The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-10-21
GreWsome Figure of Rev. C. V. I. Richeson Swung From Old Elm Tree in Front of Hyannis Baptist Church, Where He First Met the Dead Girl
Following Prayer Meeting 100 Solemn Villagers Bring Forth Figure, Glad in Ministerial Robes, and It Is Left Hanging All Morning. As Reminder of One of the Most Shocking Crimes in Bay State History.
Special from United Press.)

EtaF (SDeClal rom On1reQ FreSS.D
 Hyannis, Mass, Oct. 21-Until near. iy noon, today, an effigy figure of tht Rev. c. V. T. Richeson. charged with the murder of Avis Linnell swung from the old elm tree in front of the little Baptist church where he firs' met the dead girl. The figure was hung late last night immediately after those who attended the weekly pray CT meeting service left the chapel.
 There was every evidence that the plan to hang Richeson in effigy be- fore the church where he had once been an honored preacher of the gos- pei had been well laid During the services of less than an hour no men, ton of the minister Or the death ot Avis LinneH was made except that in every prayer offered up from the sturdy torn hearts of the honest old fishermen and townspeople who had loved the girl pleas were made to forgive her if aught was to be for given and to give her rest and peace in the unknown world to which she was rushed in so terrible a manner by the ruthless hand of her betrayer.
 As the hundred or more solemn will lagers filed from the building. their faces tear stained but grim, one of them walked quickly to an outbuild- ing and brought forth the effigy, clad in ministerial garb. To the figure were pinned two large placards. One read:
 Guilty. Rev. c. V. T. Richeson see that millstone were hanged about his neck and he were cast into the sea lest he offend one of these little Ones.'"
 The other placard read:
 .sThe vigilance committee
 Many who had not known of the plan stood amazed but with no sign of noise or disturbance as several men and boys placed, about the throat of the figure, one end of the heavy rope which had already been swung from high limb. The figure was drawn IS feet from the ground the lower end of the rope securely tied and the whole party quickly dispers- ed, leaving the sombre, ghastly effigy swinging cannily in the dusk, made more desolate by drizzling rain.
 Several of the more conservative church members at once reported the matter to the deacons committee and a meeting was. called immediately in the church Another crowd had gath cred when the deacons assembled.
 After a half hours discussion. the deacons filed out and the formal an- was made as follows:
 There has been done no wrong that we, the deacons of this church. can see"
 Amen was the response of men and women who had gathered in the chilly rain outside the church to hear the decision.
 All night, the figure swung creaking from the limb which bore the green leaves under which Richeson, in a murderer's cell. accused of staying Avis Linnell, first made love to the then mere slip of a girl, F year old choir singer.
 At II o'clock, however, J. W Wick erson, a travelling salesman, of Bos- ton, who is stopping directly across the street from the church, went out and cut the figure down. He said he could stand it no longer to see the thing swinging, black, against an all ready too, dreary sky that seemed to be weeping with the saddened bereav- ed parents and friends of little Avis, whose love and trust were her death.