The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-05-20

ened to Brookline to be with the young
woman who was making preparations
for the wedding on October 81. At the
end Of that evening. prob5Joly in the
heclus!oH Of his room he sat down and
wrote an encouraging letter to Miss
Felts
There was no excuse for that letter
which raised the dropping spirits of
the sick woman. except to send the
news that 1t bore. that she must take
heart because he would be with her
soon.
Why Richeson should have thought
to reassure Miss Fclts OF his affection
that night. when he had slain one in
nocent young girl who had pledged
herself to him. and when he had but
just left the side of another. who was
to be his bride SO coon. is past com
prehension. 1t may have been an
impulsive act. and perhaps It was. for
when no had scaled and Addressed the
envelope Richeson slipped out Of the
house and deposited It in q street mail
box.
Richeson left little behind him I'M
pressed upon the memories of old ac-
puaintanccs of his family In Amherst
and LynchburE. Va. His was an old
Virginia family before the civil War
who had been among the prosperous
slaveholding class The father was
Il grower OF tobacco and the mother
a devout woman. the daughter of a
Methodist minister. She died when
Clarence was very young, and died as
she had ilvcd-with the respect and
affection OF the whole countryside
In training and education Clarence
RicheEon was fortunate. Brought UP
In n religious atmosphere. he was
pupil In the highest grades of the
public schools, having been graduated
from the Kenmore High School in
Lynchburg.
He was eighteen when he finished
the education obtainablc at his home.
and is remembered as bright, en-
gaSinE boy. who seemed to have talent
for profession. Upon leaving school.
for Il few months, with a partner.
about Lynchhurg, using a horse and
wagon borrowed from his father.
Street Car Strike Leader.
An older brother had been received
in the home OF an uncle In Carrolton.
Mo- near st. Louis. and Clarence. with
his mind on college. was invited TO
join the brother. Already the ambi-
tion for a higher education was
squirting Clarence Richeson. but his
father had not the means TO crafty
II. SO the young man resolved to earn
tho price OF his tuition.
In st. Louis the youth saw his OPP
portunity, and in 1928 he was at work
In hardware store there. At first
he ran the elevator and as he became
more accustomed to the surroundings
he was admitted to the shipping de-
partment. and Hnally he was placed
behind the counter. Handling heavy
burdens hardened his hands. and In
the later years OF his life his calloused
palms were evidence OF the occupation
o. his youth.
Was Strike Leader.
Young Richeson was always seek
ing great emolument. and in 1900
threats of a strike on the street rail
ways OF st. Louis promised higher
wages than he was receiving in the
hardware establishment. He went to
the superintendent OF the old Lindcll
Street Railway early In 1900, and in
applying for work he promised to re-
main on duty IL the men struck.
Impressed by his apparent sincerity.
the superintendent gave Richeson en-
ploymcnt as conductor. For several
months he collected fares. Incidentally,
the motorman who had the run with
Richeson about mid-October last re-
ceived an invitation to attend the
wedding OF his former fellow-carman
and Miss Violet Edmands
When the strike was declared In
May. 1900. Clarence Richcson, his
earlier intentions changed by the sym
pathy aroused by association with the
men. Joined their ranks and quit his
car. In the demonstrations that fol-
lowed the tall. slender figure OF Richie
son was conspicuous, but not as an
inciter of bitter feeling. lie led pa-
rades. addressed the gatherings of
strikers In the streets and in halls.
but he always counseled peaceful
measures.
In the reprisals that followed the
suspension of work by the men Richie
son always deprecated violence. There
are In st. Louis many men to-day
who remember how he cXhorted the
crowds on the. street corners and about
the car barns
In those days 'Rbcheson. always
spectacular, yearned to display his
forensic power. He was sufficiently
prominent to be named in an in
junction secured by the street railway
managers in May, 1900. In the Federal
court.
with the settlement of the strike
and the amalgamation OF the several
street railways Richeson gave UP ex-
| pectations OF resumnS employment as
carman. He got n job with a bread
company and acted as a salesman and
| delivery man.
He was then studying privately for
J tho ministry. still treasuring the am
| billion to matrlculate at a. college or
seminary. He had joined tho Third
! Baptist Church in ST. Louis, and had
| won the favorable regard OF the pas
| tor and tho deacons.
He taught class in Sunday school.
and in the summer OF 1901 his piety
and earnestness had been SO impressed
upon those in authority that he was
| placed In charge of a mission in st.
Louis. The following winter. preach
ing on Sundays and week day even
1ngs, young Richeson spent his days
selling bread that no. might earn
enough to enter college.
College Love Affairs.
In the summer Of 1902 he appeared
in Liberty. Mo-, as an attendant at
the lectures in William Jewell College.
| He was admitted to the summer
| courses upon the recommendation of