The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1911-12-20
MINISTER HELD FOR MURDER
TRIES TO END HIS own LIFE
Rev. Richeson, With Jagged
Piece OF Tin, Inflicts Prob
ably Fatal Wound.


tBy United Press Leased wirs)
BOSTON, Dec. 20---Fsev. c. w. r.
FicheHcn, former pastor Of the
Cambridge Baptist church. who 10
In Jail here charged with the muir
der Of his former sweetheart. Avis
LinneIi, attempted suicide In his
cell at 2:3o this morning by stab
bing himself In the groin with a
piece OF tin. Physicians declare
the wound could not have been In
fiicted by a man OF normal mind.
Blood poisoning is said 10 have re-
suited from the wound. and the ac-
cused minister's condition 10 re-
ported precsrious.
The prison officials and the dis
trict attorney acted in q mysteri-
Gus manner when questioned con-
cerning the alleged attempt at
suicide.
May Not Live for Trial
The county medical examiner
fears that Richeson win not live
20 face trial on the LinneIl muir
der charge.
II was recently reported that
the wealthy Edmunds family OF
Hyannis. a fashionable suburb Of
Boston. had turned against the
minister Richeson was engaged
TO wed Miss Viola Edmunds AZ the
time OF his sensational arrest two
months ago. and the girls family
were staunch in their support of
him at that time.
The changed attltudenof the Ed
munds. coupled with fear OF the
result Of tightening OF the coil OF
evidence about him. Is believed 10
have prompted Richeson's attempt
to end his life.
IL Is not known how Richeson
obtained the jagged piece OF tin
with which his wound was inflict-
ed. He had been a model pris-
oner. This morning the night
guards heard means. and asked
the minister what was the matter.
He said: II have cut myself I
am bleeding TO death"
The surgeons found the prisoner
TO be suffering terribly. Anaes-
thetics were administered. and II
was decided that an operation was
necessary. Doctors Brough, Ames.
Sargent and Lathrop assisted In
performing II.
Hasn't Confessed Yet
The minister was rushed TO the
prison hospital In a critical condi-
tion. II is stated that he has a
slim chance for recovery.
Rieheson has not confessed the
crime OF poisoning Miss Linnell.
but many here believe that his act
was impelied by conscience.
Tried to Suppress News
The prison authorities tried des-
perately TO prevent the news from
becoming known. The story
leaked out when a short-term pris-
oner. who had seen Richeson en-
route to the hospital. sold HIS in
formation to newspaper The
officials confirmed the report of
the attempted suicide only when
the reporters. who flocked to the
hospital in response to the tip"
heard Richeson shrieking MY
God. I'm dying"
insane Frenzyl
The jail officials are of the opin-
ion that Richeson did not attempt
TO commit suicide. but mutiiated
himself In an insane frenzy while
brooding over his relations with
Avis Linneil. At / O'Clock this az
ternoon the attending physician
said the minister will probably re-
cover. II was found that the de-
mented clergyman had wrenched a
piece of tin from the spout OF one
OF the prison cups and ground IL to
a fine edge on the cement floor of
his cell. The wardens declare that
Il must have required several days
to sharpen 1t by this laborious
process.
District Attorney Pelletier an
nounced this afternoon that the
trial of Richeson for the murder
of Avis Linnell will begin January
15. according to schedule
Richeson is accused of giving
poison to Miss Linnell under rep
resentation that IL would be good
for an ailment with which she was
suffering. Shortly after the time
when he was alleged to have placed
the poison in her hands the girl
was found dead In her bath room.
with bottle of cyanide beside her.
Miss Linnell was 10 years old
and had been engaged 10 the min
lister But at the time of her death
Richeson was engaged to Miss
Viola Edmunds, heiress to large
fortune.