Fruits - Uncle Billy - mean to wife - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

Uncle Billy Fruits, of Waynetown, has been causing no end of talk for the last few days because of his outrageous treatment of his wife. Billy is about 70 years old but is violent in his hatred and denunciation of churches. His wife, however, is a religious woman and clings to the faith of her youth in spite of protestations of her husband. She is obliged to attend church unknown to him or else abide unpleasant consequences. Some time since Fruits learned that his wife occasionally slipped away to attend divine services and it made him furious. He kept a watch and a week ago Sunday he found that she was in the congregation of one of the Waynetown churches. He went home straightway and locked the doors and windows, refusing to admit her. She was obliged to seek shelter in the home of a friend and it was about three days before her irate husband would again receive her to his home.  He warned her against a repetition of her offense but the influence of the revival service was so great that she yielded to temptation again Saturday night and slipped off to church. Fruits learned of her whereabouts and she was again locked out. He refuses now to allow her to come about the place. The citizens of Waynetown are highly indignant at this rank intolerance and are indulging in some harsh talk.  Some weeks ago Fruits’ married daughter, Mrs. Courtney, became converted and joined the church. Fruits sent her word that he would have nothing more to do with her at all  - thanks so very much to “S”