Detroit evening times., 1945-11-25

~paperS aud magazines Mcfarland showed his
# attitude by drinking and being abusive TO her
- She met Albert Deane Richardson, author and
war correspondent, just after the close of the Civil
War in 1866 at the home of Mrs. John +. Cleye
land, sister of Horace Greeley, owner and editor
of the New York Tribune
RICHARDSON. who must have been rather
glamOrous figure AT that time, was 33, a tall
attractive, quetmanncred wdowcr then deep in
the writing Of his second book Beyond the Mis-
sssppi' reporter since he was 49, he had
rlSkcd hiS life as Tribune correspondent IN the
south and had spent 20 months IN Confederate
prisons. While he was in prison his wife 10
whom he vas completely devoted. died, leaving
three young children.
In the fall of 1866. Mrs Mcfarland received
work al $50 a week, in Edwin Booths Shakespcdr-
can company at the Winter Garden.
In January. 1867 the McFarands were living
AT y Amity St. which happened to be almost
directly across the way from Richardson's odg-
ings. few weeks later, Richardson rented
large front room at No. u for use as a workroom.
Meanwhile. Mcfarland had been badgering his
wife 10 obtain for him some sort OF city or federal
job through her influential Tribune friends. She
succeeded via Samuel Sinclair, publisher OF the
Tribune, i'm placing him in the Customs Olilce as
a clerk He started work there Feb. !.
ON the afternoon Of Feb. 19 when Mcfarland
entered the house at SO r. he saw Abby standing
AT the door Of Richardson's workroom. in which
there were three other persons. As soon as she
Joined him in their adjacent apartment, McFar
land began 10 work himself into jealous tantrum
and his accusations grew so loud that Richardson
and his assistants could not help but hear.
Finally. doubt 10 her great relief. she left
for the theatre. However, when she returned she
found hifr drunk and more abusive than before
Mcfarland called her foul names in the presence
of their = yearoId son, Percy whose older brother
Danny "aS visiting lis maternal grandparents
II went on for hours and at last Abby McT7r
Z MHd came 20 decision She stated, calmly bGi
segrruty- rrar Snc could endure this 10 longer, that
she iHtCnicd 10 leave him. Mcfarland Immediately
groScrd lt her feet and begged FOR forgiveness
Sever, hours later, as soon as he had left for
his oit'r downtown Abby went with her child 20
the Sinclair Aomc on Washington Place.
Richardson who al the Sinclair home
when she arrived and for the first time confessed
what Size had been going through, helped her
make arIau ycmCnt~ 10 send PEREZ 10 her parents
home II, also got in touch with friends Of hers
then visiting m Washington, and teleRraphcd her
father % come 10 New York
EARLY in March Abby prepared TO 20 10 her
father home She told Richardson that she
could never repay him for what he had done She
said later that she could not say this without
strong emotion" Richardson then said Before
I 60. there Is something want TO say. wish you
II remember that any responsibility you choose
70 give IN any possible future shall be very
glad 10 take Two days later he told her that he
wanted 20 marry her rs soon as she was free.
on the evening of March - Richardson met
her as she left the NaVcrly Thcatrt. They had
proceeded only a Httlc way when Mcfarland came
up behind them and fired three shots of which
struck Richardson IN the thigh. Richardson vas
able 10 grapple with his adversary until police
officers arrived Mcfarland was taken TO police
station bat was released the next day when
Richardson meanwhile removed 20 the Sinclair
residence refused 10 fu.kc COMPLAINT.
Abby nursed Richardson until hn was fairly III
again. thcn went to hst parents home IN IiIngh nl
She wrote "a letter 80 Richardson releasing h.n
from ans allegiance or fancicd allegiance He
replied rc1~Surngly that he had been in rougbcr
wave. before and ridden them safely and con-
cludcd with these words
Il think / sec d happy fu'urr. sunny days
loves oi children loves of home, good 10 others.
! know ! ~cc loyalty nothing can shake trust
that Is absolute love that is utter and vital"
a Abby remained with her family until the spring
~ IStS then went TO Indianapolis, where she filed
suit for divorce She STAYED there Is months, n
lonely exile during which she never Richard
4 OF