The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-12-01

| Whether Mr.. Macfarland's course was prompted
by his misfortunes in business, or because lie was
jealous of the little attentions which his handsome
wife received from the gentlemen OF her acquain-
tance, We cannot say. At all events the separa-
tion OF his wife from him wrought him up to a
sort OF frenzy, and the result was, that one night
| when Richardson escorted the wife home from
the theatre he followed them and shot her COM
paniOn from behind.
Mr.. Richardson did not prosecute him for the
felonious assault but some time subsequently the
friends OF Mcfarland made statement In his be-
| halri In the Tribune, to which Richardson replied.
| announcing his intention OF marrying Mrs. Nc
| Farland as soon as he could legally do so. Her
| husband began civil suit which Is now pending,
| for damages against Richardson as the alleged
destroyer Of his domestic happiness, and has
further repeatedly declared his intention to shoot
him on sight. Mrs. Mcfarland meantime sought
for divorce. Since that time, strangely enough,
| the two men have met repeatedly, without hos
| tile demonstration till yesterday.
The probability Is, that the fact that Mrs. NC
Farland has recently obtained the divorce she
sought, and that Mr.. Richardson was soon to
marry her, brought matters to crisis. At his
best Mcfarland was subject to morbid attacks,
during which he was often atmost besides him
SELF While they lasted lie was exceedingly unkind
to his wife, sometimes treating her with actual
violence. When these fits passed off, however,
he wonld humbly ask her pardon, and profess the
most ardent affection for her. There is no doubt
that he did love her devotedly, In spite OF these
outbreaks and when 1t became manifest that not
only must he lose her forever, but that she was
about to marry the man whom he regarded above
all Others however unjustly, as the author OF his
unhappincss, his often expressed purpose crystal
liZed into action.
The McFarlands have two children, one Of
whom is with the mother, the other with the
father. Mr.. Richardson Is widower with three
children. He Is man OF fine presence, amiable
manners gentlemanly department, and decided
ability. He has always bornca good reputation
with all who knew him. Mrs. Mcfarland, who Is
about thirty years OF age, issald to be o lady OF
fine accomplishments and OF gracious pres
ence. Her husband Is a small man, about fifty,
Of sanguine temperament, great irrltabillty OF
temper, and just the opposite In appearance OF
the gentleman who has succeeded him In the
lady's affections.
M'FARLAND's STORY.
A Sun reporter visited Mr. Mcfarland in the
Oak street station at midnight. He was calm
and collected, and he related minutely all the
circumstances which led to the tragedy. He
said
That man Richardson has driven me to despe.
ration, for he took my wife and child from me. l
would rather save mans life at any time tnan
take It, but In this case have been forced to act
as l have done. Richardson has been plotting ior
years to rob me of my wife, On the 27th OF Feb
ruary, 1867 she left my house at u Amlty street.
found her on the day previous In Richardson's 8
room, who boarded In the same mouse, anu
spoke to her OF the impropriety OF the act found
we then made up our quarrel, for could not oe.
lieve she was unfaithful to me. On the eta OF
March following, however, Richardson sent her
letter, and 1t fell by accident into my hands. In
it he acknowledged to have written twelve letters
previously, and at the close he calls her his own
''darling wife," and longs for the moment wnen
he can fold her to his arms. He also confessed IN
the letter that his love was not the growth OF
week. but OF years. [Mr. Mcfarland exhibited
copy OF the letter and other epistles OF similar
character.l
She then left me, and Richardson took her to
the residence OF Mr.. Sinclair and sent my young
est child to Boston, and have not seen him for
more than two years. and know not wnere ne
Ia. Since that time have pleaded earnestly Win
Richardson to give me back my wife and cease
to interfere with my family affairs, but he mas
steadily refused TO do 80. Instead Of giving back
my child and wife, he sent his friends to oiler me
$40, 600 and cOnsulship for both. But scorhed
the proposition. 1t Is not for the absence or my
wife that care so much, but for the fact that sne
has dishonored me and her children by living In
the embraces OF another man. Death would nave
been preferable to ME at any time during the past
three years, but have lived for the sake OF my
children. have heard that Richardson surrep-
titiousy procured divorce, but they served no
papers upon me- / heard that from his 1rends
who live near him at Woodside, New Jersey,
where he purchased house some time ago lor
eleven thousand dollars, but which he is now Try
ing to sell that he may move to Wyandotte, Kan
sas with my wife, because he knows he can't
live in peace with her here while l hye; Sne
stopped recently at MIS-. Calnouns, III 1ctse!
City, and Richardson used to visit her there
every night When ! discovered the fact, the
guilty pair left the house, leaving some OF their
clothing behind. don't know where she Is now,
but suppose this affair will bring her to light.
MR. RICHARDSON AS A JOURNALIST.
Mr.. Richardson is q native OF New England, and
brother of the editor and proprietor OF o reli-
gious Journal in Boston. He was the secret cor
respondent OF the Tribune In the South while the
acts OF secession were being passed there, anu
the army correspondent OF the Tribune in the
West during the war. While in the discharge OF
the duties OF that position he was captured, and
suffered confinement for time In both Libby anu
Salisbury prisons. He escaped from them, and
crossing the country reached the Union lines.
Soon afterwards he published the "Field, Dungeon
and Escape" book which has reached the ex'
traordinary circulation OF 5000 copies. he sub
sequently published the Life OF General Grant,
regarded az one Of the most complete OF the
many books written about that distinguished
general.