The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1912-05-11
RICHESON ON
KNEES PLEADS
WITH SHERIFF
BREADS REMOVAL FROM
JAIL TO FATAL PRISON
Alienists May Report to Gov.
Foss To-Day as to the
Sanity of Prisoner.
Minister-Murder To Know Before
Night IL Governor Will
Intervene.

BOSTON. May 1O.-Had the usual
procedure been followed Clarence v.
+. Richeson, the murderer OF Avis
Linnell would have awakened today
in a cell in the state prison close TO
the chamber where he is condemned
10 die during the week OF May 10.
Executive action, pending reports as
to his sanity by certain experts. has
delayed his transfer from the county
Jail.
Governor Foss stated today that he
had not heard from the alienists en-
ployed 10 examine Richeson and that
until those reports were in hand, he
should take no action in the case.
Several days ago. the governor re-
quested Sheriff Quinn. the custodian
of Richeson. not TO be hasty in trans
ferring the former minister 20 the
care OF Warden Bridges at the state
prison and at noon to-day Richeson
was still IN the Charles street Jail
under close watch by a bailiff and u
prison attendant.
Report to Foss.
receive the reports of the alienists by
tomorrow. and that he will then have
sufficient data upon which TO deter.
mine whether he shall submit the
case to the executive council for ac-
ton on a petition for Communication OF
the death sentence. No special meet
ing o. the council has been called, and
the next regular meeting is on We'd
nesday. four days before the day set
for the execution.
Mayor Fitzgerald to-day sent COM
munication 10 Governor Foss asking
him not to submit the petition for a
commutation OF Richeson's sentence TO
the executive council. The mayor de-
clared that Richeson's crime was "one
OF the most abominable in the history
OF the country" and merited the ex-
treme penalty.
Pleads on Knees.
Sheriff Quinn visited Rieheson al
the Charles street Jail tonight and
told him he would be removed to-
morrow TO Charlestown state prison.
The minister went down upon his
knees and begged TO be allowed 10
stay at the Jail few days more.
He imp3ored me TO allow him 70 re-
main here as long as l could said
Sheriff Quinn. He said that he would
like to spend these last few days in
the place where ne had already had
passed so much time. He had been
kindly treated here. he said. and want
ed 70 stay as long as possible. II
would have been hard to refuse him.
and ! told him that he would not be
removed tomorrow or Sunday"
The next regular meeting OF the gov
ernOr's council is on Wednesday and
although this Is only four days before
the date set for the execution, Richie
son may be kept at Charles street jall
until the council has had. opportunity
10 act should Governor Foss refer TO
Il Richeson's plea for commutation OF
sentence.
In a statement given ont from the
governors Office tonight. II was
stated that the governor was not seek
ing 10 save Richesons life. even
though opposed 10 capital punishment.
but desired 20 be satisfied on the ques.
tion. Was Rlcheson insane AZ the
time the crime was committed" II
the man was. shown 20 be sane. the
governor will not interfere. To ascer.
tain this fact ne has asked Dr. Yer.
non Briggs. DIT Henry Stedman. Dr.
Mortimer Prinnee and Dr. Fernald for
opinions.