The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1907-07-05
% OR HERO.
sed Lieut.. Richardson to
Desert His Fiance
H HOLY ALTAR?

alEIN+HErtEt #HI #Ht-."
mendous Courage to Do What He
Did Do, Jilt Her And Kill Himself.
Is it possible TO rsuicide to be a
deed of ieroism? Is modern civiliz-
alton justified in accepting Suicide"
and "cowardice" as synonymous
terms?
Just now this much-argued theory
gains a most interesting illustration
lone way or the other--in the case
Of the late Lieut.. Mack Richardson,
u. S. A., who killed himself after
being forced out of the army because
he had deserted, almost at the altar,
the girl whom he was engaged to
marry.
Since his death some of his brother
olficers---the same mes who held him
in the greatest contempt for his con-
duct toward his betrOthed BRIDE
have declared that he died a brave
man, owing to conditions that no one
but himself knew about until after
he was dead.
The whole story is told here, and
in connection with it are printed the
crucial scenes in Guy dc Maupas-
SAINTS tale entitled, "a Coward''---
probably the best psychological study
OF suicide ever written.
Lieutenant Richardson was attach
ed to the Twcnty-sixth Infantry
which up to Il few months ago was
stationed at Brownsville, Texas. He
was captain of a Missouri regiment
that served in the Spanish-American
war, and gave SO good an account of
himself that, wren the wan was over,
he was commissioned a first licuten-
ant in the regular army.
He was a widower, thirty-scvcn
years old. His brothor officers liked
and esteemed him, and society at
Brownsville found him a genuine ac-
QUESTION.
In Brownsville the family of Cap
tain William Kelley, president of the
First National Bank Of that city,
were socially Of much Importance,
and beautiful Anna Kelley was a re-
cogniZed belle. Lieutenant Richard
son paid her much attention. He won
her love. About eight months ago
their engagement was announced.
The date for their wedding was set
for Tuesday evening, May Id.
This was the date of the annivcr-
sary Of the marriage of Miss Kelley's
. parents. 1t was planned that the
combined wedding and anniversary
should be d great social event for the
whole Of Texas. Lieutenant Rich
ardson's brother officers rallied
round him, overwhelmed him with
congratulations and were eager to
shed military glory upon the mar
riage scene.
Following the negro regiment dis
turbance at Brownsville Lieutenant
Richardson's regiment was transfer
red to Fort Sam Houston. That made
no difference in the officers enthusi-
assn over the Forthcoming wedding;
it was known that there would be
distinguished guests from all over
the State.
Last November Lieutenant Rich
ardson fell i'll. He recovered, but
his convalcSccncc progressed slowly.
He lacked his old carclcssncsS. There
were times when he did not appear
himself at all. When asked about it,
he replied cvasivcly, ~ said that he
had not yet shaken off the effects of
his illness.
Lieutenant Richardson correspond
ed regularly with his fanccc. 1t was
arranged that he and his brother Of
ficers should arrive in Brownsville on
May 10, the day before that set for
the wedding.
Accompanied by several officers,
the lieutenant went to the station to
take the train to Brownsville. AS the
train rolled in---hc had appeared thcI
gayest member of the party--hc
suddenly slapped his thigh and said:
"By JoVc; I've forgotten the ring;
I'll follow ON a later train"
SO the other officers boarded the
train, one Of them checking Licutcn-
ant Richardson's trunk on his ticket.
Arriving in Brownsville, the Of
liccrs explained the bridegroom could
not arrive till the coming Of the next
train. The hour for the ceremony
arrived. Still no bridegroom.
Captain Kcllcy's residence was
beautifully decorated. The bridal
supper was spread. The wedding
presents were displayed, the house
was filed with guests, including
many Of Lieutenant RE "dson's
comrades. Then entered a messenger
with this telegram for the bride:
cam too sick to come"
She bore up bravcly. TO the guests
an announcement was made that tho
wedding was postponed, and why.
With forced gaycty Captain Kelley
and his daughter and wife invited
the guess to remain to supper in
celebration Of his wedding annivcr-
sary. Lieutenant Richardson's broth
or officers were the only guests who
seemed especially disturbed.
On the following day CAPTAIN Kcl-
Icy started q quiet Investigation. He
learned that at the hour set for the
wedding Lieutenant Richardson was
driving about San Antonio in an
automobile.
When the officers Of the wedding
party turned to their posts not one
would :nrak to, or recognize Lieu
tenant RiclWdson, except inconncc-
ton with ncc cGsary orders. The re-
creant bridegroom found himself
completely ostraciscd. He volunteers
ed no explanation, but when pressure
was brought ~ bear to force him to
resign from the army, he cxclaim-