Year: 1870




what He Thought of Mcfarland, the "sIad-
nan''-A statement by Him Made Public for
the First Time.


The New York Tribune OF this morning in addi-
ton to the lengthy statement Of Mrs. Mcfarland
Richardson, the main portions OF which are given
elsewhere publishes also letter written by Albert
d. Richardson to Junius Henri Browne in Decem-
Der, 1867, bat which, according to AFFIDAVIT by Mr..
Browne was not opened by him until after Richard
sons DEATH by instructions OF the latter Its con.
tents are now for the first time made public. The
most important portions OF this document read as
follews:-


FoRDHaM N. Y. Sunday Night Dec. l. 1867 NV
Dear Junius :-On the last nine pages OF nv HHouse-
hold Expense Book in nay desk here, you will md
a clear statement OF my business affairs.


Should the madman who has once attempted nv
life-aRd who just now shows some symptom, OF
renewing his attempt in killing me, as he
has threatened so vehemently to scores OF people.
will you please set forth clearly few OF the facts
for the sake Of the lady they involve you know how
been) and OF my own children, whom wish to have
know all about Them that they may see, in maturer
left them nothing to blush for. Some OF these car
dinal facts are:-


his blood, his grandfather (maternaD having died
maniac, and one of his brothers having been for
years notorious for his absolute madness when
under the influence of liquor, and having so abused
his wife at such times that she will carry the scars
to her dying day. In his liquor fits his family have
been obliged to keep hum shut up like any other
madmnn.


Second. That before Daniel Mcfarland had been
married to his wife two years, he had, in a lit OF
passion struck her 80 violently in the face that she
carried the marks for days, and that again and
again, in his mad fits, he had terrified her with
threats OF violence to himself and her by the display
OF revolvers, knives, etc. etc.


Third. That from pride and delicacy she had
shielded him as far as possible had kept his inrml-
ties secret in the vain hope that he might REFORM had
her children and Of him; that finally she bad ex-
planned fully to two OF her friends, about the 1st of
January last, the terrible life that killing her,
md Ead hair hat fhn iatta -
them in which she did this is still in existence to be
seen by any one who has right to inqdire into the
Of truth and candor and moderation that nobody
with any knowledge Of character can fail to be i'm
pressed with its judicial exactness.


Fourth That all this tcds before had anything but
the THOst |7r al acquaintance toith her.


Fifth That finally, late IN February last, in one OF
his frenzied fits, while chanced to be rooming in
the same house with them, heard enough of his
violence to give me the gravest apprehenslons Of
Sixth That she then separated from him sent for her
father and in his presence and that OF other friends
she had undergone; that he would hot hear her 20
into details which he knew so humiliating to him;
that she told him in presence OF these witnesses it
was her innexible determination never to live with
him again that in the same presence he acquiesced
sented for the present that the custody Of the chill
dren should be with her father.


her story only few weeks before they did separate
he had himself proposed that they should separate
gentleman whom Both knew CNfr. c. and she Kept
him from going because he was in liquor.


Eighth: That she now has in her possession let
ter of his written to her six years before knew
either party, in which, over his own signature and
in his own hand, he fully admits his violence her.
and corroborates In general every word of her own
statements about H.


Il have been thus minute, because he has asserted
SO frequently that there had been no trouble be-
tween them, save the usual tns, as he phrases it,
between husband and wife; and that, all asser-
conspiracy between her. two or three OF her lady
friends, and myself, to take her from him and de-
stroy his domestic peace y"


Ninth. 4 hat after thus nnal separation last Febru-
ary, after she had applied to her lawyer, Mr. Runkle
to take the necessary steps for divorce, she was
SO situated that L was thrown much with her.
that knew her character and worth thoroughly
that my sympathies for her suffering and helpless
nessn facing the world with two children toisuppoIt
which had existed all the while, developed into q
warmer feeling-that loved her-that it became an
understood thing between us that when she was
legally free she should become my wife. Before the
separation no such thought had ever entered my
which the most loyal wife might not speak to any
gentleman whom she knew and respected.


Tenth That some weeks after the separation he
intercepted letter from me to her, which showed
him that when she should be legally free hoped to
marry her-a letter couched in the terms usually
employed by a man towards the lady who is to be


NIr Richardson at this point goes into the details
OF the first shooting at him by Mcfarland, and the
trouble about the custody Of the lstters children
with which the public is already familiar. The let


So the matter stands. What new thing has set
him again on the war-path know not You will re-
member that on the nrst OCCASION apprehending
violence from him decided not to arm myself be-
cause did not want the blood OF any man, and par
ticulsrly OF this most wretched man, on my hands
i have the same feeling still-in degree 1t would
be too horrible for the poor children who hers
and bear his name-too horrible for her-too horrible
for my children. So, II he attacks me again shall
mean TO run very great risk rather than do deadly
harm to him. Indeed, hardly know which would
be the worst under any crcumstances-to kill him
or have him kill me. could have taken his life be-
lore with his own weapon with the most perfect
ase, but have always been glad that did not.


hat thau hNf kAH Haa nnIv EnO Won
and have faced death and seen the sweet sleep,
the precious, perfect rest it brings too often to hold
it in any special terror 1t is harder to feel that
leaves behind those who lean upon and love him;
but then the Divine Benignity for all its help
less little children.


MY dear friend so loyal, SO steadfast so patient
the best blessings OF life be yours! II go before,
know there is no need OF commencing TO your ten
love has blessed me, and whom unwittingly have
brought TO bitter grief instead OF helping. as had
mop sSe ee and bess be1b NV
too-twice orphaned in their tender years-aready
know you as their friend, and / knew what friend
ship means gtth you Good by till we meet again.


.1IH l.... A. ID. r.
Richardson's Fortune-A statement by his


Brother and Administrator.


been made about my late brother Albert D. Richard
sons estate, that deem 1t necessary under the cir
cumstances TO say that his entire estate is not worth
SS6 600, and that his widow, Mrs. Abby S. Richard,
son, has refused any part OF the properly except
dren The following is a copy OF the memoranda
which have been alluded to by the counsel for the
defense the will OF my late brother the died intes-


CHARLES A. RICHARDSON Administrator.


A. ID. Richardses's Memoranda ETA Will.


70 Mr. Nicholson on the night after he was shOt
]. eve ID. Nicholson $500


2 MIR. IAnson will understand about my house.
have paid him sl60 interest within the last few