Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-04-09
Trial of Mcfarland the Murderer
Of Albert d. Richardson.
The FIFTH DAYS PROCEEDINGS.
Argument of the Counsel for the De.
fence.

New York, April 5.
In the trial of Mcfarland to-day, James
Mcfarland a brother of the prisoner was
witness. He testified to Netherlands early
life in this country, and his business ventures
in the south, his lecturing at the north, his
studying at Dartmouth College, and his visit
to Europe in 1856 to prosecute scientific
studies. He remembered the marriage of
Mr.. Mcfarland to Miss Suge and called
upon them after their marriage in Jersey
City. When next he saw them they had a
child, Jessie, and afterwards had two others,
Daniel and Percy. He next saw them in
1860, and after that not until July or August,
1867, when Daniel looked careworn, and ap.
pearcd to be in trouble. and his hair was get
ting gray. Francis Mcfarland was a first
cousin of the witness.
The next witness was Lille Graw, neice
of Manager Graw, who testified that she re-
sided i'll East 9th St. knew the dcfendent ;
he went to lodge at her mothers house in Oc-
tober, 1869; his little boy Percy was with
him sometime; he cooked his meals in his
room. and sometimes he got them outside !;
he paid 81 so per week for his ROOM Her
mother and she always retired at about ten
O'Clock. If Mr.. Mcfarland was out after
that hour they were not aware of it. The
prisoner has never had much intercourse with
NtI VI uSisSii, MS WHY very
irregular. A gentleman was in his room
at about twelve o'clock one night about
week before the time Of the homicide; he
went out early one morning during that week
about one O'Clock; he returned in about an
hour; remember of Mcfarland having paid
a week in advanced for his room the day be-
fore the act occurred. ..-..#.
Anna II. Burns testified that she resided in
Boston and had come on to be witness. She
had known the prisoner more than 90 years !;
know Mrs. Mcfarland and was present at
their marriage; it occurred on Dec. l4th, 81.
The marriage ceremony was solemniZed by
DIR. Theodore Parker. Saw Mrs. Mcfarland
at Woodside, n. j.. where she went under the
name of Mrs. Richardson; with her was Rich
ardson's children and one of her own. Mrs.
McFarland's father keeps small periodical
store in Boston; he has kept the store for
about two years.
George A. Simmons, an officer at Black
wells Island, testified to the admission to the
Lunatic Asylum of Francis Mcfarland,
though the register contained nothing to indi-
cate the kind of insanity.
Thos. Z. Morris testified that he resided in
Brooklyn and was physician; knew Francis
Mcfarland who died in lo47; he lived in
Brooklyn with his mother and his daughter;
he was about 46 years old when he died.
John O'Brien. clerk at the West Moreland
Hotel, testified that he saw Mcfarland on the
night of Nov. %, 1862 he came and asked
for room, was assigned one and asked if he
would not go up; he said no, he was waiting
for gentleman. Afterwards ne went up to
lis room and subsequently two detectives
came and arrested him. Mcfarland appeared
10 be very nervous and excited,
The Counsel for the defence in his argu-
IN. eoiI. In p,nh
ardaon was born, in an evil hour for this man.
He was correspondent during the war, and
was taken prisoner. Subsequently he pub
lished several interesting works. He was a
man well calculated to charm the woman with
whom he about this time became acquainted
He then commenced to plot to ALLEVIATE Mrs.
Mex arland from her husband. Notes were
exchanged, and through the fundamentally
OF Richardson she procured an engagement at
the Winter Garden Theatre. Richardson it
was who used to accompany her nome after
the theatre was out When Mcfarland was
away Richardson and this woman would go
out to gcther, and often locked themselves up
together in the same room.
The Counsel in continuation related the
circumstance of the intercourse between
Richardson and Mrs. Mcfarland, Mcfarland
that the defence would be able to
prove satisfactorily that it was an adulterous
connection.
Richardson became boarder at the same
house with Mcfarland in 1867, and on Friday
the 2lst of February, 1867, Mcfarland came
home and discovered his wife coming out of
Richardson's room. He questioned her, and
to his circumstances she returned evasive an
swers. She then moved in circles where she
met such men MS Coltax, Tilton and others,
and her ambition was excised to such degree
that she would not be satisfied with her hus-
bands humble home. On the ?lst Of Febru-
airy he went out of his home, his wife bidding
him an atfectionate farewell, and he returned
little after to find his home desolate and his
altar shattered; his wife having fed, taking
her children with her. What, then, was the
state of the prisoners mind? His hopes were
broken, his lite rendered desolate, and dark
ness and ruin encompassed him. There was
nothing in McFarland's conduct to justify his