Evening journal., 1912-05-21

Attorney Morse left to say his fare
we'll to Richeson Three minutes later
at 1904 o'clock. Warden Bridges said.
Gentlemen we are ready"
No death warrant was read then
nor after the death chamber was
reached. in no regular order, but
keeping well together, the little group,
led by the military figure of Warden
Bridges, entered the rotunda of the
prison. They crossed noiselessly 10 a
door opening on a court. A violent,
drenching rain beat In their faces as
they stepped out
Across the enclosed yard, with col
lars upturned and hats pulled down
they moved to a great iron door The
door swung open noiselessly and the
drenched group entered. The chamber
was bright as day.
Lying across the arms OF the ugly
chair, over which hung a single light
was double row Of test lights
screwed to bar. The executioner
/ turned on the current as the group
entered, for the final test Just above
where his hand had turned the shin
/ ing. round switch. the indicator ner-
vously pulsated forward. then back
ward and then forward, resting tremu-
lously on the voltage register. The
switch was turned hack and the lights
went back AS they did so a burst
Of song came through the massive
door which separated the death cell
from the death chamber.
Condemned Man Sings Favorite Hymn
safe in the arm of Jesus; safe in
His gentle care" came the words,
slightly muf1ed but distinct. Aud
Richeson's clear southern accent
could easily be distinguished above
the others As the verse was finish
ed Warden Bridges. who had taken
his stand. erect and motionless. direct
" before and a few feet away from
the chair, nodded a signal Two
guards threw open the door. AS they
did so the last verse OF the old hymn,
Richesons s favorite in hoyhood and
ministerial days. interrupted the en-
trance of the men who had started
TO lead him 10 death.
What they saw was Richeson stand
ing close to his cell door, both hands
clasping the bars, singing with face
almost transfgured They we're not
the same features that had faced the
court months before and pleaded
not guilty TO numbering Avis Lin
nell Il was neither the same face
that had later changed this plea 10
one of guilty in the hope that he would
escape death "and live out his life
behind prison walls where he might
! consecrte II to God" !"
The two ministers stood close to the
cell joining in the singing Attorney
Morse. plainly showing his mental
torture, sat huddled in a chair di-
rectly in front Of the cell and be-
, tween the ministers. smoking. He had
been permitted, at Richeson's request,
I 10 witness the execution. What he suf-
, fered to grant his clients last earthly
Z request was obvious All this was
= flashed to the eyes of those waiting in
the death chamber in an instant The
! two guards turned quickly and search
1 cd Warden Bridges face. Although he
! made no perceptible sign they stopped
/ short and waited for that last songful
q prayer to end There was no hurry by
o the singers. There was no diminution
q of the volume of sounds as IL swelled
4 out into the room where waited the
4 witnesses The whitewashed stone
t walk reverberated with the last hope
q full words
y For I know what ere befalls me
Jesus doeth things we'll"
AS It ended the guards stepped for
r ward.
: Bids All Goodbye.
t Goodbye, Mr. Morse" came th'
= clear tones from Richeson as his doc
$ opened and he stepped out with
a guard on each side.
= Goodbye, Mr.. johnson, and good
n bye Mr.. Stebbins." said the doomed
man as he smilingly thrust out hi
r hand for a final clasp. He slightl
+ stopped, but his step was firmer thai
o those OF the ministers who walke
+ behind him and then passed him a
It he was stopped and aided to his sea
+. In the chair.
: As they passed him, the Rev MI
e Stebbins concluded his reading of III
Scriptures and DR.. johnson began hi
It questions.
9 As the fatal straps and metals wer
It being adjusted and even after tn
t, rubber head piece had hidden his eve
s and chin. leaving only his lips an,
a the lower part of his fiattened nos
S slightly protruding through the open
ings, Richeson continued to confes
n Christ and express his belief /
o salvation.
: Makes Full Confession.
8 Would you like 10 confess Chris
n before these witnesses, as your Sa
: viour?' asked Dr. Johnson.
II 81 do confess Christ as my Saviour
J. answered Richeson as he settled him
l., self in the chair, looking straish
v ahead and over the silent figures VIII,
+ stood before him.
,s Have YOU the peace of God in you
= heart at this hour?"
> 81 have the peace OF God in m
le heart" came the answer In stead
D tones Here Richeson was slightly in
II terrupted for fraction of a second a
m the leg electrode was adjusted and tn
rubber face mask was put on and the
. changed. Then. his lips moving wit
AZ difficulty under the tightening pree
h sure of the rubber. which Hattened hi
n nose and protruded his lips. he wer
s. on God will take care of my soul.
=. Does Christ give You the strengt
n You need in this hoIr?'
Id Christ gives me the strength
~ Continued on PAGE 2.