Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1869-12-02
MURDEROUs ASSAULT
The RCEsT lson- Mcfarland Tragedy in
New York.
Details Of Singular Domestic Complication,

A New York dispatch to the Gin
cinnati Commercial, OF the 9th, says:
Public opinion is much divided as. to
the degree of censure to be awarded to
the respective parties. Mcfarland
and his wife have lived most Of the
time for the last five years at board
ing houses, and it seems 20 have been
the impression Of all their fellow
bOarders during that time that his in
sane freaks OF jealousy and violence
had rendered their domestic life utter
ly wretched, before they made the ac-
Quaintauce OF Richardson. Indeed,
She had expressed 10 her intimate
friends her determination to seek a
separation from her husband long be-
fore the acquaintance with Richardson
began. She POSSESSES rare talent ana
accomplishments, IS an admirable elO-
CutiOnlst, and struggled bravely for a
while TO support herself by public
readings. This proving an uncertain
reliance, she procured an engagement
at the Winter Garden, leading
Broadway theater.
About this lime she made the ac-
quainMnce Of Richardson, who came
to board at the same house. Not a
stain had ever rested upon her reputa-
ton, and friendship and sympathy
soon grew up between them, which
rapidly ripened into a deep, and it is
to be feared, fatal attachment.
1t was decided that she should re-
move To Indiana and procure di-
vOrce, with the understanding that
she and Mr.. Richardson should be
married Immediately Glgerward.
{ Whatever blame may be laid at Rich
ardsOn's door, it cannot be charged
against him that he alienated the atfec-
tiOns of the wife from the husband.
That was accomplished before they
met.
Mrs. Mcfarland started from Bos-
( ton last evening, Immediately on hear
ing of the tragedy, and arrived at the
AstOr House about O'Clock this
morning. She has been at the bedside
OF the sufferer ever since.
/ Richardson has been unable to re-
tain any food upon his stomach, and
| requires to be constantly supplied with
[ ice.
/ Mr.. Richardson pronounces the pub
I lished statement, TO the effect that he
/ haQ offered Mcfarland 4 l&rSe sum OF
money and a foreign cOnsulship to
abandon his claims to his wife, an utter
/ falsehOOd.
Mrs. Mcfarland, who, since her di-
( vOrce, has resumed her maiden name
I of Sage, denies in toto the statement
set forth by her husband that she was
ever found by him in the room of Mr..
Richardson. She displayed great re-
/ luctance 10 speak Of the troubles and
/ incidents OF her married life, but finally
stated that Mcfarland had for years
been in the habit Of exhibiting the
most ungOvernable temper. In his
/ fits Of frenzy he would smash the fur
uiture and tear his clothing to tatters,
and strike and beat her in the most
brutal manner. She has dwelt with
him for years under constant appre-
hension OF murder. During the year
and half that she spent in lndianapo.
lis to procure her divorce, she did not
once meet Richardson. She is a wo-
man lovely in person, sweet and gen
tie in manners, with voice soft anC
musical as COrdelia's, and no one look.
ing at her can believe for a moment
that the shadow of conscious guilt has
ever rested upon her soul.