to have been the enter
ing wedge that caused the split between
husband and wife.
Mrs. Sibley states that after her hus-
band took a claim in this county she
worked and shaved in order to improve
1t and gave him $1,000 from her private
purse; that he now owns this claim,
worth s., 900, eleven head of cattle and
four horses, to say nothing of crops. all
of which she asks the court to prohibit
her husband from disposing Of
She charges her husband with being
1rfrf rs
that since March 1, 1902. he has refused
to live with her as husband or to main
tain marital relations with her. COM
pelling her to live in two upper rooms of
their frame house, barring her from the
lower rooms thereof from his table and
fireside, from cooking his meals and do
ing other household duties. She says he
told her to do as she pleases and as for
her interest in the farm to get IL IL she
can.
Mrs. Sibley says her husband refuses
her a orse frequently with which to
drive to church, and has left her without
means allowing her wood providing she
cuts it, giving her -four. lard, sugar. salt,
baking powder and soda, and occas ional-
ly salt meat If she asks for It, but re-
fusing her eggs, butter. milk and fresh
meat. compelling her to use charity on
her neighbors for such necessities She
says, also. that he has provided her with
one pair of shoes and some muslin since
their separation.
She claims he will not allow her friends
to come TO the house and has ordered
away from the place her church friends
and obstructs her from attending church
worship.
Mr.. Sibley tells a far different story
He denies all her charges, but states
that all the time he has been an indulg-
ent husband. yielding to her whims fire.
quently. and striving with her TO do bet
ter, in that she practically abandoned
him for her church, refusing 20 do house
hold duties for three 10 four weeks at a
time while she was attending the Free
Methodist church. taking up with one
". c. Fair. and a so-called preacher
named Donaldson. and others of Ques-
tionable reputation He states that she
has ferocious temper and frequently
rounded him up harshly and beaten and
scolded his children by a former wife on
account of this temper. He says she has
driven his children away from home and
has striven 70 drive him away also IN
order that she might get possession OF
everything. He says she is not economic !
al but too expensive for his means and
that he couldn't stand for it.
The judge. after hearing all the evil
deace. gave Sihiey his divorce. absolute
after six months time. and gave Mrs.
Sihley $50 alimony.