The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-08-16
Leon Smith Says Wife Wrote to
Former Sweethearts.
Then She Soon Ceased to Love
Him.
I'D NOT LIKE WEST.
Refused to Stay in Colorado
With Him.
After Twenty-fOur Years He
Seeks a Divorce.

Leon T. Smith married Jessie J.
Smith on the 21st day OF June, 1882, at
Florence, Col, and according to his Pc
tition filed in the Office of the district
clerk this morning his happy hours
since that time have been few and far
between. There are two daughters in
cluded in the family besides the hus-
band and wife but as they are of age
they receive but, little consideration.
The trouble broke out in the family
Of the Smiths within five days after
their marriage when Mrs. Smith an
nounced that she would not live with
the plaintiff in the west and shortly
after packed her trunk and left for
Washington, D. c. The head of the
family complains that at this time he
had a good position and an interest in
a prosperous business which he was
compelled to abandon or lose his wife.
For the sake Of harmony and the COM
paniOnship of his wife he went to Wash
ingtOn but the ways OF the east We're
new to him and he was unable to es-
tablish himself in business that would
support the family and he returned 10
Denver regardless of the fact that mis-
wife refused to accompany him. A year
later Mrs. Smith relented and went to
Denver but she only staid there two
years and then returned to the east
where she remained until she was sum
nouncing the serious illness of her hus-
band and this time she staid until he
was better but left him before he was
able to care for himself
A compromise seems TO have been ef-
fected about this time as the couple
moved TO Kansas City where the hus-
band attended medical college md
received a diploma emitting him to
practice medicine. Marital bliss In this
locality reigned for but a short Time
and again a move was made this time
to Washington where Mr.. Smith it
tempted to establish himself in his pro-
fession but failed.
Becoming disgusted he again sought
the west and since that time has fol-
lowed the ms and outs of the life of a.
travelling salesman, though all of this
time he was willing and anxious for his
wife to return to him and help him
IN making g home-for their old age.
All of these allegations are contain
ed in the petition of the plaintiff, who
also claims that his wife has since
heir marriage kept up d correspond
ence with her former sweethearts,
much to his distaste and against his
Will and that this correspondence has
been the means of alternating her af-
fectons He also alleges that at one
time in their matrimonial career that
the defendant ordered him to leave the
house where their daughter was Ill and
threatened that if he did not that she
would poison him.
Although Mrs. Smith has persistent
ly refused to live with him in Wash
ington and in other place, the petition
states that she has moved about and
has lived in several different states
and that she has sold all of their
household furniture which had been
provided for the home.
Now then all that Leon J. Smith,
who now lives in Topeka, wants the
court TO do is to use judgment in
granting such relief as may seem
proper and that the bonds of matri-
mony be dissolved and held for naught
Such is the story of the troubles of the
two Smiths as told by the petition
filed this morning in the clerk of the
courts office.