The Placer herald., 1870-01-01
The Richardson Mcfarland Tragedy.

We make the following extracts rom
quite a lengthy statement Of this case We
tiud in the Golden Era:
Mrs. Abby Sage was msrried when quite
young to Daniel Mcfarland, New York
lawyer of soms prominence. For soms
years they lived happily together. As We
ing Of such notorious romancss as Horace
Greeley and Theodore Tiltoi, We give at
each point the evidence upon which our
statement is based. Following 10 the tssti-
monv of the landsdy of the house in which
Mr.. and Mrs. Mcfarland lived given in the
habeas corpus case instituted by Mr.. Nc
Failsnd, for the recovery Of a child Rich.
ardssu aud Mrs. Mcfarland bad spirited
away:
G. Did you while said Mr.. and Mrs.
Mcfarland occupied or hired said rooms OF
YOU notice or observe their manner toward
each other. A. have observed their coz
duct; bis conduct to her was particularly
kind: her conduct to him WAS equally so
Mr. Mcfarland wsa very domestic; be was
never out Of the house evenings; be was con.
stantly devoted to teaching his little boy
Percy; | never saw father more devoted;
| never kns" him while he was at my house
to use any intoxicating drink, nor knew him
to be addicted that way; be never was un
der the influence of Intoxicating drink to
my knowledge while he occupied rooms in
the house; he always treated his wife with
great kindness; be was perfect slave to
her, bad daily means Of observing it;
have soen him boding bsr artificial curs
for her while she curlsd them, and slso pick
wild fowl for her on several occasions, and
she told me .ha! be would every night
bring hsr beer to druk; be was perfectly
wrapped up 10 his boy.
G Did you ever observe the habits and
customs Of Mrs. Mcfarland rs to being at
home during the days aud evenings while
she and her husband lived with you! A.
She was frequently ou. at nights visiting
while Mr.. Mcfarland stayed at home teach
ing his boy; she frequently went out with
visitors Of bsrs-her acquaintance she al
ways told me that her husband was very
can rsoollso; some two or three weeks be
fore the shootipg; she sent me message to
say that she left my house because my
daughters bad the scarlet fever; and gave
that as reason for leaving.
The court in this case gave the child to
the father.
HOW THEY MET.
Mr.. McFarADJ's IandlAdy testified that
Mrs Mcfarland was often out at pigbts
while her husband remained at home to
teach their boy. We see 10 this extract
whore and how abe spent her time:
Mr.. Richardson. who WAS frequent vis-
tor to the house Of the publisher OF the Tri-
Jane, Mr.. SucIair, happened one evening,
some three years Hgo, 10 meet aud become
introduced there TO The wife of Mr., MrFar-
land Mr.. SincaiIs house WAS said to be
the rendezvous Of many literary ladies' and
gsntlelnen whose names are quite familiar
in jolrnslistlc circles, aud whose topics Of
conversation embraced among other things
the relations of the ssxes and the prime pie
Of psychological siliui,iss. Mrs. Mcfarland
was just sufficiently educated and metapbys'
ically inclined to understand and take an
interest in these novel themes Of controver-
~, and Mr.. Richardson, who had n similar
tendency Of thought, naturally begac to
take some Goncsrn in his new and attrac-
tive acquaintance.
MR.. McFARLAND's STATEMENT.
Subsequent to his recent arrest Mr.. Nc
Farland made a staemsnt, from which we
extract:
"Mr Richardson, about three years ago,
obtained rooms in the house which | occu
pied. From this time he commenced to
frequent my rooms, talking with, luucbing
with, and walking out with my wife. When
| found this out, talked with her gently,
demonstrated with her, aud we made it all
up. The next day, when | returned from
business, found my wife and child sbssat.
Mr. Richardson bad removed my wife to No.
8 Washington place, aud, al hls own ex-
psnss, sent my eldest boy to Boston; my
younger son bad been sent away month
or two previous. For fsw days could
not see my wife. At length her father came
down, and | had M interview with her. |
sntrsated her not to take step Of this kind.
Mr.. Richardson pretended to sympsthizs
with ne. | asked him for my child; where
Was he lie told me | would know to-
morrow; and then, on my promising not to
institute a search for him on that day. he
sad that be had bssn sen. to Boston. |
instituted a ha6eas corpus suit in Boston for
the recovery OF my children, bat only suc-
cssded 10 getting the eldest; my younges.
have not seen for abou. two years. About
Two weeks after this a letter fell into my
hands through the medium Of the 1ribnne
office, written by Richardson and addressed
to my wife. Thi. letter was one of twelve
or fourteen which be had addressed through
the same channel. 10 this letter he called
her 'his wife, bis dear wife and said tbs.
in few months she would be openly 80.
lie has ever since had control of my wife
and child. stopping with her at various
places 10 New Jersey. | was offered
large sum of money and foreign oonsuship
# would lot the matter drop. am 10
formed that they (my wifs and Richard'on)
have obtained a fraudulent divorce aud are
fraudussntly married. Previous to Rich.
srdsou's coming to my house be had had
communication with my vile aud sent let