Year: 1870

The deepening interest in Che Mcfarland trial
was made manifest yesterday mornng by the in
creased number OF people who sought admission TO
the Court OF General Sessions The character OF the
weather would certainly have deferred many folks
from giving the same eager attention to Ordi.
nary legal cases; but the singular nature
OF this Mcfarland. Richardson business wiled
away people from their customary avocations
ana nlled the court room with those who under
less exciting circumstances would nave been quietly
attending TO their legitimate business. From
what might be readily observed by anybody who
cared To give the most rlhing attention to the SUBJ
ect this trial has stirred the most profound depths
of popular feeling The case OF sickies is dwarfed
into inslgnicance beside II, and this trial OF McFar
land has certainty the privilege OF claiming TO be
the foremost domestic tragedy IN real life which the
century has produce1.


INTEREST IN THE TRIAL.


To realize the force of this assertion it is only
necessary 10 Ginge IN the motley crowd tnat day by
day seeks admission to the court roon But II IL be
necessary discover other proofs in support of the
statement 1t readily be found In the general dis
cussion OF the case by every hearthstone and In
every family circle OF the city. The annals of
romance fail to furlish anything OF parallel char.
acter; Dut perhaps the greatest force, the most
formidable point OF the case, lies in the argument





Of some OF the aolest and most progressive minds
OF America.


The crowds on The stairways and III the corridors
leading TO the Court OF General Sessions COM
posed almost wholly OF well dressed, Intelligent
looking people The trial is not OF that complexion
which interests solely the mere vulgar mind. 1t has
features and ramiications OF high order OF inter-
est, and despite the large share OF publicity
corded it by the daily Journals would still command
widc share of popular attention.


TRANSFER OF THE SCENE OF TRIAL.


Owing TO the necessity OF disposing Of large
number of cases winch have fallen into arrears on
the calendar of the General Sessions Recorder
Hackett announced Immediately after The opening OF
the court that transfer OF the hearing OF the trial
would take place to the Court OF Oyer and Terminer,
In the New Court House building.


rush from the brown stone to the marble struc-
tire at took place. and very soon tho "tao area
beneutn sno aome or New Court House and up
along the capacious steps to the entrance OF Oyer
and Termner was well filed as the vesti-
buIe of popular theatre on a popular
benefit night great many uns0phistlcated
people stayed behind IN the brown building, per.
suaded that there there alone the trial would be
held. At the new scene of trial the ushers showed
perhaps less liberal disposition to admit the public
than at the Old place. They posted themselves
quickly at the entrances and ike sleves permitted
the fine grain pass through and the course to re-
main outside.


COMPOSITION OF THE AUDIENCE.


The audience was orderly and well dressed 1t
filled The entire space OF the court room. Outside
the rating which separates the spectators from
the press, were counsel, jury and few score
privileged persons. Three rows OF seats to The
left were occupied by ladies' two of whom were di.
recty concerned in the trial; the rest present
spectators, who seemed to feel that certain doc.
trnes in which they were more or less interested
were on trial with the prisoner Mcfarland TO tell
the truth, Of the fair observers looked particu-
larry pewtching. Their exact counterparts can be
met with any night at Tree love ultra woman's
rights meeting. Mrs. Norton sat at one OF the re-
pOrter's tables, and nowse reticent In declar-
ing her admiration for the course whicn Mrs McFar.
land and Albert D. Richardson pursued.


STYLE OF THE WITNESSES


Mrs. Mary Oliver, who the first witness
examined yesterday, is a lady OF middle age, OF
troubled, anxious looks, and one with whom the
course OF existence has apparently been wayward
aud unhappy She was affected to tears while gty-
Ing her testimony, and so was Mcfarland, who sat
in his usual place. facing the jury with his little son
Percy by his side. All the witnesses examined yes
terday were slngularly free from embarrassment
IN delivering their testimony Mr.. Billings and
Mr. Nones, both OF whom gave tolerably strong tes-
tmony to the purpose of proving the alteration OF
mind under which Mcfarland was laborlng spoke
With clearness that gave general satisfaction at
least to the audience. Ex-Oncer O'Brlen was an ex-
cellent witness as far as plain and lucid evidence
was desired. Young Taylor, though but seventeen
showed no symptoms OF embarrassment whatever
before the large audience which eagerly watched
his delivery and listened to his testimony.


DISAPPOINTED EXPECTATIONS.


There was nothing of really etrrino m nop,ant
in the evidence which was yesterday produced in
court. A good many were expecting that Mrs.
Calhoun and others belo nging to school of social
ethics which has had jealous supporter in the
journal 10 which Albert ID. Richardson belonged
would be produced by the defence; but 1t was evi-
dent at the start that the defence intended to con.
fine itself scrupulousIy to the task OF making 1t ap.
pear that Mcfarland abored under an alteration OF
reason when be shot Richardson.


TO this line OF defence all the evidence was d.
rected and few after reading what was stated under
oath by those who were on familiar terms with Mo
Farand will be apt to conclude that the assasstna-
tion was sane precOnception


RICHARDSON'S BROTHER PRESENT.


The brother OF Richardson was in court np 10 the
time OF taking recess. He leaned forward on the
handle Of his umbrella and listened with rant at.
tcntfon to the testimony offered by the defence He
showed no trace Of feeling one way the other but
sat throughout the proceedings quiet, earnest and
collected observer


THE MOTIVE PUBLIC CURIOSITY
The cloud OF newspaper men who occupied the
central area OF the court room was proof sufficient
Of what an absorbing subject this proves to the
entire community. The interest shown by the out
side spectators Is rot so much IN behalf OF the
pris0ner-fOr few or none believe he Will be con.
vciedas IN the anticipation that the progress OF the
case will throw broad light upon certain social dog
held by class OF people who cannot be ignored
wanting in influence IN the Intellectual circles of
American society.


EXirIyaTION OF WITNESSES FOR THE