Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-01-24
RiChesOn Said to
Be a Dying Man.

Boston, Jan. 23.-Sherif John Quinn
Jr., declared, today, to a committee O
the city council. that Rev, Clarence Y
r. Richeson. the confessed slayer OF
Avis Linneu. was in dying condition il
his cell, although by giving the prisoner
sustaining food ii was expected that he
would survive until the day sci for thC
execution, May ~.
Richeson was introduced in his cell tc
the members of the committee and IN
their presence Sheriff Quinn asked tn.
condemned minister if he had any COM
plaint to make as to his treatment
81 am satisfied with my treatment
here" was the reply.
The councillors said that Riehesor
looked very weak and emaciated. His
cheeks were sunken and very white. His
shoulders dropped one councillor was
so affected by the sight Of the man that
he had to leave the cell
sheriff Quinn and his assistants are
very attentive" continued Rieheson. Il
have good food and plenty of it. ! real
ize that ] am locked up and my end Is
near. but I am thankful that while I re-
main on earth l am taken such good
care Of"
II am feeling better than / did said
Richeson In reply to a question by ON
of the council
The committee which visited the jail
consisted of Councillors Attridge. NJ
Donald, Ballantyne. Collins and Smith.
The city council is made up Of nine men,
bers and has nothing to do with the ex-
ecutive council of the state, which may
be asked to commute Richeson's sentence
of death.
The city council acts as county COM
missioners for Suffolk county and the
committee visited the jail, today, on 4
tour of inspection of county buildings.
The members We're the first persons
outside the family, few intimate friends
and the lawyers. who have called upon
Richeson since his aferst.
In the cell were noticed five books:
Life of st. Ignatius De Loyola. Founder
of the Jesuits," the Lives of the Saints.
Holy Living and Holy Dying. the Bible
and a volume of Shakespeare.
The committee found Richeson oc-
cupying one OF the largest cells in the
jail. The door of the cell was open
slightly, with a guard sitting near the
entrance. Richeson was pacing up and
down the cell nervously, while his
companion, the Negro Butts, who is
to be tried for murder later, was sit
ting in a chair. The guard told the
committee that Richeson spent most
of his time pacing his cell and did not
read but a few minutes, each day.
I'VE keep the door open.'' explained
Sheriff Quinn, because we do not
know what Richeson will do
Before the committee visited the
cell, Sheriff Quinn cautioned them not
Monroe murderer, who is expected to
die, this week, after the unfayorable
attitude of the Governor and Council
on the question of his communication.
When Councillor Attridge came into the
rotunda of the jail he spoke of the APP
pearance of Richeson and said: at was a
sad sight. He is certainly a very weak
man, but think he will live until May.
Sheriff Quinn remarked as the commit
tee was leaving the jail that the Negro
Butts was an excellent companion for
Richeson. "He is faithful and being a
Virginian he has fondness for his
charge
'Richeson seems to like him and thinks
it is a favor to have him as a sort of a
strength, but he requires the best of
food. He has but little blood left and Ct
will take a long time to gain it back,
"If ] permitted everyone to see him it
would probably upset him.