Rev J R and Ella Rooks
Kentucky Post, Monday, 8 October 1906, page 5
Pastor of Colored Church in Newport Sues for Divorce
The divorce suit of Rev J R Rooks, pastor of the African M E
Church, Newport, was submitted to Judge Berry in the Campbell Circuit Court
today for judgment. The suit was filed some weeks ago but was not made public
until today.
Rev Rooks, in his petition, sets out that he and Ella Rooks, the defendant, were married in Edmonson, Ark. in 1871 and that they have been living apart for more than five years past. E W Hawkins, Jr. warning order attorney, in the case, filed a letter from the defendant, in which she stated that she did not care if the plaintiff got a divorce. The letter is a warm one and is filed as an exhibit.
It says: "Mr. E W Hawkins. On the 27th inst. I received a letter from you, stating that you were appointed by the Campbell Circuit Court to attend to the bill of divorce brought against me by my husband, J R Rooks. I will say that I am at the same place that I was when he and I married 35 years ago. So far as my objections are concerned, sir, I have none, and when the court issues the divorce, please send me a copy. As to the charges, i.e. living apart, he left me here and it is a satisfaction to me. Yes. I truly want a divorce. ELLA ROOKS."
Rev Rooks has been quite successful in church work in Newport and from a small beginning has built a large congregation.