Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-11-12


clerk, was in charge of tho office at tho
time. and knowing Mcfarland by sight he
did not think it strange to SEQ him taking
n chair behind the counter, where he pre-
tended to write, as King thought, an ad-
vertisement.
Mcfarland had been seated about ten
minutes when Albert d. Richardson, a
well known correspondent of The Tribune
came into the Office from Spruce street
and asked King if there were any letters
for him. While King was examining the
letter box Mcfarland sprang to his feet,
and drawing pistol from his breast pocket
shouted, oh you, now I've got you!"
Richardson was so startled by the act thst
he could not avoid the danger before the
man at the other side of the counter began
firing. After the third shot Mcfarland
leaped across the counter, ran unobstruct-
cd through the Nassau street door and dis
appeared.
Mr.. Richardson, who was tall, power
full man in the prime of life, told King
that he did not think he was badly hurt.
He made his way up four flights of stairs
to the editorial rooms, where he fell faint
ing on a sofa.
DIR. Swain of the Astor House was sent
for. He examined the bullet hole in
Richardson's breast without being able to
locate the bullet and then sadly shook his
head
MIR. Richardson was told of his critical
condition, and ut the doctors suggestion
no was taken to the AstOr House.
After leaving The Tribune office McFar-
land went to the Westmoreland hotel,
where he had never been before, and Sc
cured room No. 81, which he paid for in
advance. Here he was found by the Off
GERS and charged with the murder of AL
bert ID. Richardson. He was much agitat.
ed and at first denied the crime, but after
ward said: Eyes, now l recall. 1t must
have been me-" He was at once taken to
the Astor House and brought into Rich
ardsons presence, who recognized him a.
the man who did tho shooting.
Mcfarland was locked up in the Tombs.
| and Richardson made preparations for the
death which no was now assured was in.
evitable.
At that time Albert d. Richardson was
one OF the best known newspaper men in
| the country. He was sc years of age hand
| some and well educated. Although not
regularly in the service, he displayed as a
correspondent during the war a courage
quite as marked as was his ability rs "A
writer. Richardson was on one of the
vessels Of Grant fleet, which was sunk in
trying to pass tho batteries at Vicksburg.
He and fellow correspondent, Junius
Henri Browne. were sent on from Vicks-
burg to Libby prison. From Libby the
correspondents were sent to the prison at
| Salisbury, y. G. After great suffering for
more than year at this point Richardson
and Browne succeeded In making their
escape, thrilling narrative of which was
| afterward written by the former.
Richardson at this time was q widower
and a man of the most correct habits. He
was the friend of Beecher, Greeley and
other prominent men. A few years before
his assassination he met Mrs. Abby Sage
Mcfarland, who had grown to be d wom-
an Of marked ability and refinement. The
| habits OF her husband compelled her to
leave him, and she was now making a liv-
| ing with her pen in addition to playing
| minor parts in a series of classical PLAYS
that were then being given at Niblo's
theatcr. Several times before she had sen.
arated from her husband, who had de.
| ceiyed her rs to his earnings and who rob.
bed her, 1t Is claimed, of the money she
| made for the support Of herself and child.
| Determined to be free she went to Indiana
| IN 1865 and there secured q divorce. her
| husband making no defense.
| 1t Is very certain that Richardson loved
her. regarded her as free woman and
Was ready when his own affairs permitted
to make her his wife.
Mcfarland, it is said, bounded his wife
| in the city. and after vain efforts to induce
her To return he made up his mind that
richardson was the obstruction in the
way. and he determined to remove him.
| 1t Is very certain that not only Richard
son but other men of character believed
that Mrs. Mcfarland was free On Nov
80, five days after the shooting and two
days before his death, the Rev. Henry
| Ward Beecher and the Rev. o. B. Froth,
ingham came with Mrs. Abby Sage, "
as she now called herself, to the dyine
mans room. There were also present
| Horace Sreeley. Junius Henri Browne and
| other friends Of both parties. RichardsoE