The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1870-05-26

storm OF outrage and ABUSE Us VIII hot Try 10
II was in the Spring OF 1868 that Iattempted to
see Percy. After the outrageous scene, which
thins-that must at once take legal steps to get
! free from Mr.. Mcfarland. decided very soon
! to go to Indiana. The laws there as found on
consultation, permit q divorce for drunkenness,
extreme cruelty, and failure to support wife,
| knew beyond doubt that Mr.. Mcfarland had
committed adultery while lived with him as
his wife. had been offered proof that he had
committed that crime against marriage since
had ceased to live with him. was told that
adultery was the only ground on which divorce
In New-York was obtainable. But repeat now
what said then, with all my soul upon my lips,
that considered his treatment OF me- his per-
sonal abuses, his terrible profanity, his outragcs
OF all kinds, an Infinitely greater sin against me
and my womanhood than II he had committed
again and again, unknown to me, the crime
SSains ths marriage relation Mhica ,Ga .3S o9y fGy
divorce, My opinion In this remains unchanged
even while write. So went to Indiana, and
remained there 10 months, only once coming
home FOR little visit in Massachusetts, at Christi
mas. On the 3lst OF October, 1869, l returned to
my mothers house legally set free from my first
marriage bond by the decision Of one OF the
States under the Constitution which afIirms that
full faith and credit shall be given in each State
70 the public acts, records and judicial proceed
ings OF every other State.
During the long time, almost three years, that
ensued between my former separation from Nc
Farland and my legal divorce, my acquaintance
with Mr.. Richardson had been most carefully
guarded. We agreed, and all our friends agreed,
that we had been rash and foolish. After / re-
turned to my fathers in March, after Mr.. Rich
ards0n was wounded, did not see him for
months. Then he came to my fathers house in
this wise: Mr.. John f. Cleveland of New York,
an old friend of Mr. Mcfarland, came to Mr..
Richardson and told him that Mr.. Mcfarland
desired that he should go en- to see me and see II
some settlement could not be made. Mr. Rich
ardson, supposlng this trap, at first refused 10
go, but finally, after consulting his own lawyer,
Mr. John sedgwick, and on Mr.. Cleveland Civ.
ing his pledge as gentleman that no mischief
was meant Mr.. Richardson came on to see me
these were the beginning Of the offers on McFar-
lands part which led to the division of my chill
| dren. After Percy went away, when was most
visited me again at my fathers, in the Fall Of
1867. When / went to New York In the Spring
of 1858, before left for Indiana, saw him Occa.
sionally in the presence of friends Of his and
mine. During all my stay in Indiana, and in all
his frequent Journeylngs West, never saw him
once, and he carefully avoided passing through
the sy where SoRPed to Eye mo- no shsdow 6t Of
1868, came home free. On November II, 1869,
| Mr.. Richardson came on to his mothers house
in Midway to Thanksgiving. On Thanksgiving
evening met him at the railroad station, as he
| came from his aged mothers, whose youngest
son he was For the first time since he was shot
| in 1867 walked with him in the street. In all
that time we had entered no place Of amuse-
ment together, and had only once met accident
ally at one evening party at the house of q mu.
| tual friend. 1t seemed as II for the first time
had right to talk freely, and unreservedly to
| him, 10 carefully had our acquaintance with
each other been protected.
On the day after Thanksgiving Mr.. Richard
son went back to Ncw-York. Nothing definite
was planned about our future. We could still
AFFORD to wait till events shaped themselves
| Just q week after he left, q dispatch came that
| he was MORALLY hurt, and came to New York
| to nurse him till he died. When came he asked
me, II there should seem at any time to be no
once, and ! said would Otherwise we decided
to wait till he recovered. l suppose he wished
to be married that might have irmer legal
right to take the charge and rearing of his three
orphaned children; and also because he could
die more peacefully having made me his wife.
