200 S.W.2d 324 | Ark. | 1947
An order finally dismissing the plaintiff's cause for want of jurisdiction is appealed from. The question is whether Joseph Allen, who had lived at Hot Springs (making occasional visits to other States) was a resident of Lawrence County *336 within the meaning of our statutes authorizing divorce. See "Venue," Pope's Digest, Sec. 4383.
The Allens were married at Malvern in March 1943. The complaint alleges separation without cohabitation for more than three years. Act 20, approved January 27, 1939, 7th subdivision; Pope's Digest, Sec. 4381.
Testimony by the parties is that they lived together less than three months. In October 1943 the husband sought a divorce in Garland County, alleging indignities. Mrs. Allen's answer contained similar charges against the plaintiff. In amended and substituted pleadings it was alleged that Mrs. Allen deserted her husband May 11, 1943. At the December 1944 term Chancellor Garratt dismissed the complaint for want of equity. No appeal was taken. In the meantime a part of Allen's pension as a Spanish War Veteran had been deducted by the Administration and sent monthly to Mrs. Allen.
Although appellant insists he was a resident of Lawrence County within the meaning of divorce statutes, and supplements this claim with testimony of his boardinghouse landlady who says he maintained quarters and took meals in the establishment for six weeks or more, and supporting witness (the landlady) says she had seen Allen in Hoxie continuously for several weeks, force of this evidence was largely destroyed by the plaintiff's answers to questions by the Court. Effect of the interrogation was to show that Allen left Hot Springs and went to Lawrence County for the purpose of getting a divorce, "because justice could not be procured at Hot Springs." There is nothing in the record to indicate that appellant was denied any of his rights by the Garland Chancellor. In the light of admissions, the Court from which this appeal comes properly held that it was without jurisdiction. McLaughlin v. McLaughlin,
There is another reason the divorce should not have been granted on the testimony presented. Allen alleged separation for three years, and Mrs. Allen, while denying *337
other parts of the complaint, admitted separation without cohabitation for the period mentioned. There was no corroboration of the plaintiff's testimony that the period of separation was three years. The evidence is not sufficient. Pryor v. Pryor,
The decision in Goodlet v. Goodlet,
Affirmed.