The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-12-06
An UNHOLY ALLI4NCE.
The Death-Bed Marriage OF Richard
son, the Fourierite Journalist, to
er Omciates-Hoyv Mcfarland Receiv-
ed the Announcement.

To mend the morality Of recent notorious
affair In New York, Hymen has been invoked. Mr.
Richardson as stated in our kilograms, was mar
ried Just previous to his death to Mrs. Mcfarland
by the Rev. Henry Ward Beecher. Mr.. Mcfarland
was unavoldably absent, or, perhaps, he might
have forbidden the bans. Indeed, how the tie
was loosened which bound him to his wife and
made her second marriage lawful was point
upon which the New York papers express some
very natural curiosity. The Tribune, however,
treats the dlsgraceful affair as legitimate and
proper throughout, calling Mrs. Mcfarland by
her maiden name Of Sage. We quote from Its
account:
THE MARRIAGE IN THE sICKRooA.
The unfavorable symptoms set in about IL
O'Clock Yesterday forenoon, and early IN the AFTER
noon his physicians thought 1t desirable that the
wishes expressed by both Mr.. Richardson and
Mrs. Sage, and by their relatives and friends, Tor
their marriage, should be no longer opposed,
though heretofore, in view OF the necessity OF
it best that the ceremony should be postponed.
The Rev. II. w. Beecher-who had promised on
Monday evening to hold himself IN readiness,
when called upon, to perform the scrvice-was
accordingly sent for, and reached the Astor House
hftween and 6. In company with the Rev. n. M.
Field d. d. and the Rev. o. b. rockingham.
The physicians were also In waiting, and after
Mr.. Richardson had been made as presenta6le
and comfortable as circumstances would permit,
the clergymen were admitted to the SICK cham
ber and stood by the bedside OF the sufferer. while
Mrs. Sage sat near, clasping the right hand or the
patient, and the numerous personal 1rlends anu
relatives present stood at the door and around
the bed. The marriage service then followed.
THE CEREMONY.
The room of the sick man is on the first floor Of
the Astor House,, 1t was nearly filled with wit
nesses. The doors and windows were open. Mr..
Richardson lay partially propped up by pillows;
somewhat flushed. Mrs. Mcfarland occupied a
chair at the head OF the bed. Everything being
in readiness, the Rev. o. B: rockingham opened
the services with prayer, after which the simple
marriage ceremony OF the congregational Churcn
was performed by the Rev. Henry Ward Beecher,
as follows
Mr.. Beecher ito Mr.. Richardson.) Do you take
the woman whom you have by your side now, IN
this hour, standing near the heavenly land, and
renew to her the pledges OF your lover DO you
give your heart to her, and your name? Is she,
before God. and before these witnesses, your be-
loved. your honored, and your lawful wlle
Mr.. Richardson lin an audible and clear voice.
Yes.
Mr.. Beecher turning to Mrs. Sage.) And do
you accept him as your head In the Lord? And
are you now to him wife sacred and honored /;
bearing his nameP And will you love him to the
end OF your life9
Mrs. Sage. ! do, and Will.
Mr.. Beecher. Then by the authority given me
by the Church OF Christ, do pronounce you hus-
band and wife; and may the blessing OF Almighty
Cod the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit rest
upon you and abide with you. Amen.
Short and simple, the ceremony was deeply i'm
pressve and affecting. At its close the ministers
and friends withdrew after offering their silent
congratulations and sympathies.
s'FARLASD ON THE MARRIAGE.
The intelligence of the marriage was commu-
nicated to Mcfarland last evening. He was lying
in bed in his cell at the time, and his informant
not wishing to make the announcement too ab-
ruptly, asked him, after few incidental remarks,
"Have you heard the news concerning Richard
mo, did not, except that saw in the News
that he was worse"
"You did not hear OF the ceremony"
sNol What ceremony"
"Henry Ward Beecher visited Mr. Richardson
this afternoon, and"
"He married nlp lriJe 2"
"Mr. Richardson and Mrs. Sage were married."
Mcfarland threw himself back on his pillow
without uttering a word. After along pause, his
informant gravely asked.
.Do you think that Is hard"
eyes, l do think 1t is very hard" was the slow
response. Nothing more was said on either side