The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-06-06
Great Trials of History.
TRIAL OF DANIEL NACFARLAND.

TRIAL OF DANIEL NIACFARLAND.
A tragedy almost entirely forgot
| ten to-day, but which ut the time cre-
/ ated an unusual amount Of excitement
| throughout tho United States, was tho
| killing of Albert d. Richardson, Il war
correspondent long attached to the New
! York Tribune. In the office of that
newspaper by Daniel MacFarland; a
lawyer. on tho evening of November
; Is. 1869. AT one time tho two men
were close friends. but MacFarland
believed that Richardson bore entire
! ly too friendly relationship with Mrs.
MacFarland. and they became estrang-
cd. and the result was murder.
Shortly after o'clock, MacFarland,
who had the "entree" to the office of
tho Tribune. was standing back of the
counter in the business Office talking
to n clerk, when Richardson entered.
The latter had not been ten minutes
in the office when MacFarland APP
preached him, and without saying n
word fired the fatal shot. The wound
ed man. without saying Il word. walked
to the editorial rooms. and there col
lapsed and was conveyed 10 the Astor
House. MacFarland was arrested.
In a statement made the day after
the shooting he said that he had lived
tremendously and happily with his
wife for ninc years. until she formed
the acquaintance OF Richardson, and
from that moment his happiness was
destroyed. Mrs. mcfarland left her
husband on February 81, 1867, and OBJ
tained divorce In Illinois. lie plead
ed with her not to take the step for
their children's sake. hut she was in
fatuated with Richardson. who con-
, tributed to her support for the two
years following. She took the two
,,.lf1
was put at great expense to recover
his son through a habeas corpus pro-
cecding.
When Richardson's condition bo-
camc critical on November 30, he en-
pressed the desire to marry Mrs. Mac
Farland, and Rev. Henry Ward Beech
or. the eminent minister. performed the
ceremony. lie died at A. NJ. on Dc
ccmber ?, and was buried the follow
Ing day. Among those who attended
the funeral were Honorable Whitelaw
Reid. Edmund Clarence Stedman, IIor-
ace Greeley. editor OF the Tribune and
other distinguished men.
Resides his ability as newspaper
writer, Richardson had written and
published a number OF volumes, most
~ experiences In camp and field during
the Civil War. AT the bedside mar
riaGe OF Richardson and Mrs. MacFar-
land the dying mans pastor, Rev. y.
B. Frothingham. assisted. and his Of
ferinG up of the prayer. containing
these lines. wss severely criticized:
May no take, her image with him and
may she. bearing his name. and vlndi-
eating his honor. carry him about
with her through all the pilgrimage
that is yet before her. TO strengthen
her courage"
Mr.. Beecher was also severely criti-
cized by the newspapers for perform
ing the marriage ceremony under the
circumstances. An inquest was held
Immediately after the death OF Rich
ardson. and MacFarland was indicted
for murder. His trial did not occur
until the following April 4, but II re-
CURED until tho 9TH before fury
was secured. The trial was continued
until May 10. Those who gave tcsti-
mony were employees of tho Tribune
Office who had witnessed the shooting
including Daniel Frolman, now the
wcll-known theatrical manager, but
then the advertising clerk of the news
paper. All that was necessary was
TO establish the shooting and death
OF Mr.. Richardson. and the prosecution
rested their side Of the case to hear
that of the defense.
The defense was that at the time
he had committed the murder Mac
tarland was temporarily insane through
worry over family affairs. Letters
were introduced written by Richard
son TO show tho intimacy that existed
between the murdered man and Mrs.
MacFarland. but sent. however, after
she had obtained a divorce as we'll as
number from Mrs. Calhoun, n wo-
man more or less favorably inclined
to the free love" theory, and a most
intimate friend OF Mrs. MacFarIand
specialists gave testimony ms to the
mental condition of the murderer
Aside from the sensational testi
mony presented. the opposing counsel
were so vicious in their department
mat 1t was with difficulty that they
were kept from exchanging blows.
The recorder charged the jury on
the morning OF May 10. and after they
had deliberated three hours they
brought in verdict of mot guity."
TO add to tho sensation OF tho case.
the Following day Mrs. Richardson NIB
lished the story of her life In the Tr
bunc, In which she accused MacFar-
land Of deceit IN their marriage or
drunkenness, brutality and neglect. and
mentioned In detail many incidents In
proof of her allegations, of how he
had frequently struck her, and. In his
fury. would seize and break ANYTHING
within reach. The verdict was renor.
ally approved, although Il was many
years before this murder ceased to be
subject of discussion