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2 RICHESON GOES BRAVELY TO CHAIR FOR SLAYING PRETTY CHOIR GIRL ‘I AmWilling to Live or Die—' Last Words to Minister as Current Is TurnedOn Q THE TWO GIRLS WHO FIGURED PREDOMINANTLY IN THE RICHESON TRAGEDY OF LOVE, POISON AND DEATH, AND SCENES CONNECTED WITH THE STRANGE CASE J ■ • 1.- _ . .1 I The Linnell cottage at Hyannis, and below the church. wh°re Richeson first met and admired Miss Linnell. — ==zx z^= —- > — X- IE- ■' ; / / Ow at xgu W 101 Hoi -She*- - W .'rmSf '"” * i w X\ w : x *wzct) naasr i Spends Last Day Relorf Exe cution Reading Bible and Praying. Continued From Page One illuminating hit fare Xow, I am read’- Richefon than started walking *O - ard the death chamber Ahead of him walked Chaplain Stebbins reading se lections from the Scriptures. Richeson was still erect when he passed over the threshold and entered the death chamber. He still looked i ahead with unflinching gaze There was no sign of trembling. He walked firmly His face was without a trace of a smile, but shone with an apparent feeling of peace Only One Shock Necessary to Kill Only one shock was necessary tn kill Richeson Nineteen hundred volts, eight amperes, was administerd for one minute and eight seconds. Three doc tors examined Richeson and declared him legally dead at 12 17 o'clock. Wesley Bryant, a Charlestown ur> dertaker, removed the body from th® death house at 1 45 a. m. The remains were placed in a w icker coflin, carried through an alleyway and out of the rear gate on the Rutherford avenue side. Four policemen stood guard at the gate. It was driven in a covered wagon to the North Grove street morgue for the autopsy preceding delivery to Riche son's brother Douglass Georgian Reporter Describes Execution By J. GOOLTZ Gsoraian Representative. Who Wit nessed Execution of Richeson. BORTON. MASS., May 21.- Ciarem e V. T Richeson ent®red th® death cham ber at 12.0? o'clock this morning, while the echoes of a psalm, in the singing of which he had joined, were dying. 1 He was supported on either side by the Rev. Dr. Herbert S. Johnson and Rev. Herbert W Stebbins He walked slowly, with eyes downcast. The thirteen fatal steps to the chair took up but as many seconds But to the legal witnesses who were summoned by law it seemed as many hours He was placed in the chair that had been thoroughly tested before hie ar rival While two guards pinioned his arms and body securely, another guard raised the trouser leg of the left side and fastened the electrode to his left leg between the ankle and the knee. A fourth guard fitted the mesh cap i ontaining tn electrode to Richeson * head When this was placed to the satisfac tion of the guard, a rubber band about four inches in width’, w hich covered the eye‘ _ and _' hir. leaving the nose and mouth expos'd, was fastened about his face. Word ' Die signal For Fa,tai Current Warden Bridges was watching In tently feu the opportune moment. When Rieheson had responded to a passage from th® Bible read by Dr Johnson, his spiritual adviser and had just ut tered the word die,'' Warden Bridges raised the black • an® that lie carried in his right hand, and the cb ’rlcian. se creted behind a s. reen with i-yes fas tened upon th® wardens hands, threw a switch With th® word ii-' upim his lips Richeson paid the penalty with his ?s th® shock of electricity struck Richeson his left hand, with index fin ger extended, turned « n vlx and point ed to th® heavens W ithin on® minute and 44 seconds of the time that Ry t®. son entered the death ’amber he was d®ad Hurriedly the three attending ph.'s clans began their ex.a mirtu Tims IJ.- h with his stethoscope listen, ,! for ;1 heartbeat Again and again tln-x ap plied the instruments to Rj. y. . s> bared chest They spent several •nin utes at their task Then they ga:h< in a corner of the death chamber, uml. after a momentary consultation. |t. nounced him officially dead Richeson led the ringing . gain thi? morning. h® did >®sterd.ry morning I* ■* a« a* his ow» o-igg-stinn that h® wt’h th.