As for myself, II | had ten thousand lives,
should have been more than glad TO have given
them up for him who was dying for the crime of
having loved me; and his llghtest wish In the
matter would have weighed with me against all
other motives In the world. 80, when II became
plain that he must go away from all the hearts
that yearned to hold him here we were married.
This is the whole true story OF oil that has
happened to me. said when wrote 1t should
tell the whole. II 1t were gullticr / should have
told II Just the same. / think the same thing
might have happened to any man or woman
| who lives, without bringing TO them either re-
morse or shame, and often without bringing
any reproach.
As to Mr.. Mcfarland himself, believe now,as
have believed for years, that he was q man
born to do a murder. The fact that no was al
ways uttering threats OF bloodshed does not so
much convince mo Of this as the fact OF his tenn
| permanent, which, partly from hereditary causes,
partly from Nationality, and partly from bad
| education, had become one OF uncomfortable
| violence. believe he feared this himself Often
| during our carly married life, when told him
In his reasonable moments that he would kill
| me In some OF his fits OF passion he asserted
| with Yehemencc that he "should never harm
hair Of my head" Toward the last of my life
with him, however, lie said several times In
answer TO expressed fears. ~ shall never harm
you, II knolD you," which convinced me that
he did not feel sure Of himself. And I believe
simply and truly that II had stayed with him,
sooner or later should have been the victim OF
his blind fury.
have written all without malice or hard feel.
ing against him. Mr.. Mcfarland married inc a
girl in years, u child in experience. In every
way he abused his claim In me, he turned my
love 10 bitterness, he took all the bloom and
sweetness from my life. When l went away
and he found l had begun, perhaps, TO feel q
hope OF happiness, his wounded vanity and de-
sire for revenge turned his naturally mad tenn
per into blackest madness. lie sworo TO my
friends, by all the fends, that he would rob me
OF my reputation, my children, all held dear"
When the trial OF his iIfe commenced % nee com.
mlserated him deeply. knew that death which
seemed so Infinitely sweet and peaceful and
blessed, when turned from Mr.. Richardson's
death-bcd was TO this unhappy man the most
terrible OF horrors. l hoped with all my heart
that he would escape the barbarous law And
when heard that Judge Davis was engaged in
the case went to him and sad "You under
stand fully that In this case have one interest.
The man on trial Is on trial for his lfe but am
no less on trial than he, and for something In
nitGly dearer 10 any woman than life could be.
The best friends have are Rssailed with me-
good people who have befrended both the pris-
oner and myself IfyOu can only let in O little
light OF truth In all this cloud OF abuse and cal
umny beg that you will do IL. For the rest
hope this man will not be convicted, md no ono
Is more willing to believe him insane than am" !"
Judge Davis promised that all he could do to tho
end asked him, should be done. That II posi-
sible, Mr.. Richardson's memory, my own honor,
and the reputation of my best friends should be
yindlcatcd. What stumbling g-blocks were placed
In his way Will not try TO disclose. 1t Is enough
to say that at the last moment change was
made In the summing up contrary to tho expec-
tatiOn OF every person concerned.
There is but one word moro to say, and I will
say II briefly, II Is well known that have been
on trial before n New-York Court as much as
Daniel Mcfarland and for crime more heinOus
and more bitterly punished in woman than
murder committed by man. And II is clearly
seen by all who see dlspassonately that whes-
ever loop-hole was opened for any truth about
my conduct or Mr.. Richardson's It was immedl-
ately stopped have tasted TO Its dregs the cup
ofJustice which, In the nineteenth century men
born OF women mete out TO one whose worst |
crime was the mistake OF marrying man who |
was half madman from natural inheritance |
half brute from natural proclivity. OF the Jus- |
tioe have received let those who read my story |
DO witnesses.
CITY and County Of Netg- York, 49,: Abby 8. Rich.
nrdsOn being duly sworn, deposes and says that |
the above statement IL true according to her |
ABBY SAGE RIcHARDsoN.
Sworn to before me this eth day OF May, 1870. |
WIN. BARKER, Notary Public, N. 7. Co.