The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-12-21
Rev. Clarence Richeson
Saved by Immediate
Operation.
A w A ITING TRIAL
ON MURDERCHARGE
Prisoner Found Lying on Floor
by Jail Attendant Suffering In
tense Pain-Surgeons Are
Hastily Summoned, and,
After Drastic Treatment,
Predict His Recovery.

Boston. Mass. December oo,-Crics
and groans breaking the stiffness OF
the carly morning hours at the
Charles Street Jail to-day. led to the
discovery that the Rev. Clarence V. T.
Richeson. awaiting trial on the charge
had mutilated himself severely with
piece OF tin So serious was tho
wound that 1t was found necessary to
perform an operation immediately
Later In the day the surgeons said the
operation was entirely successful, and
that unless blood poisoning developed
the prisoner probably would recover
within two weeks.
county authorities. jail officials and
counsel for Richeson all refused To
comment upon the possible mental pro
cesses which led the accused man to
the determination to injure himself,
or what influence his act might have
upon future legal proceedings in his
case District Attorney Pellctier, who
Will have charge of Richeson's trial
set for January lo, made Il brief state
ment IN which he asserted that the
trial would begin on the date assign
ed.
The district attorneys declaration
that Richeson would be strong enough
to appear in court on January Is, was
corroboratcd by DR.. Howard a. Lo-
throp. one OF the surgeons who attend
ed the prisoner. Richeson's counsel
would give no intimation whether
defense would seek q postponement, or
take any other action because OF
Richesons act.
u-.. hn,,
attendant heard Richeson crying;
Doctor; Oh. Doctor. Come, Doctor
quick" He summoned two other at.
PENDANTS. and they iound the prisoner
lying on the floor, bleeding and sui.
fering Intense pain.
i've cut myseIf-I'm bleeding tc
death. Richeson told them.
The prison doctor who was brought
to the cell declared that an immediate
operation was necessary, and three
surgeons were sent for The opera
ton occupied considerable time, and al
its conclusion, II was announced that
1t had been successful. and that the
prisoner was expected to make a
speedy recovery.
1t was through n short-time prison.
err. who was released to-day that news
OF Richeson's act first became known
to the public TIL, jail officials had
ii!due no announcement in the matter
until they were questioned about the
reports brought out by this man.
Is Not Questioned.
When Richeson came out from under
the influence of the anesthetic he had
nothing TO say. BY order Of the sur
geons he was not questioned by any
one. and will be kept quiet until he
gains strength.
The crime charged against Richeson,
who formerly was pastor of the Inn
manuel Baptist Church, of Cambridge,
is the murder OF Avis Linnell on the
night OF October II. Miss Lnnell. who
was nineteen years old. was native of
Hyannis. where Richeson formerly
preached, and was studying at the New
England Conservatory OF Music. in this
city. Miss Llnnell was found dying In
bathroom in the Dung Women's
Christian Association building. on War
rcnton Street, Boston, where she lodged.
At first 1t was believed that the young
woman had taken poison with suicidal
intent. but n day or two later it ne
came known that she had taken cyan
ide OF potassium in the belief that II
would remedy her condition.
In their investigation into the death
of Miss Linnell the police found evil
dence, they claimed, which tended to
implicate Richeson. aud he was arrested
on October 20 at the home of Miss Vio-
let Edmands. to whom he was to have
been married on October 81. His In
dictmcnt followed.