New-York tribune., 1911-12-21
ACCUSED CLERGYMAN
MUT|LATES HIMSELF
The Rev. C. V. T. RlCheSon,
Charged with Girls Murder,
Severely Cut by PieCe'Of Tin.
TRIAL TO BE HELD JAN. 10
Quick Operation Saves Prison
er's Life Counsel Unable
to Explain Motive for
His UnusualsAct.

Boston. Dec. .20-Cries ands groans break
ing the Stiffness Of the early morning hours
81 the Charles street Jail to-day led TO the
discovery THAI the Rev. Clarence v /.
Eicbeson. awaiting trial on the charge of
having murdered Miss AWs Linnell, had
rnutilated himself severely with piece Of
tin.
So dangerous was the wound that II was
found necessary 10 perform an operation
Immediately. Later in the day the surgeons
said this operation, which IN its nature
carried out the prisoners supposed intent
was entirely successful and that unless
there should be complications from blood
poisoning. which were not anticipated, the
prisoner would recover within two weeks.
County authorities. Jail officials and coun-
sci 10 Richeson all refused TO make any
comment on the possible mental processes
which led the accused man TO, the determi-
nation to injure himself or on the bearing
which HIS act might have on the further
legal progress OF hts.cas
Trial Will Go On As Planned.
District Attorney Joseph c. Pelletier. who
will have charge df the prosecution OF
Richeson on January Is, next. made brief
statement in which The asserted that the
trial WOULD begin oncthe %date assigned. He
said:
About four O'Clock .fhis morning while
In his cell Richeson' inflicted severe
lacerated wound upon himself WITT, what
Is apparently piece or tin can Meulcdi
and surgical assistance was at once sum
moned and an operation was Immediately
performed. -. -. .,
6tion is not dangerous, and II has not oeen
necessary 10 remove him from the jail.
The trial will be held onpthe-date originally
assigned. January To-
The District Attorneys assertion that
Richeson wouldFgbe szrong enough 70 appear
in court on January IL was corroborated by
Dr. Howard A. Lorhrop, one Of the sur
geons. Or. LothroP said:
Unless unlocked for complications set
in. Richeson will be completely recovered IN
ten davs or two weeks. / 90 not thlng MS
condition is serious. When arrived az the
isil h.e was bleeding prOfuseY. and had al
ready lost a good deal Of blood. 1t IS un-
likely that blood poisoning viii set IN,
Cansed nv piece of TIN. The facilities at
the iaif were very good. and We took the
greatest precautions 20 prevent bIood
Poisoning BY January 10 he shoHld be en-
t.relv well unless complications, which are
rather unlikely. set in.
Although Richie sons counsel would not
give any intimatiovl as 10 whether the de-
fence would seek a postponement Of the
trial or would take any other action be-
cause of Richeson's act they did say
definitely that tine accused clergyman had
wounded himselfdn an attempt-at emascu-
leton
Clergyman, Called for Help.
I, was about a. m. when a Jail at
,erdant heard Sounds as Of a man in pain
coming from Richeson' ,cen. Then words
became distinguishable
-Uo,tor' on. doctor, Come. doctor,
cufck"
The attendant summoned two others and
the three entered the Clertgvman's cell. The
prisoner lay on the floor. bleeding and evil
IDENTIFY suffering intense pain. The at
t,0dants asked him what the trouble was,
end he gasped
I've. cut myself. I'm bleeding TO death"
The prison doctor. when he saw the
wound. said that an immediate operation
was necessary. Three outside surgeon!
were called The prisoners cries ant
eroans and the unusual hustle about tht
iajl by this time had aroused other pris
oners. and there was mach suppressed eX
citersnt Gradually the news Of Richie
sons act spread among them.
Prisoner Gave First News.
II was through a short time prisoner
who was released early this forenoon, tha
the news Of Richeson's act first became
known 70 the,pubhc. Thegjail officials made
no announcement until they were ques
toned about the reports brought out by
this man.
William 4. Morse, one'of Rioheson's coun