Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-10-24
Prompt Action Planned in
Trial Of Rev. Clarence
Richeson on Charge Of
Numbering Student.
ASKED TO RESIGN
CHURCH PASTORATE
While Not Presupposing His
Guilt, Officers Believe
Church Should Not be
Further Embarrassed.

Boston, Mass, Oct. 23.-The evil
dence against the Rev Clarence v. Il
Richeson, the Cambridge Baptist
minister, charged with the murder O
Avis Linnel. the young music student
will be presented before the Suffolk
county grand jury at a special session
on Thursday Of this week. This an
nouncement was made this Afternoon
by District Attorney Pelletier.
Chief Joseph Dugan of the bureau Of
criminal investigation, announced to
day that "in the whole story Of the
case SO far there is not q guess nor q
surmise. 2
The police admitted today that
there were a few details of the case
upon which they needed light, espec-
tally regarding the place of the sup
posed meeting on the fatal Saturday
between Richeson and Miss Linnel.
The authorities have decided to CON-
pare the posion found In the girls
stomach with the cyanide of potassium
kept in stock by William n. Hahn, the
druggist Of Newton Center, who claims
to have sold to Richeson supply
.suficient to kill ten persons. It was
pointed out by medical experts today
that II the chemists should find that
the stomach Of the dead girl contained
70 very much larger quantity OF poiston
than Hahn says he sold Richeson; or
more than the fifteen grains Specified
In the complaint new complication
will arise which might add much to
the hopes OF the defense.
Richeson remains calm and refuses
to make statement as to his sup.
posed connection with the death of his
former sweetheart, Miss Avis Linnell,
who died of poisoning In the Young
Women's Christian association build
ing the night Of October II. The police
today continued their search for evil
4dence to- substantiate their charge
against Mr. Richeson. The authorities
are making especial efforts to locate
the restaurant where Miss Linnell and
the Rev. Mr. Mcheson are said to
have eaten on the day the girl was
found dead.
The stomach Of the girl Is now in
the custody Of Prof. Whitney Of Har-
ward medical school, who is making q
chemical i. analysis. Former Judge
Baker Dunbar and his son Philip r..
Dunbar who have been retained by
Richeson, and who are also attorneys
for Moses Grant Edmands, father OF
Miss Violet Edmands, who was to
have married hcheson on October 81,
have decided to make no statement,
for the present at least. They have
instructed Richeson to say nothing
concerning the case to any one.
Mr.. Edmands also continued un.
communi cative, except to reiterate his
declaration that he believed Richeson
innocent OF the crime for which he has
been arrested.
Have Direct Evidence.
Deputy Superintendent Watts said
definitely today that he had informa-
ton OF direct character that Mr..
Richeson dined with Miss Linnell the
afternoon Of the day on which the
girl took the fatal dose. This informa-
ton. he said, came from a young wom-
m who is not a member Of the Young
Women's Christian association house
hold. She met Miss Linnell on the
street late Saturday afternoon.
Miss Linnell told me- said Deputy
Watts informant, "that she had just
dined with Richeson and that she was
going home, as she was suffering from
. headache"
The cafe in which the couple had
dined is also known to the police, and
the employees there are said to have
verified the statement Of the young
woman as to visits made by the Cam
bridge pastor and the conservatory of
music pupil.
The morning worship at the Imman-
uel Baptist church, Cambridge, yester-
day was without reference Of any kind
to the plight of the congregations
pastor, Rev. G. v. T. Richeson. 1t had
been reported that Mr.. Rcheson would
resign his pastorate yesterday, but
40 letter from his was forthcoming.
DR.. George Cross, who occupied the
pulpit, carried his hearers along lines
Of thought entirely removed from any
reference to Mr.. Richeson's case.
It was the expressed opinion OF
Thomas M. Rummey, chairman Of the
finance committee, yesterday that Mr..
Richeson should resign and the church
be relieved Of notoriety.
1--WE do not presuppose that Mr..
Richeson is guilty. said Mr.. Rummey.
"But innocent or guilty, his resigna-
ton should be forthcoming, in my
opinion, AZ his continued connection
with the church only embarrasses him
and the cong S.-tion."