® two minlst®rs sang Saf* in th® Arm.- of Jesus a number of times he sang i' while the legal witn® ®®s '... ■ . i-.. \ ’ AT z', WAh •• ■ . .'X/iy ! . > // \Vh i' i Bk\\ \ \A * /cvi i 11 \xzf I Vxl ‘ 1 '—’skz —SX3 /xir \\\ \ z r <>* '" t v H \\\ \ •dniiii” ''■•* •** ' I r 'X'X, i ' I XV_~V yy < /il T- di t BKZb nBB ‘^ > ' \vV/ Htelfe r■ ■ ilB -Mr''' mj| HObM jjjiiSSgßH j «w»IW' x were assembled in the death chamber awaiting his appearance. At last the word was given him by one of the death guards. In the gentlest tone, he said "Come. Mr. Richeson. the time has ar rived. Are you ready non ?" Riche son answered. "I am ready." Without assistance, he emerged from his death cell and stepped Into the cor ridor. On each side of the cell door were waiting the ministers who were with him to the end. Dr. Johnson held open a Bible at a place that marked the favorite pas sages in the Scriptures chosen by Rleheson for the occasion Dr John son read the passages slowly, and ' Richeson, with mind intent upon the responses he was to make, was led to the death chair? Dr. Johnson asked: "Would you like to confess to Christ before these witnesses a? your Sa vior Richeson answered in a firm voice that could be heard in every part of the death chamber: I do confess to Christ »s my Savior.” Again Dr Johnson asked Have you the peace of God In your heart at this hour?" Confesses Christ Before Witnesses. 1 Richeson answered I have the peace of God in my heart, and I pray for all." Dr Johnson continued the reading thus while Richeson was being strapped | into the chair. give vou the strength you tfi>ed in this hour"" Richeson responded, in a voice clear er than that in which the question had been put "Yes. Christ gives me strength I need." Now the ■ ap was being fastened tn his head, the electrod' had already been applied to the leg Richeson ap , peared to pay no attention to the ac tions of th- guards He saw- none, he ! heard only the Scriptures. Dr. Johnson continued and asked Do you here repent of your sin?" "I do, came the answer loud and i clear Do you forgive everybody ?" The next passage was "Does t'hriet ‘ "I do." Now the guards were fastening the ■ rubber bands across the face of the I condemned nan. The last question I tame now . Ve you wil.mg to live nr to die for ■ Jesus?" Riches>on s last reply followed "1 am willing to live or d-i-e.” j As he spoke the last word the signal was giV’n by Warden Bridges. There ,■ was t flash of clear light as the switch was thrown into place by the elec trician. A moan came from between R '■■on'- lip”, his body surged for- • • mini it held the taut straps that n.-'uitd btm to the chair. The Angers -.t« I. ft hand pointed aloft. I' - -aid by th-’ ofTh :als a' the pr son ■ ’ ttm . sed the execution that Rich e. - ’to >r.. t” greatest bravery of an. man who bar suffered death by • xeorr t at the state pt is n \ THE ATT,\YT' GEOEGIAX TUESDAY. >TAY 21, 1912. Avis Linnell. the Hyannis girl of nineteen, who took poison Richeson gave her without question. Richeson hanged in ofiigy in Hyannis. The arrow* points to a sign w*hich reads; GI7ILTY: . READ LUKE XVII., 2. This verse reads: “It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck and he oast into the sea than that he should offend one of these little ones.” SCRIPTURE SELECTIONS RICHESON I CHOSE FOR THE HOUR OF DEATH Richeson chose for the hour death excerpts from chapter fourteenth of the gospel of St .John, and these, at his request, were read to him.by Chaplain Stebbins as the straps of the electric chair were being applied to the eondemneH man. Some of these excerpts follow: 1. Let not your heart be troubled: Ye believe in God, believe also in me 2. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. Igo to prepare a place for you. * * * 4. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. * * * 19. Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because 1 live ye shall live also. * * * 27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid The witnesses were more greatly moved than Richeson He did not show at any time that he was in fear. He did not falter in his march to the chair He did not show a sign of weakness or breakdown a ho was seated. His voice never lower'd in the responses that h» made to his spiritual adviser For three hours before the final call came Richeson prepared himself for the end He dressed himself from head to foot The same clothing that he wore on the day that he appeared, before Judge Sanderson for sentence was brought to him some hours before midnight It consisted of a b!a< k suit, light shirt, turndown collar, black tie, with socks and button shoes of the same color. He spent nearly an hour dressing. First Richeson brushed bis tair care- ■ fully and arranged it to hie own satis- ) faction, while a guard held a mirror be- I fore his face. Then he began to dress. | At the last moment he discovered that , his suspenders were missing. Quickly he despatched a guard for a , pair of suspenders He did not r.-aliz that all the shops were closed. War den Bridges did not want to disap point Richeson in his last simple de- I mand, he furnished the condemned man with t paw of his own wb.it dress suspenders. Th- »tr-!»r. e.ttd when the errand was stated ’1 hare worn them once or twice, but Miss \ iolet Edmands, heiress, to gain whose I j hand Richeson decided to kill his fiancee. I guess that Richeson -won’t mind. Take them to him," and he handed the pair tn the guard. Quickly they were taken to Rii he son. He thanked the guard and said: "My. but you are obliging here." While Richeson was preparing him self physically and spiritually, the wit nesses Were slowly gathering in the warden's apartments. where they awaited the cal! to proceed to the death chamber. First came the newspaper men. They wer® quickly followed by- the physi cian.-. and the other legal witnesses. At last the hour of midnight was heard pealing forth from the bell of a nearby church. Again the watches were dragged out and the time compared. It was mid -night. Warden Bridges informed the I witnesses that lie would dispense with I the formality of reading the death war- I - ant. He said: Avoided Gaze of Curious Outsiders. ‘■Gentlemen, you are summoned here tonight to witness the execution of 1 lai-cnee V. T. Richeson. We will now : make rur start Please follow me as quietly as possible as we are going down through the inside on this occa sion. | M other executions tt has been the! eu.-tom of th- warden to lead Hie way I along the narrow stone walk through the courtyard, within sight of the hun dreds who always gather about the gates. The w arden feared some outburst on the part of the people outside, and chose the other route as a safeguard. In the dark they made their way along, as the venerable warden led the way. They- trudged through the mud and rain, heading for the beacon lights made by th- open door of the execu tion chamber. A- they entered the highly lighted rooms, four guards in uniform were w aiting for them. A half dozen scats were arranged in a row for those who wished to be seat-d One or tw oof the party start ed to sit down, but quickly arose to their fee: again and awaited the en- I trance of Richeson. T-he witnesses were shifting their weight from one foot to the other in th-i: impatience. Warden Bridges gave word to th guards to bring Richeson in at five minutes after midnight. A little more than three minutes later. Richeson made’his appearance His face ,ia.; ghastly pal-. Every ye in. the room was fixed on him. His neat rOR BRAIN FAG Take Horsford's Acid Phosphate J Recommended for relief -f tired nerves, i brain tag and headache f-ii -wing mental I I strain or overwork The Edmands home in Brookline, where Richeson dined, ; knowing he had killed Avis Linnell. I Iw*' f .At / Wtfife? . ~— k v w jilvr Thomas A' Richeson, devoted father of the slai er. appearance cam® as a surprise, as every other man who had been exe cuted had been dressed simply in