Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1911-10-21
Was Once EN- iACED TO HER
HE PURCHASES CYANIDE OF 20.
TASSIUM FOR A DOG" AND
/ RE-ENGAGES.
Officers watch ALL NIGHT.
Avis Linnctt, Fl, Found Dead in Bath
R0Om--Bclicved Drug Would Help
, Embarrassing Physical Condition.

BOSTON, oct. 2O-A narrow cell
tonight holds the Rev, Clarence Vir-
gil Thompson Richeson, the young
pastor of the Emmanuel Baptist
church, Cambridge, who was arrest
ed today for the alleged murder of
pretty Avis Linnell to whom he had
been engaged
His commitment to jail this af-
ternoon without bail on a charge OF
first degree murder marked a tempo
rary end to a chain Of circumstances
which the police and detectives had
fought assidously since the death of
Miss Linnell by poisoning.
Fiance Dead in Bath Room.
Miss Linnell who was 2l-years
old, and student at the conservatory
of music, was found dead in the
bath room of the Young WomenS
Christian home here.
AT first the police believed she had
committed suicide, but later develop
ments indicated that she had uh-
knowingly taken cynnaide of potas-
SUM sent her by some other person.
in the belief that it would remedy her
embarrassing physical condition. FOR
several days the police made little
progress, but information received
early today that Mr.. Richeson had
purchased cynnaide Of potassium at
drug store in Newton led the officials
to decide upon his arrest
Officers Watch All Night.
A dozen officers. headed by Deputy
Superintendent Watts, were forced TO
maintain an eight-hour vigil outside
the fashionable home in Brookline of
Moss Grant Edmands, where the cler-
gyman had been staying during the
past week, before the minister was
taken into custody. Repeated knocks
at the door and ringing Of the door
bell. and shouts failed to bring any
response from those within the house.
and the police without warrant were
unwilling to make a forcible ent-
rance.
The deputy sheriff and his assist
ants. with a crowd of newspaper men,
remained outside eight hours before
they were admitted.
Preacher Takes 1t Coolly.
When faced by william Hahn, the
Newton druggist who declared Rlch-
ardson had purchased cynnaide OF po-
tassium from him week ago, the
minister apparently was unperturped.
As Hahn was shown into the room at
police stauon, Richeson stepped
forward and shook his hand. 1t was
noticeable that the druggist was more
moved than the accused man. racing
the clergyman, Hahn, VINO mas known
Mr. Richeson for several years, told
that Richeson walked into his store
Tuosdav evening, October 10th. and
said:
Wished II for Dog"
1--WE got a dog at home that Is
creating a disturbance. she Will pe
nuisance unless l can kill her soon
Mr. Hahn said he responded 10
Richeson:
81 never knew you had dog and
that Mr.. Richeson replied that ne
kent II in his room. Inquiry by the
police where Mr.. Richeson roomeu
developed the presence only OF maze
dog owned by the landlord, who SAID
Richeson had never owned a dog
during the eight months he had
lodged there.
Something That Worked Quick
Hahn said further that he suggest
cd chloroform to Mr.. Richeson, but
the minister wanted something that
will work quick" Cynnaide of po-
tassium was mentioned as acting in
stantlv. and the druggist said he gave
Richeson enough to kill three dogs.
He Asked for More.
The minister asked for more, and
the prescription finally amounted to
enough to poison ten men. AS Mr..
Richeson turned to go. Hahn says
the clergyman reminded him of his
coming wedding to Miss Edmands,
and said:
"you Can Keep Secret
Don't forget to come adding III
must seem mysterious to you about
my buying this. but you can keep
secret"
This story brought to Chief 1nspec-
ter Dugan of the Boston police by
uahu's attorney led to RfchesoBs
arrest.
He Looks Disturbed.
In an official statement regarding
Richesons arrest. Superintendent
Watts said he found the minister in
bed and awake. but looking disturbed.
He trembled as he dressed after he
had been told he would have to go
to police headquarters. and be charg-
ad with the murder of Miss Linnett.
He was allowed to talk privately 18th