Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-05-23

Boston, May 21-ClarenCe V. T. Riche-
son was electrocuted at 12:17 this morn
Ing.
The current was turned on at 1210:O2 and
the prisoner was declaIed dead at 1871.
The former Baptist clergyman, con.
fessed polsoner of Avis Lnnell of Hyan-
MS. his one-time sweetheart, was out
wardly calm when he entered the death
chamber and he maintained his compo-
sure while the straps and electrodes were
being adjusted as he sat in the electric
chair.
Richeson walked to the chair erect
eyes straight ahead until he sat down.
Then he closed his eyes and kept them
shut until the end.
Seated In the chair, he was asked a
series Of question by the Rev. Herbert
s. johnson. his spiritual adviser. In the
course Of his answers. he said:
God will take care of my soul and
pray for all. forgive everybody" The
last of the questions was 'are you will
Ing to die for Jesus sake?" The reply,
In an even. wel-modulated tone was
simply II am willing to die
ONE APPLICATION KILLED HIM
The current applied was of 1900 volts,
eight amperes. one application was suf
fcent.
When the officials and witnesses of
the execution entered the death chamber
nfter walking through the prison yard
in pelting rain, they heard sounding
through the walls the strains of song
1t was Richeson and his spiritual adj
visers, the Rev. Mr.. johnson and Chap
lain Stebbns. singing Distinctly audible
they closed were the words For I
know, what e'er befal me, Jesus doeth
all things Well"
Richeson left his cell smiling at 1o:0S
Before starting the death march he
shook hands with VIM a. Morse, his
counsel who at the last moment had
been admitted as a witness of the execu-
lion and with the two chaplains. the
Rev. NJ j. Murphy. the Catholic prison
chaplain being also present.
Then he said: Pm ready" and walked
on He was dressed plainly in a black
cheviot suit, frock coat, white vest,
white shirt, turned down collar and a
black bow tie, with gold studs on his
shirt front. and with low black shoes.
brightly shined. His head was shaved
down the middle three inches wide.
AS CALM AS COMPANIONS.
The party then entered the chamber
Richeson. accompanied by the clergymen,
followed soon after. the unfrocked minis
ter as calm as either of his companions
The Rev. Herbert w. Stebbins. the prison
chaplain, preceded the condemned man
in the march to the chair. Solemnly his
deep voice rang out through the cham
Der as he read from the 5lst psalm:
Have mercy upon me. God. accord
ing to Thy loving kindness: according
unto the multitude of Thy tender merces
blot out my transgressions. Wash me
thoroughly from mine in;quity and
cleanse me from my sin. For acknowl-
edge my transgressions and my sin Is
ever before me-
Then he turned to II Timothy the first
rhapter and 18th verse: II know Whom
have believed and am persuaded that
lie Is able to keep that which I have
committed unto Him against that day."
AS Richeson settled himself slowly in
the electric chair and threw back his
head and closed his eyes. the minister
turned to Hebrews ana read: For He
Is able also to save them to the utter
most that come unto God by Him seeing
that He ever liveth to make ntercession
for them
EVERY HAND TREMBLED.
-Four prison guards picked up the straps
dangling like tantacles from the chair
of death and quickly slipped them into
place through their buckles, There was
il CULVER in every mans hand and even
The electrician twice placed the face
strap over the doomed mans face before
lie could adjust 1t satisfactorily
Throughout the entire time the former
minister was talking bravely. earnestly
with full steady voice, as he gave answer
Hfter answer to questions propounded 10
him by his spiritual adviser. the Rev
Herbert S. Johnson
Richeson left no public statement
but his counsel. William A. Morse
gave out an interview imme iiately
after the execution in which he told
Of the last hours spent vita the pris-
Oner
For two hours" said his attorney
~ was in close conversation with
Richeson Tonight and he talked very
COnhdentially over all matters He
expressed to me all that he wanted
done and | shall carry out all his
wishes. He was ready to go. brave
ma rcconciled He asked me to go
with him to the death chair, and did
HAD PAID DEBT IN FULL.
"He wanted me to say to the world
That he had paid his debt and felt that
he was going home to God for a large
rervice of Iife that he had failed here,
but he had suffered enough to know
that he would be forgiven; that he was
rlad to go and to have opportunity for
a larger service in another world"
Among many letters addressed to
Plcheson which were opened by War
den Bridges to-day. was one which was
found 10 contain cyanide OF potassium.
IT was mailed from station n, New
York city. on May 10 at 3:M p, m. 1t
contained no clue to the sender, the
powder being enclosed in small sub
envelope marked Headache powders"
Analysis developed that 1t was poison
Or the same nature as that which killed
AVIS Linnell.