The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-01-08
MADE UP A CAPSULE
Further Details of Richeson's Confess
sion of Murder.

! Boston, Jan. 8.-SpecuIation is rife as
to what will be the fate of the Rev.
| Clarence ". T. Richeson, who, in a
written statement, confessed the muir
der of his former sweetheart, Avis
! LinneIl.
From a source close to Governor
Foss, the statement came that the at
titude of the executive probably would
1 be in favor of a Communication of SEN
/ tence of death in the electric chair to
| one of life Imprisonment If the law S
fullest penalty is imposed by the court.
Mem ers of the governors council are
known to have been approached con-
corning their attitude in case the death
penalty is imposed and a petition for
| communication is made Attorneys for
Communication on the ground of in
sanity.
No 1eniency for Richeson on the part
OF the district attorney is expected and
no less plea than that of murder in
the first degree will meet with his ap-
prevail, according to a statement which
he reiterated, so the only hand that
seems able to stay Richeson's march
to the electric chair is that of Governor
F'oss
Rfcheson learned from the papers
that his confession was known through
out the land but while he read the va
rious accounts, he made no comment
upon them.
tails. Tt is understood, however, that
he enlarged on it in conversation and
possibly in writing to his counsel and
that the district attorney is now in pos
session of most of the information that
has come to the defense. The statement
is made on high authority that Richie
sons amplif1ed confession to his coun-
sci was on the following lines:
Details of the Crime.
After purchasing quantity of cyan
ide of potassium from William Hahn, a
Newton Center druggist, on October 10,
rooms in Cambridge. few days later
he borrowed from Mrs. Frank H Car
ter, in whose home he was a lodger, an
earthenware mixing bowl ito make
some book paste
Returning the bowl to Mrs. Carter an
hour or two later, he warned her to be
sure and wash it out thoroughly, say
ing II have been mixing poison in it,
Tt was in this bowl and at this time, it I
is said, that the minister by mixing the
cyanide of potassium with flour and
water, made the capsule which ulti-
mately caused Miss Linnel1's death. I
This was Thursday. October II.
On Saturday, October IA, Richeson |
met, by appointment, his one time fam |
Gee, who still believed herself his in
tended wife. Following their custom
the couple had a short walk and then
went into cafe. Here they had lunch +
con, after which they took another /
walk, this time to the Fenway. It was
while seated on a secluded bench in the
park after the girl had again told him
Of her worry over her physical condi-
ton, and had once more entreatad him
to find some remedy for her that the
is said to have handed the girl
the capsule, declaring It was a medi-
cine that would certainly act in the
desired.
He directed her as to the manner of
taking it. and then the pair walked to
the car line. Miss Linne1 went to her
room in the Young Women's Christian
association house, while Richeson
boarded a trolley car for BrookIine, go
ng to the home Of Miss Violet Ed
hands, the wealthy heiress whom he
vas to have married a few weeks later.
Meeting her chum, Miss Lucille Ziegler
Avis said she had been walking with
ler friend" (by which Miss Ziegler
xnew she meant Richeson), and COM
planned OF headache as her excuse for
to her room. A few hours
alter she was found unconscious in the
bathroom and died without regaining
If the plea. OF guilty is accepted, SEN
ence may be imposed Immediately, or