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Crime and Punishment
19th Century Extracts
A
The Richardson-McFarland Tragedy – Daniel McFarland
The following two extracts are taken from extracts relating to the Richardson – McFarland trial. The extract is by Daniel McFarland.
On November 25, 1869 Daniel McFarland entered the offices of a newspaper and shot Albert D. Richardson. McFarland had separated from his wife, Abby Sage, and suspected that she was now seeing Richardson. Richardson died from his wounds a week later. Abby Sage had got her divorce from McFarland a little while earlier and she decided to marry Richardson on his death bed.
Now we approach the bridal service, which was administered by the Rev. Henry Ward Beecher, and which we give in full as it occurred :-
- Mr Beecher (to Mr. Richardson) – Do you take the woman whom you have by your side now, in this hour, standing near the heavenly land, and renew to her the pledges of your love? Do you give your heart to her, and your name? Is she, before God and before these witnesses, your beloved, your honoured and your lawful wife?
Mr. Richardson (in an audible and clear voice) – Yes.
Mr Beecher (turning to Miss Sage or Mrs. McFarland,) – And do you accept him as your head in the Lord? And are you now to him a wife...
