My Family Tree

Note: The divorce took two years to settle and went to the Supreme Court
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Aug 16, 1907, Evening Telegram, Elyria:
ALIMONY SUIT STARTED BY A MARCH BRIDE
Dr. Albert M. Webster of Lorain Subject of Sensational Charges.
Says That He Kept Bad Company and Mortgaged Home to Buy Automobile.

Sensational charges are made by a bride of five months. Mrs. Ada Webster of Lorain, in her suit for alimony against Dr. Albert M. Webster, a well known physician of that place and son of Iral A. Webster of Elyria.

Dr. Webster is not only accused of unfaithfulness in the petition, but his wife says that he made a practice of consorting with women of questionable reputation. Cruelty of various sorts is also alleged and Mrs. Webster, who is preparing to leave for her parent's home in Rockwood, Mich., says that life with him is no longer endurable. She cannot sue for divorce, owing to the fact that she has been a resident of Ohio for less than a year.

The marriage of the parties took place on March 21 of this year and attracted some attention owing to the comparatively brief time which had elapsed since the death of the first Mrs. Webster. The alimony petition states that the doctor's regard for her began to cool within two months of their marriage and that he began to stay out late at night. When she remonstrated with him, he is alleged to have said that she could go back to her parents in Michigan if she chose.

It was about May 25, that the first act complained of in the petition and it is alleged to have occurred at the home of the plaintiff, who was left in the doctor's office to answer calls on the plea that he was busy. The petition charges that the defendant consorted with inmates of houses of ill fame and had them at his office frequently, and that they smoked cigarettes together. One date is mentioned when he is alleged to have hugged and kissed a woman patient.

CHARGED POISONING
The break appears to have come on Thursday of this week when the wife is alleged to have been accused of poisoning her husband's food. She says that he also applied a profane epithet to her.

The plaintiff says that she furnished their present home with the help of her parents, and that she was given to understand that the doctor owned the house and office free of encumbrance, but that she has later discovered it was mortgaged to the extent of $1,750. She says that he formed the purpose of buying an automobile and that on July 15 insisted that she consent to a mortgage of $1,000 upon the premises. This she at first refused, but later yielded to his scolding and threats and agreed to it.

DROVE CYCLE IN HOUSE
In order to annoy her, shays the plaintiff, the defendant has been in the habit of running a motor cycle, which he owns, about inside the house at night, keeping the plaintiff awake.

An order was secured from Judge Washburn preventing the plaintiff from withdrawing funds which he has on deposit with the Lorain Banking company. Reasonable alimony is asked.

When seen in Lorain this morning, Dr. Webster admitted that his wife was preparing to return to Michigan and also said that she was afflicted with a slight fit of jealousy, but made light of the whole affair.
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Dec 8, 1910, Evening Telegram, Elyria:
ALBERT WEBSTER IS DEFEATED IN COURT
Supreme Bench Decides In Favor of Former Wife

By a decision of the supreme court announced yesterday Dr. Albert M. Webster must pay his former wife, Miss Ada Miller, the remaining $1,500 of the $2,500 alimony awarded the woman by the common pleas court several years ago.

At the time the alimony was awarded the doctor paid his former wife $1,000, but, refused to pay more. In an attempt to carry out the court order the sheriff came to Lorain and endeavored to sell a house owned by the doctor on Fifth street, but was blocked by an injunction. The injunction proceedings again went to the common pleas court and the physician again losing it was carried to the circuit. The case was tried several times in the circuit court and in one instance the court reversed itself in favor of Dr. Webster. The case was taken to the Supreme court by Webster and the decision yesterday marks the end of the long drawn out fight.

Since the case has been in the courts, Dr. Webster has sold the house on Fifth street. "I expected to lose", said the doctor today, in referring to the supreme court decision.