New-York tribune., 1911-10-26
MACFARLAND INDICTED
Newark Prisoner Says Murder
Charge Is "PrepOSterouS."
ADMITS WANTING DIVORCE
Father in Laws Faith Waivers
Police Reveal More Details
as to Florence Bromley.

With a celerity that marks Jersey JUS
tice," and contrary to expectations. the
Essex County Grand Jury returned an In
dictment yesterday. for murder. against
Allison MacFarland. the advertising man,
held in Newark for the death OF his wife.
Evelyn. by cyanide poisoning.
Prosecutor Wilbur A. Mott submitted
the states evidence in the case TO tho
grand jury Tuesday afternoon. and yes
terday the indictment was fled I'm tho
Court Of oyer and Terminer. Later in this
day MacFarland prepared a statement.
saying he had reasons for desiring di-
vorce. but everything 20 lose by his wlfes
death under such circumstances.
The prosecutor, his detective. Walter
Godfrey and some expert jewellers. wers
the only Witnesses The jewellers were
there to tell OF the probable effect Of cya-
nide IL used as , polish on jewelry. Mac
Farland In a statement 10 the authorities
as to why the poison was In his home, said
he got IT because his wife asked for some
with which to polish her jewelry
The jewellers said cyanide was not used
as a polish. They agreed that with a
diamond and pearl ring, such as was
shown them in tho effects Of Mrs. MacFar-
land, the poison would destroy the pearl.
Godfrey gave the testimony which played
the chief part in leading the grand jury
to indct MacFarland. He produced more
than a dozen love letters written by Miss
Florence Bromley, OF Philadelphia. to the
prisoner. one OF them dated no later than
last Friday. The missves revealed the re-
latons between the girl and the accused
man.
In addition 10 this evidence. Godfrey told
what he learned i'm his investigation in
Newark. Philadelphia and Manhattan re-
garding both mcfarland and Miss Brom-
ley. story that held the Philadelphia
young woman up in anything but favor
able light was that which the detective
told the grand jury I'm describing how AMI
when MacFarland. preferring the blonde
stenographer to his wife and children.
spent his time In the Quaker City.
Admissions made by Miss Bromley that
she loved MacFarland. and that che re-
ceived many letters from him replete with
endearng terms, formed a part OF the
data which the detective submitted. He
explained that Miss Bromley. when asked
for the letters, said she had destroyed
them in fear her parents might see them.
MacFarIand's Statement.
after iScTIlDS lHal nc Adu uetH ii4"i'Ncb
for murder MacFarland prepared the FOL.
lowing statement for publication.
TO straighten out some glaring inaccu-
racies IN the published statements OF THIS
case, | call attention 10 the following facts,
which, so far as / know are now not dis
puted by the District Attorneys Office or
any one having any real knowledge or the
case. These and other points not yet puo-
llshed VIII convince any reasoning mlhi
that charge against me Is preposterods.
| | had plenty OF motives for divorce, out
none for murder.
! 'Peacock's solution Of hrOmiuos, which
have always understood u be dangerous
dope. and not thing 10 take IN the DARK.
This was the only bromide in the house. 80
far as | know. II is a liquid almost black
in color and having a very penetrating
odor and characteristic disaGreosble taste:
This stuff was not used by anybody. ana
might as well have been thrown out.
bought ii for myself, but had not much
use for II. ! gave some To my wife on
three, or possibly four occasions TO ma
dope" and she objected 20 The taste, ant
it had no apparent effect on her
The cyanide solution was plainly iaDeuet
with white paper, marked WITH black lnA,
Poison, cyanide solution
Tire published stuff about changing labels
is the rlnkeSt nonsense ana, 50 Iaf as l
know, IT. arises from pr Gale alleged s.ssa
poison" DR.. Gale only glNced al tho
bottle and. so far as / know, hasn't sect
il since TO compare his recollection win
the facts microscopic examination n
the label should refute this iaea. | do rot
think, however that any one IN authority
makes such charges.
The cyanide solution is a clear, colorless
liquid Ike water, and has no marked DOOR.
II has very nasty taste, and any one
first instincts IN getting II into his mouth
would be- to spit II ont and rinse MS
mouth II IS totally different from the
bromide stuff and a blind man would not
mistake one for the other. J would rather
let il 40 as a mistake, and did so, hoping
that the common sense Of the AUTHORITIES
would show them the absurdity. II seemsr
However. that 7 am compelled 10 defend
the charge. and can do so II necessary
NV attorney has all Of the facts ana,
when he is ready. can easily show up tho
Inconsistencies Of the case My only fear
is that the refutaton will not get as wide
publicity as the accusation. ask my
friends 10 suspend judgment until they
hear IL all
The affair is ore for extreme sorrow and
regret on my part but a murder charge
is absurd / had all 10 lose aud nothing
10 gain bv my wife's death under sucn
circumstances.