The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1869-12-18 00:00:00

MARRIAGE OF A DYING MAN.

The Nets York Tribune, of the 4th lust.. reports the death
of Mr. I:Jelin-demi, who was wounded by a jealous husband
r awed McFarland. Tile following is an outline of the
ease:—
Richardson had been an army correspondent, an
author, and in a variety of ways contributed to the
rewspaper and periodical literature. Some years ago
lie met a Mrs. M'Farland, an actress, the mother of
two children, and became enamoured of her. She
quarrelled with her husband, and returned Richnd-
son'r paaaion. Her husband was driven to intemperance.
and some mouths ago, anxious for reverge, shot al and
sightly injured Richardson. The latter then publicly
t nuounced his intention of marrying Whir:alas wife
as soon as *be could procure a divorce. Resorting to the
Siate Courts of Indiana, of easysgoing morals, the
tiivorce was had for the arking, and Mrs. M'Farland
and her lover Licked may the ceremony to become man
and wife. The deserted husband, maddened by his
woes, plunged still deeper in dissipation, and, meeting
Lis rival a few days age, again shot at him across the
n, utter in the fusiliers office if the New York Tribune,
I. flieing a mortal woumt. What followed was psen-
-le-rly American. MT:a-land was dragged to a felon's
c 11, while Richardson was taken to the Astor-
] use, and on his math het hell a lev6e. '• Inter-
vlewing" reporters chronicled to the mioutest details
tie sayings and doings the agonies and anguish if
I lith. Bulletins of doings,
condition and
IM'Farland's ravings filled columns of the New York
ii-,pers, and were sent all over the country by tele-
! raph. Mrs. M'F,rland sat by the side—not et her
1 usband—but her lower; and finally Richardson, on
the threshohl of eternity, was married to the woman
•if a ceremony which deserves reporting. The mar-
riage was by Henry Ward Beecher, assisted by a It-v.
Mr. Frothing} am, Horace Greeley and several others
being in attandatice.
The following is also taken from the New York Tel.
lone :
Mr. Frothingharm—Let na pray. 0 Mir Father, may it
;'ease Thee In this place and at this moment to liters these
,iy children with that blessing which Thou alone canst
,re—a blessing that shall make the dying bed fail of peace
xial satisfaction and gratitu is that shall make the living
.art full of courage and faith. Bind together these two
.I tarts, our Father, and though the liamis may not bold
each other through the I orrney of life, may 011ie hearts
rill be one before Thee, to whem life and death, the world
to come awl this weld, are t' e sant,. Father, we thank
l'iee for what these two have been t each other. for what
they may lie yet. Stay he take her linage with him to the
epirltual life, and may she, bearing his name and vindicating
Lis honour, carry him about with her through all the
idgrimage that is yet before her, to strengthen her courage
nit give her patience under her burden, to help her through
ail her care. Bless those wt o may depend upon her. Bless
I as little oyes who are left 1. the world without their father.
lie Thou their Father, theL Mother, their constant Friend.
And, in the asairarice of tie heavenly life, may be pass on to
'l-lee; may she remain with them arid him here below."
Beecher'a part of the performance folhaws :
Mr Beecher :to Mr. Richardson Do you take the woman
whom you have by your side now, in this hour, standing near
the heavenly land, arid ren/w to her the pledges of your
Ion? you give your heart to her, and your name? Is
she, before d and before these whom's., your beloved,
3 our honoured, mid your hood wife
Mr Richardson (In an audible and clear voice Yes.
Mr. Benches -turning to Mrs. Sage And do you accept
him as you heal in the Lord And are you now to him a
iie sacred and honoured; besting his name? And will you
I've him to the end of your Life
Mrs. sage i do, and will.
Mr. Beecher : Then by the authority given me by* the
Church of Christ, I do pronounce you hushani and wife.
told may the blessing of Almighty God, the Father, the Son,
nod the Holy Spirit, rest upon you and abide with you.
Amen.
The Tribune says, "Short and simple, the ceremony
Was deeply impressive and affecting." The story
would he incomplete without the following, also from
the Tribune :
The ihtelligence of the marriage was communicated to
Sl'Farland last evening. He was lying in bed in his cell at I
the time, and his informant, not wishing to make the an- I
ouncement too abruptly, asked han, afgr a few incidental
remarks,—
" Have you heard the news concerning Richardaon this
afternoou
" No, I did not, except that I saw in the News that hi
was worse.'
" You did not hear of the ceremony?'
"'No. What ceremon)?'
" • Henry Ward Beecher rutted Mr. Richudson this
utterly..., end—,
" He married my wife I'
" • Mr. Richardson awl Mrs. M'Farland were married.'
" 11'Farland threw himself hack on his pillow without
uttering a word. After • long pause, his informant gravely
asked—
" ' 1)1 you think that Is hard?'
Yes, / do think it is very hard,' was the slow response.
Nothing more wan said on either aide.