The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-12-03


invariably exhibited on these occasions kindly
and respectful manner, never saying anything to
provoke the already irate and distracted husband
and yet altogether unable to satisfy. the I'M
FASHIONED demand made upon him. Then NC
Farland would 60 up in the Tribune ONCE ana
wander around there mechanically. 1t was on one
or these occasions he saw letter addressed "Mrs.
ABBY Mcfarland" lying IN the box intended for the
post, and guessing with a prompt instinct that It
came from Richardson, he took and deliberately
put his pocket. This the intercepted letter
the contents Of which the trial OF Mcfarland is
expected to disclose Its chief point is not revealed In
the above personal statement, but reliable author
ty, who has perused the document, says thar Rich
ardson therein congratulates Mrs. Mcfarland on the
near frution OF their mutual hopes, and that the
labor OF securing and nOurshing her affections ID Ut
last TO obtain Its supreme reward.
Referring to this, Richardson wrote last March:--
Mcfarland intercepted a letter from me to her
such letter as one would naturally write TO tne
that 1t 'frenzied" HIM. but there was method not
to say dellberation, In his "irenzy.n Instead OF
seeking face to face he Kept this letter IN MS
pocket for three days, and finally, at eleven O'CLOCK
on dark, rsany night, crept Up behind me IN the
OF my back began to shoot. Before he could rre the
fourth shot succeeded in throwing him to the
Secured him him. One bali only took effect Keeping me
in bed Tor week. refrained from prosecuting
HIM, partly because knew had been rash. but
chiefly 70 withhold the lady's name from any addi
uonai and av0dablc publicity. For weeks and
months after this be earnestly sought TO induce her
to return to her "kndn ana afIectionate" husband
Finding this hopeless. he seems to nave devoted
himself chiefly 70 slandering her, and reading an
alleged copy OF my letter, with many dramatic &C.
COMPARTMENTS to every acquaintance or stranger
who will listen to It. Sometimes he ends his TALE
'And now. after ALL don't believe the scoundrel
Will even marry her." But his common perorauon
Is that II ever do he WIN Kill me ION sight"
Whatever the intercepted letter really contains
IN hatf~ ynptSt nnho Inn Nf
many future readings and declalmings. ! wrote
1t ior but one persons; yet dld write \, and |
was in holding such an attitude towards lady
who had very recently separated from her husband
was sos mime ana I9ava sna n nos Try 70 sv M
antagonist i shall with aIaCnty pay, II II. comes
within my modest means. And finally, whatever
violence he may retnreaten or reattcmpi should the
lady ever be legally free during my lifetime she will
certainly become my wife, she will accept so poor
q man as l.
Many times after the publication Of this letter the
two men met either IN the Tribune ONCE or on the
streets, but, though not very amicable interviews,
they were never hostile. McFariand's threats OF
vengeance were principally made behind the other
mans back, and were many times the impulse of an
0verheated BRAIN, given morbidly to dwelling on
the story Of his WRONGS The accounts which the
press generally have given to the public as to
McFarland's appearance, manner and habits are
grossly eAARgeChteu. nc lOOkBy SPEAKS anu wears
the departments OF q gentleman. he could hardly
ever have been the ''lntemperate shiftless vaga.
bondn that he II represented. That he drank at
times deep, drowning draughts OF whiskey he ad-
mits but 1t was AFTER and not before, his wife
showed her preference for another Yesterday, in
his cell, the unhappy man had one thought upper
| most in his mnd-his wife's marriage to
Richardson-and as he talked Of the grim
ana startling mockery OF religion and mo-
raty which took place In the chamber or
death he alluded bitterly to the refinement cruelty
that prompted some one in the Tribune ONCE TO
send down messenger near midnight TO the Tombs
and awake him from his sleep to announce that the
ceremony OF marriage between Richardson and his
wife had just been performed. "What could have
been the motive OF Lnatf' he eagerly inquired, but
Assuming that 1t was done for the malicious motive
OF giving pain, 1t was certainly most contemplate
such an act was not sanctioned by any decent
authority in the Tribune office. The elimination Of
this strange history OF love- niatuation and crime
was the fatal assassination OF Richardson in the tn
Dune office on the afternoon Of the 25th ut. McFar
land, losing all sell-control, determined on the wild
justice OF revenge. He concealed himself In the Fri,
Dune office, and at the favorable opportunity lev
eed pistol ataicnardson and fred Inc latter with
brave stolcism, walked OF without uttering
| word, though bullet had just pierced through
his very vitas. He went mp stairs to the
requested that medical attendance might be called
In as ne had just been shot, DR.. Swan came, ex-
amined the wound and found It exceedingly dan.
House, Mcfarland was arrested and lodged In the
Tombs, and next morning the town was Tiled with
the sranges story OF domestic infelcity perverted
and seduced affections batlied hope and long sum-
berlng vengeance that has been told for many day.
in the Aslor House and the whole country
heard and read the details Of the event.
sen Wo1s az to nigh position
and the Vice President Of the United States deemed
IL incumbent to send for publication over the wires
the expression OF his warm and particular SYM
patty. The bad TASTE the glarlng OStentatlOn of
sympathy shown in this case OF Mr.. Richardson's is
the more remarkable as happening to be done by
persons who certainly were presumed 70 know
better.
to be SO low that his desire to have the marriage
ceremony performed between himself and Mrs. NC
Farland was deemed proper to comply with. and as
the lady for whom his attachment had been so
irrepressbly expressed herself anxious that the
formal seal Of matrmony should mark her relations
that The Rev. Henry Ward Beecner should solemny
rockingham and Rev. N. N. Field participated in
1Ns an he ss
hand OF her rash and prostrate lover aud the holy
making the two spiritually one Il was this ceremony
which would appear to have shocked severely the
moral and religious sensiblites OF the entire COM
munity, and may be therefore worth giving in full
that people may form clearer judgment TO what
was precisely said by the officiating ministers OF the
Rev. o. B. rockingham offered up the following
prayer
~ our Fatner may IL please Thee In this place
and at this moment to bless these Thy children
with that blessing which Tnou alone canst give
blessing that shall make the dying bed iuIl of
peace ana satisfaction ana gratitude; that shall
make the living heart fun of courage and
faith. Bind together these two hearts, our Father,
and though the hands may not hold each other
through the journey OF ife may these hearts still
be one before Thee TO whom life and death, the
we thank Thee for what these two have been 10 each
other, for what they may be yet. May he take her
image with HIM to the spiritual life, and may she,
bearing his name and indicating his honor carry
MN about with her through all the pilgrimage that
Is yet before her, TO strengthen her courage and
give her patience under her burden. TO help her
through all her care. Bless those who may depend
upon her. Bless the lizzie ones who are lett III The
world without their father. BE Thou their father
their mother, their constant friend. And IN the
assurance OF the heavenly life may he pass on 10
Thee; may she remain with them and MIN here