The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1869-12-09
From the Cincinnati Enquirer
The mcPnrland-Rieha Case.

u
The testimony in the habeas corpus
case for the custody of the Mcfarland
children came up about two years ago.
As it involves the relations of the prin-
cipals in the late sad tragedy, it assumes
now new and increased Importance. As
the case has acquired so great celeb
rity, and as Mr.. Richardson was former
ly resident of our city, and connected
with the daily press, some of the leading
points in it may be worthy of ment on.
Mr.. Sinclair, one of the publishers and
largely interested in the New York
Tribune, and one of Mr.. Richardson's
warm personal friends, testified that
after Richardson was wounded by Nc
Farland in March, 1867, he was brought
to his house. Mrs. Mcfarland who then
had taken no steps for divorce, occupied
the adjoining rooms, which rooms were
connected by two openings between the
rooms, but no doors to them. She took
her meals part of the time with Rich
ardson. Mrs. Mcfarland informed Mr..
Sinclair that she and Miss Gilbert went
to see Richardson at his room, on Amity
street, but that the landlady, Mrs. Ma
son, refused to admit them, when one
of them said, "Will you not admit the
sister of the young lady to whom Mr. r.
is engaged 7" By this rinse they OBJ
tanned admission. Mr.. Sinclair further
stated that he had never heard Mrs.
McF speak of any acts of violence COM
mitted by her husband toward her, and
her father, Mr.. Sage, said he had never
heard of any trouble between them.
Richardson informed Mr.. Sinclair that
be was engaged to be married to Mrs.
McF., and he thinks she was present at
the time. This testimony was all
confirmed by William D. Norris,
Sinclair's man-seryant, who car
ried letters between the parties, and
who said he had seen Mrs. McF. throw
her arms around Il. and kiss him when
he was lying in bed wounded. Mrs.
Mason, the boarding house keeper on
Amity street, testified that the parties
{Mr. ana Mrs. McF.) boarded with her
in January, 1865; that their conduct to
each other was particularly kind; that
McF. was never out in the evening, and
was constantly devoted to teaching his
little boy, and that she never knew him
to be undor the influence of intoxica-
ting drink. She further said that Mrs.
McF. was frequently out at night visi-
ting, while Mr.. McF. was at home She
frequently told her (Mrs. Mason) that
her husband was very kind to her.
At the request of Mrs. McF., she took K.
as boarder, but after the shooting af-
fair in March compelled him TO leave.
She corroborated the Sinclair state
ment about the young lady who repre-
sented herself to bs the sister OF
Mr.. RS intended. She said she (Mrs.
McF. had to leave Sinclair's house on
account of his expecting company from
Washington. She wanted TO re.engage
the room she formerly occupied with
her husband before separation, this be-
ing refused her on account of the room
being engaged. She then requested to
be allowed to sleep in RS bedroom,
which was refused. While living with
her husband she took breakfast with r.
in her room, and did so on the morning
of the shooting in 1867. A Mr.. w. G..
Mcfarland, a nephew of Mr.. Daniel Nc
Farland, after stating that she admitted
to him that her husband loved
her, but that she was too proud
q woman to 90 back to him-added
that he had heard her complain
that all she wanted to make an elegant
woman was money. She stated to him
that she thought she was admired by
Greeley, COlfax and Richardson. 1t
VIII be remembered that Colfax, the
Vice President, sent dispatch to Rich
ardson of sympathy after the fatal
wound received by him. She showed
10 w. f. McF. several letters from
Greeley, and told him that Greeley had
given her one hundred dollars for copy
ing done at tie Bible House. She had
met Colfax at Sinclair's dinner, and de.
clarsd that she believed he admired
her. This testimony requires no com.
ment.