Norwich bulletin., 1911-10-21
Clergyman Told Newton Druggist That He
 Wanted it to Kill Dog
UNDER ARREST ON MURDER CHARGE
Hearing Set For October 31 the Date of His Intended Marriage Miss Edmands-Wedding Invitations Recalled-Mother of Miss Linnell Says Her Daught- CT Was Engaged -Rcheson Expelled From College

6OSIOns OLls [t-A HGTTOW SlOue- walled cell in Charles street jail holds the Rev. Clarence Virgil Thompson Richeson. the young pastor of the Im- manuel Baptist church, Cambridge, who was arrested today for the mur- der of pretty Avis Linnell of Hyannis Mass, to whom he had been engaged. His commitment to the jail this after noon following his appearance in the municipal court where he was held without bail on a charge of first degree murder, marked a temporary end to a chain of circumstances which the police detectives have followed as- .slduously since the death of Miss Lin- nea last Saturday by cyanide of potas- siurn poisoning.
 First Thought A Case Of Suicide.
 Miss Linnell, who was 19 years old and a student at the Conservatory of Music. was found dead in tn bathroom of the Young Christian as- sociation home, Warrenton street, this city. At first the police believed that she had committed suicide by poison, but later developments indicated that she had unknowingly taken cyanide or potassium sent to her by some other person, and that she used it in the belief that it would remedy a cer- tain embarrassing physical condition.
 Pastor Bought Fatal Drug.
 For several days. the police inquiries
 
 formation received early today that 4r. Richeson had purchased a large quantity of this poison at a drug store in Newton where he was personally known. led the authorities to arrange for his immediate arrest This was not accomplished at once. Instead dozen officers, headed by Deputy Su- perintendent William F. Watts, were forced to maintain an eight hour vigil during the early morning outside the hnFna n 1Fnn<1irE of Moses Grant Ednands. where the clergyman has been staying during the past week.
 Thought Police Were Newspaper Men.
 Repeated pulls at the doorbells, rappings and shouts failed to bring any response from those within the house through the night and the po- lice who were without a warrant were unwilling to make a forcible entrance. The deputy superintendent and his as- BlStants with a crowd of newspaper men remained on guard until about seven o'clock this morning, when Mr. Etmands admitted them expressing surprise at the appearance of the po- hce and saying that he had supposed fhe besiegers were all newspaper men.
 Wedding Invitations Recalled.
 Mir. Edmands is the father of Miss Violet Edmands, for whose marriage to MT. Richeson on October 31 cards had been issued. These invita- tions were recalled today. The Edmands family, however, maintains faith in Mir. Richeson and the only announce nent in connection with the withdraw w. 1l of the cards was to the effect that the marriage had been postponed.
 Case to Como Up On Intended We'd
 ding Day.
 The setting of October 31 as the date for .. further hearing of Mir. Richeson tn the municipal court developed coincidence in the fact that the day 5s that on which he was to have been married But neither the announce ment of the date nor any other hap pening in connection either with his irrest or court appearance seemed to disturb the prisoner to any great ex- len
 Rieheson Clasps Druggists Hand.
 Even when faced by the man who had more 10 do. probably. than any other person with his arrest-William Hahn. the Newton druggist who de- nred that Richeson had purchased a quantity of cyanide of potassium from him a week ago Tuesday-tlle minis Ter was unperturoed apparently. As Hahn was shown into the room at police hsadquarters Richeson left his ,eat and stepped forward. extending kiS hand. The men clasped hands and exchanged some words of greeting. It was notices ble that the druggist waSl mere moved than the man accused ofAl murder
 Decioned to Make Any Statement.
 When asked if he wished to make any statement. Rieheson answered with brief No, thank you' but ecded that he was hungry and would like to have some breakfast. A near by hotel was called upon to furnish tEe food and the prisoner relished q nfo f.f r~,fIf- md rRnpr'tad
 Wanted Drug To Kill Dog.
 Facing the accused clergyman, Druggist Hahn. who had known Mir. Rieheson for a number of years, told again the facts which immediately led 10 the ministers arrest. The druggist said that Richeson walked into his store Tuesday evening, October 10, and said: I've got dog at home rnat is creating a disturbance. She will be a nuisance unless I can kill her soon.'' Mir. Hahn said that he responded to Richeson T never know you had dog and that Richeson responded that he kept 1t in his room. Inquiry by the police at the Cambridge house where MT Richeson roomed developed the presence only of male dog owned by children of the landlord. The land lcrd said Richeson had never owned a dog during the eigh1 months he had lodged in the house.
 Enouch Poison to Kill Ter. Hahn further said that he suggest | cd chloroform to Mir. Richeson. but the 1 minister said he did not like the odor and wanted something that will work | quick Cyanide of potassium was mentioned as acting instantly, and the 1 minister said. according to Hahn, l 'Nell. give me some of-that.' The | druggist said he gave him enough to l Kill three dogs. but Richeson asked for | more and the preparation 6nally | amounted to enough to poison ten | men. As Mir. Richeson turned to go. | Hahn says the clergyman reminded | him Of his coming wedding to Miss | Tcr,ands and said Don't forget to 1 come adding. .ft must seem mys | terious 10 you about my buying this. | but you can keep a secret2'' Druseist's Story Caused Arrest.
 It was this story related early this | morning to Chief Inspector JoCeph 1 Dugan of the Boston police by an att forneS to whom Hahn had retained that 1 get the police of with the purpose of | fmmediately arresting MT. Richeson. AS told by Superintendent Watts in ap official statement the story of the crest was follows..