trousers, shirt .and slipper?. Richeson was dressed as if he were on his way to some festivity As the door opened to admit him. William A. Morse. Rich c-son's lawyer, was seen standing in the corridor b® fore Richeson's i ell At Richesori's request he had re mained with his client until the death march began Attorney Mors® remained in th» cor ridor until Richeson nearly had fin ished making his responses, and, no longer able to restrain himself, step ped info the death chamber. He was not a legal witness, but none of the guards had the heart to ask him to leave. With the flash at the signa! from the warden's cane. Lawyer Morse, burst into tears and threw his arm about Di. Johnson. There was hardly a dry eye in the room. The warden shook, the ®lej?uty bowed his head. and : only the hisfe of the current that was burning up Richeson's life could be heard. " Mother of Slain Girl Forgives HYANNIS, MASS., May 21.—Be cause of her firm belief that Clarence Richeson went to.his death not a sane man. Mrs. Edgar Linnell. mother of the poisoned Avis Linnell, today declarer! that there is nothing but forgiveness in Iter heart for the former minister. She said: "Yes. 1 forgive Mr. Richeson for this dreadful thing It is my firm belief that he went to the electric chair an insane man and that he lias been men tally irresponsible for some time past. “Up to a short time ago I could not believe that he was guilty, but 1 am afraid that fact has been too strongly established. Hi< lister has been in this Pous® often and I know her very well; w ell cnottgh to love her and I feel'sin-, cerel.v sorry tor her and tlie remainder of the unfortunate family. More than tlm n 1 i i n not say PORCH FURNITURE We are .honing the most fWf complete line of Porch and Sum- !sss£ | mer Furniture in the city. i If you are looking for Fibre 'iflfiH Kush. Kustic Hickorv. Mission l ihSHm * or the Brumby Kockers. vour >tejassga.naßSlSi wants mat he quieklv filled 1 .Mid. best Hi <i||, wp || save you } S a uioiu*y. L 5 ■ GOLDSMITH = ACTON • WITHERSPOON CO. f J Peat htree Lifetime Furniture hi N. Broad 9 • • Some of the Victims • • Os Richeson’s Spell • e— ' • ® Many young women figured, in • • the strange career of Rev -Clar- • • enee Richeson. Among them are: • •»• » * • Patsy Felts, to whom he was • • betrothed in Liberty. Mo.,' in 1905. • e ancl who lent him money to com- * e plete his theological education. • a•• • e • Alice Howe, reported engaged to ® 9 him in Georgetown. Mas;., in Oe- • • tober, 1907. • s•♦ • e • Avis Linnell, who met him tn • • Hyannis. Mass. in the summer of. ® • 19ns. and considered, herself his • e fiancee until he poisoned her. ® ••• * • • Ethel Craig, to whom Richeson ® e paid much attention in Boston in • • 1911. * •». ♦ a • Violet Edmands, the Brookline • • heiress, whom he had meant to • ® wed. • • • • • . e • Mrs. Louie E. Brittain, who as- • • sisted him in Mormon missionary • • yy ork. • • * • . * . • • The young clergyman also was • ’ reported engaged at one time to ® • three girls in Kansas City in 1904 » • and to a young woman in Haver-. ® • hill. Mass., in 19 n 9. • • ..... a ••••••••••••••••••«••«'••• Miss Edmands’Sister Weds a Minister OTTAWA. KANS., May 21. Word has just been received here of the marriage in Providence. R. 1., On last Saturday, of Miss Rose Edmands and George Holt, a Baptist preacher at Providence. Miss Edmands is a sis ter of Violet Edmands, fiancee of C. V. T. Richeson Holt’s father lives here. Peculiar to Itself Hood s Sarsaoarilla has no Equal as a Blood Medicine. "I thing there is no other blood medi cine equal to Hood's Sarsaparilla. I have a family of five little ones, and have used it every .spring for twelve y ears. There is something about. Hood’s Sarsaparilla which other medicines lack. My husband was bothered w'ith boil?. He was so bad he could scarcely get around. He took Hood’s Sarsa parilla. and it cured him." Mrs. Lillian Dixson. Pike, Ohio. Get it today. In usual Liquid form or ■'ho. Mated tablets called Sarsitabs.