Jasper County Democrat, Volume 4, Number 43, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 February 1902 — WIDOW IS SET FREE. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

WIDOW IS SET FREE.

Mrs. Richardson Acquitted of Charge of Killing Her Hueband. At Plattsburg, Mo., Addie B. Richardson was acquitted of the charge of having murdered her husband, Frank B. Richardson, a wealthy merchant, who was slain as he entered his home Christmas eve, 1900. The announcement of the verdict was received with frantic enthusiasm nnd joy, not only by Mrs. Richardson and her own and her husband’s relatives, but by all of the spectators. John D. Richardson, brother of the dead man, seized the widow around the waist and raised her

clear off her chair. HoMing her in his arms, he kissed her again and again, while the crowd cheered. After she was released by her brother-in-law, her venerable father, Adam Lawrence, seized her in his arms, and their tears of joy mingled ns they embraced each other. All of the relatives and the attorneys for the defense gathered around the father and dmightej-, and with tears es joy embraced or congratulated the latter and the little Richardson boys were bugged and kissed by scores of people. Notwithstanding the acquittal of Mrs. Addie B. Richardson, Stewart Fife, accused of complicity in the crime, must stand trial. This is the positive assertion of Prosecuting Attorney Charles F. Booher. “I want a jury to decide whether or not Fife was guilty,” said the prosecutor. Fife, who was nrrosted at North Yakima, 'Wash., is now in jail at Savannah. P- is the son of n wealthy resident <-< St. Joseph. His father bought for him an interest in a stere with Richardson. The latter, however, frequently complained that Fife did not attend properly to business, and he also rebuked his partner for spending too much time with Mrs. Richardson. Mrs. Richardson is distinctly a Southern type, pretty nnd petite. Before sh® was charged with the murder of her husband Mrs. Richardson was vivacious, and was popular in society in Savannah and St. Joseph. Mrs. Richardson is a daughter of Alexander Lawrence of Texas, at one time a Christian minister. Frank W. Richardson became addicted to drink in the latter years of his life, and there was trouble. Mrs. Richardson was seen at ttaies with Stewart Fife, a deck in the store ami a son of her husband’s business partner. Richardson abused her when drinking, and made accusations agnnst her, for which he invariably apologized when sober.

STEWART FIFE.

MRS. RICHARDSON.