Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1912-05-24
RlCHESON DIES
Murder of Avis Linnel Electro
Cuted Shortly After Midnight.

bOS lON, may Il.-M urnuri"s
"God, forgive me and receive my
SOUL" Clarence v. T. Richeson, erst-
while clergyman, paid the penalty for
the murder of Miss Avis Linnell in
the electric chair in Charlestown State
Prison at IL. OF this morning.
He showed neither fear nor emotion
and walked to the chair with as firm
step as if he had been going to the
pulpit. His face was as white as
chalk. He left the death cell and en-
tered the execution chamber at 1908
A. M. The current was turned on at
II. 10 OF and 1900 volts of amperes
continued for one minute and eight
seconds to pass through his body.
He was declared legally dead at 12:17
O'Clock.
During the execution there was q
violent thunder and lightning storm,
accompanied by heavy rain, and sew
eral hundred of q crowd of /, 500 were
driven from the streets surrounding
the prison into doorways. They sang
and jerred the name of Richeson, while
a hot-waffie man passed among them
selling his cakes as fast as an assis-
tant could make them.
Warden Bridges called Richeson up
at 1906 O'Clock to start for the death
chamber. He arose from chair with
smile and, with his head erect, walk
ed between two clergymen, Rey. DR..
Herbert Johnson, his spiritual advis-
err, and Rev. 81. Fl. Stebbens, the pris-
on chaplain, singing in clear voice,
"For 1 Know Whate'er Befalls, Jesus
Doeth All Things Well"
AS he entered the execution chamber
the last word of the hymn died away
! in his throat and in one flash his row.
ing eyes took in the instrument OF
death and those assembled to see him
die He did not finch. He walked to
the chair unassisted and sat down.
The witnesses were nervous and i'd
getting in their seats. The calmest
man in the chamber was Richeson.
While the guards were adjusting the
straps on his legs and the leather cap
on his shaver head DR.. johnson stood
by his side.
"Would you like to confess Christ
before these witnesses as your Sayi-
our?" asked the minister.
81 do confess Christ my Saviour, Z"
replied Richeson, moving slightly to
aid the guards at their work.
"Have you the peace of God in your
heart this hour?'
eyes" Richeson replied, in a clear
voice.
docs Christ give you the strength
you need in this hour?'
"Christ gives me the strength need
in this hour" came the answer, the
voice trembling but sighting at the
last word.
DO you repent of your sin?"
81 d." in strong voice.
"Do you forgive everybody?"
81 do"
| "Haye you the peace of God in your
hearth" repeated DR.. Johnson.
"God will take care of my soul and
I pray for all, /" replied Richeson, his
voice weaker.
"Are you willing to die for Jesus
sake?" asked Rev. Johnson, his own
voice hoarse with the final question.
| FATAL SWITCH THROWN.
81 am willing to die," we're Richie
sons final words, for, as the last syli-
able slipped from the leather straps
across his face Warden Bridges rails
ed his cane, let it fall, and the con-
cealed executioner threw the fatal
switch into place. Richeson's body
leaped in the straps almost as his last
word left his lips. For one minute
and eight seconds a current, which
was first 1900 volts and which was
varied from 1000 volts of amperes to
as low as few hundred and then book
again to 1900, passed through the
felon's body.
Immediately after the execution
Richeson's body was taken to the
North Grove Street Morgue where an
autopsy will be performed today by
DR.. George McGrath, medical examin-
! err. After the autopsy it will be sent
to Richeson's boyhood home at Am
herst, Va, for burial.