Colored Brother Is So Charged by Better Half

Sensational charges, which will create a stir in colored circles, were filed today against the Rev. David R. Ampby, pastor of the Bethel A. M. E. Church, when his wife, Elizabeth Ampby sued him for divorce alleging cruel and inhuman treatment. That he was in the habit of striking, whipping and abusing her, that she was in constant fear of her life from threats he had made and that he called her hard names, are among the startling charges against the minister made by his wife.

She declares it was his practice to lock her in the house when he went away. They were married in 1901 and separated last night when his wife told the minister of the gospel to leave the home which he did not support. She has bought all the clothes for herself and their two-year-old son by dressmaking, the plaintiff says.

For these alleged offenses, she asks $300 alimony and an absolute divorce. To secure the alimony, a restraining order was issued today by her attorney, R. G. Miller, to prevent Ampby from drawing from the Blooming National Bank $463 he has on deposit there.

The Ampbys came here two years ago from Logansport, the minister sent to take charge of the church on 6th Street back of the Hotel Bowles. He is a barber as well as a minister and can earn $12 per week at the trade his wife
says.

He gets $450 salary as pastor of the church.