Phillips v. Phillips

22 Wis. 256 | Wis. | 1867

Cole, J.

Our statute makes it a cause for divorce from tbe bond of matrimony whenever tbe husband and wife shall have voluntarily lived entirely separate for tbe space of five years next preceding tbe application for tbe divorce. Chap. 37, Laws of 1866. It appears from tbe evidence, that tbe husband left bis wife in March, 1857, and for tbe last five years next preceding the commencement of the suit has lived in Tehama in California. The wife testifies that when her husband went away he told her that he should return in two years; that during the first two years he wrote to her, and that then it was three years before he wrote again: that he has written to others during the past five years, but not to her; that he has never requested her to go and live with him in California, and has stated no reason for not returning to her; that he has made no provision for their living together, in the past five years; and the daughter swears that he" has- made no provision for the family during that time. The wife further testified, that she did not think her husband was prevented from returning on account of business, or for want of means; that she has heard that he was doing well, and had large sums of money; that she is satisfied that he could have returned at any time, had he been so disposed. Erom his acts she thinks that he has not intended, for the past five years, to live with her again. This is the matérial part of the testimony; and we are inclined to think it makes out a cáse within the statute. Of course, it is impossible sometimes to get at the real intention of the party, and we can only gather it from his acts. "We presume that men act deliberately and according to the dictates of their judgment. Now, where the husband is absent for years from his wife- and family — makes no provision for their support — writes to others but not to his wife —does not say that he is detained by business, sickness, want of means, or any disability — makes no effort either to return to his family or have them come to him — what inference can we draw from his acts but that he voluntarily and purposely does just what he does do ? Doubtless the circuit judge supposed that the plaintiff must show affirmatively, by some direct proof, that the husband voluntarily absented himself from his family. But the fact of voluntary abandonment or separation seems to be sufficiently proved in tbe case. Tbe husband has continued absent from bis wife during tbe statutory period, without any apparent cause. We must presume that be-has done so voluntarily, as it was so easy for him to make known tbe real cause of bis absence, if involuntary. His declarations are not to be obtained; and we must conclude from bis conduct that be has acted deliberately in the matter. We are of tbe opinion that a sufficient cause for granting a divorce under this statute is made out by tbe evidence.

By the Court. — Tbe judgment of tbe circuit court is reversed, and tbe cause remanded with directions to enter judgment according to tbe prayer of tbe complaint.