The Green Forest tribune., 1911-02-03
PLIGHT OF ELD. c. L, MATTOX.
Former Carroll County Preacher and Wife to be Tried by Church
 on Bigamy Charge
From The Springfield, LMo.l Leader.

on DlSamy CharSe
 From The Springfield, (Mo.) Leader.
 Following the custom of the Baptist church, in which no divorce except those brought about by unfaithfulness is recognized, Rev. and Mrs. c. l.. Mattox, of 1874 Missouri avenue, the latter of whom has discovered that her supposedly dead former husband still lives, will be compelled to stand trial before the congregation of the Hamlin Memorial Baptist church, of which they are members.
 When it was first learned that A. B. Dial, Mrs. MattoX's former husband, was living in Texas when she had thought him dead for the past twenty or more years, her present husband consulted attorneys in regard to whether or not his marriage was illegal, since his wife had never obtained a di- vorce from MT. Dial. There was no illegality connected with the marriage, they were assured as the 'dead" laws of Arkansas, the state in which they were married, designated persons as legally dead after five years had passed without their being heard from or their whereabouts being made known in any way. The Missouri laws covering the same point designate seven years as | of al, o1 before a person legally becomes de- ceased.
 The trustees of the Hamlin Memorial church, however, took different view of the matter, and seeing only the scriptural side of it, declared that Mrs. i MattoX should obtain a divorce from her former husband and then remarry MT. Mattox. This the lady refused to i do, and her refusal has created bitter feeling among some of those members of the church who, Mrs. MattoX thinks, only desire to make trouble.
 Rev. J. R. Hamlin, the aged pastor of the Hamlin Memorial church, has preached several sermons bearing ndi- rectly on the matter since it became publicly known. In his sermon last Sunday he asked his congregation, Are you going to vote for adultery through sympathy for the parties con- cerned, or are you going to vote for the word of God?" This question is ex- plained by the pastor. Rev. Hamlin said
 1.-The Baptist church is founded on the word of God the Bible-a all it's teachings are obtained from that book Herein is given one, absolutely only one, just cause for divorce, and that is in case of unfaithfulness by one or the other of the contracting parties.
 ''I have asked MT. Mattox to hunt down the former husband of his wife, who is said to be married again and living in Texas. Once he has brought the evidence that the former husband is guilty of unfaithfulness both his wife and himself will be cleared of the | the morning of Friday, February 3, twelve ministers of the Baptist church of Greene county will meet at our church in council for the purpose of advising us what action to take in re- gard to the matter, On the same evening there will be a meeting of the | n ot 11,bi o vote will be taken as to whether or not MT. and Mrs. MattoX shall remain members of this church. If the con- l gregation wishes to act through sympathy, then they will remain; if not, then they will not.
 Mrs. Mattox, when seen this morning, stated that she did not think that any wrong was being done by herself and her husband, as the desertion of her former husband had removed her from all blame, both in the eyes of the law and God.
 ''We had thought, before this trouble came up, of moving to Broken Arrow, ! oh', puo oiilSS we lloNC dcSllSu u lS- main here and see it through in order to clear ourselves of any blame. have scores of friends here who will stand by me, and am confident that I have done nothing for which 1 should be censured, nor has my husband.' ,
 It is said that MT. Dial, the husband who so cruelty deserted his wife in 1885 and was not heard from until about two months ago, has married again and is living in Texas with large family. Of course, the 'tdead' law does not apply to him for this reason, unless he has obtained divorce since his disap- pearance he will be liable to prosecu- tion on the charge of bigamy.
 ''l shall not push such case against him, however" Mrs. Mattox said, ''even though he should have married without obtaining a divorce from me. It is not my nature to do such a thing, and he need not fear that l will cause him any trouble.