Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-28
HUSBAND NEGRO, WIFE SAYS
MRS. JOHNSTON CHARGES
FRAUDULENT MARRIAGE.
Explains That Suspicious Were
Aroused After Birth Of Twins.
Substance Of Petition.

In a suit filed today in the Supreme
Court of the District of Columbia for
annulment of her marriage to Albert r..
Johnston, Mrs. Annie NJ Johnston AYERS
that the marriage. which took place in
Baltimore in August, 1885, was fraudu-
lent because the husband procured the
license from the Maryland authorities on
the claim that he was a white man.
when she believes him to be Of negro
descent
The petitioner further alleges that she
did not believe at the time of the mar
rage that the defendant was of negro
descent. but since the birth Of twins to
them she has had reason to question her
husband as to his ancestry. She says
that when she pressed him for a direct
answer as to whether or not he was of
negro descent he maltreated her.
Johnston. she says, is an employe Of
the government Of the District OF CO.
lumbia.
Makes Charge Of Fraud.
In the opening paragraph of her petit
ton, filed by Attorney Richard p. Ev-
ans. Mrs. Johnston sets forth that she
is credibly informed and believes Albert
r. Johnston is a person of negro blood
and descent She SAYS that the defend
ant falsely and fraudulently held him.
self out in the community and to the
complainant as being a white person
and concealed his being of mixed blood,
and that under his false and fraudu-
lent holding out, representation and
concealment she accepted his attentions
and offer of marriage.
Johnston and the petitioner were mar
ride in Baltimore in August, 1905. she
says. by Rev. Frank Porter upon license
to marry "fraudulently obtained by the
defendant in Baltimore upon his false
and fraudulent representation that he was
a white person, which the complainant at
that time and for long time thereafter
believed to be true"
Continuing Mrs. Johnston explains that
November %. 1906, twin girl babies were
born. One died in July. 1907, and the
other is now twenty months old.
circumstances Cause Inquiry.
Johnston recites, circumstances caused
her to make inquiry of the defendant as
to his descent. and he stated to her that
his fathers family was Italian, and that
subsequently, upon complainant asking
further questions, her husband became
violently angry and threatened to kill her
If she ever made any further inquiry
into the matter. These threats, she says,
caused her to become frightened and to
refrain from making any further inves-
LEGATIONS.
The complainant further says that she
has frequently visited her husband
parents for the purpose of meeting his
father, but has never yet seen him, it
being represented to her that he was not
at home, out of the city, in bed asleep,
and she believes. and has been informed
that he is avoiding meeting her. at the
suggestion of the defendant.
Her husband. Mrs. Johnston continues.
is a person of fine appearance and agree
BILE manners, suave when with his
friends; that he was SO with complain
ant until after her children were born
since which time he has made her life
miserable and unbearable by his abusive
and cruel words and actions; that he has
upon numerous occasions cruelty struck
her and thrown cups at her. and has
several times clutched her by the throat
choking her and putting her in fear OF
mortal injury