The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-01-12

I" Il iHdlltf u lllti'itt, Hd-fI on Fi1r :
alleged attentions to Mrs. Richardson. and
upon oircumstantiaI evidence. Here. too.
the sentiment of the community is divided.
L. 7. Cooper. who conducts a drug store
in Savannah. Mayor Knickerbocker and
other prominent men OF the town. scout
the suggestion of Flies guilt. and their
IDEAS on the crime Imply much hitherto
unsupported by evidence and involve names
not publicly identified with the case. They
represent many others. At the same time,
among some of the Young men. the con-
trary is believed.
RICHARDSON y
FIFE FAMILIES.
The Richardson and Fife families have
been for years among .khe ~best-known in
Northwest Missouri. Frank ". Richard
sons father was a partner in the Seminar
Richardson Cracker Company; the firm has
row been absorbed by the cracker trust. in
Willy John y. Richardson. brother OF the
dead. is an official. Thomas Fife. now liy-
ing at ST. joseph. father of Stewart Fife.
was for a very long period a member Of
the Johnson-Fife Hal Company in st. Jo-
seph. Later re entered with Frank W.
Richardson into q dry goods business at Sa-
vannah. The partnership. hich has now
sold its interests. was known as the Fife
Richardson Mercantile Company, and in il
George w. Crowley. son of a wealthy resi-
dent of Andrew County. who figured prorni-
nently as a witness at the inquest. held
an interest.
When a young man. Frank Richardson
went 10 Texas and became Il rancher. 1t
was in the Lone Star State that he met
and married his wife. She was then a
slip Of a girl. l6 years old, living near
Fort Worth. but reared to the free life of
the Southwest, fond of adventure and ex-
element. Expert as 4 horsewoman. per-
sonally attractive. bright. with an unusual
charm. she fascinated Richardson. Her
youth caused her parents to oppose the
match. but objections were ov%erridden,
and the marriage took place.
For ten years of their married life they
continued to live the outdoor exhilarating,
but isolated ranch life. Their home was
forty miles from the nearest community.
Amusements were few. but. during this pc
Rod. they were lovers. and time sped by
quickly enough. Mrs Richardson. liking
the spice of danger. became an expert. even
daring. horsewoman. 1t is said she could
match her skill with pistol or lariat with
that OF. any cowboy. and among these rough
dcnizens of the plains she was regarded as
a heroine.
SIN YEARS
CAME TO SAVANNAH.
Six years ago Frank Richardson decided
to return North. The ranch was sold and
the family went to St. Joseph. Soon after
he entered into partnership with Thorn, 10
Fife. and the two-story CONGRATULATIONS
ing frame house at Savannah-that. az the
scene of Richardson's death. has been pic
tured in newspapers of many ~cities-becdma
their home. In this community. small, but
lively, awake to business and socially
active, Mrs. Richardson at once took a
prominent place, becoming a leader among
the women in things social, and admire of
the men.
As the published testimony of the inquest
has shown, serious differences arose he
tween Mr.. and Mrs. Richardson during
these latter years. The husband was a
His wife has alleged. and others
have testified that his periods of intoxica-
known to exist between Richardson and
who held a clerkship in the Fife
Mercantile Company. Flies a.
legged attentions to Mrs. Richardson ver.
said TO be the cause. though. in this connec-
ton. according to Chief Counsel Brewster
for the defense, an effort will be made IN
show that any jealousy which may have ex-
lsted was based upon rivalry in another |
and hitherto unsupported quarter.
Evidence. thus far given. discovered an |
other cause for difference between husband
and wife. and at one time a separation was
Imminent. but a few weeks before that ia
tai Christmas Eve a reconciliation took |
place. Richardson announced his intention
to henceforth walk in the straight and mar
row path. Mrs. Richardson forgave, and
they were to begin life anew, on the basis |
Of lovers, as in their happiest Texan DAYS.
IN the Sunday before the Christmas Eve |
both he and she dined at the home of Holt |
Alison. in Savannah, and at the trial the
Alisons, say the defense, will testify to at |
fectionate demeanor toward one another.
EVE
Of THE TRAGEDY. !
Now comes that evening before Christ |
mas. customarily one of rejoicing.
The Richardson's had dined at home about
o'clock. and with them was George Crow ]
ey. After the meal. about I o'clock, Rich