The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1912-05-16
R|CHESON SHOWS
REMARKABLE
COMPOSURE
Former Clergyman Apparently
Resigned to His Fate
READS RELIGIOUS BOOKS
ANONYMOUS Letters Being Received
at the Prison, Most of Them
From Women

Boston, Mass, May 16.-No inmate
of Charlestown state-prison gave
Warden Bridges less trouble yester-
day than did Clarence V. T. Richie
son, poisoner of Avis Linnell From
the time OF his removal Tuesday from
the Charles street Jail to the death
house in the prison the former clergy
man, who is under sentence to be
electrocuted next week, has preserv-
ed the calmest demeanor and sub
mitted to the rigor of prison discip-
line with perfect composure.
In view of the fact that Richeson is
known to be of highly emotional
and nervous nature, his self-posses-
sion is puzzle to his guards and the
authorities AS the reports of the
alienists employed by Gov. Foss have
not yet been filed, and his case has
not been submitted to the executive
council, those who are watching the
prisoner believe that he may still
hold some hope of reprieve or com
mutation. Again, he may have be-
come resigned 10 his fate and stands
ready to die in expiation of his crime.
Which view is sutaining him is a
question no one seems able to
answer
Richeson's stay at Charlestown
thus far has been marked by sphinx
like silence regarding his case. Not
once has he given or asked informa-
tion of the guards, not once has, he
expressed dissatisfaction with his
plight. The only request which he
has made which might have signif-
canoe was call yesterday for some
books from the library. Richeson
sent word to the warden that he
would like to have the prison chap
| lain, Rev. Herbert w. Stebbins, visit
him. When Rev. Nj. Stebbins called
Rlcheson asked him to get several
books of religious nature for him.
These the chaplain procured from the
prison library and carried into the
prisoner. He declined to give the
titles of the volumes. The daily pa
pers were also supplied to the pris.
oner.
The information was given out
from the governors office last night
that the reports of the three alienists
Drs. Stedman, Frost and futile, had
not been filed with the governor and
that further. he had not been able to
form any decision as to whether he
would make recommendation to the
council for clemency. The council
met yesterday, following its usual
custom, but the Richeson matter was
not brought up.
Richeson rose soon after Z O'Clock
from the cot in his cell in the death
house yesterday morning. His break
fast consisted of two eggs, toast and
coffee. He expressed a desire foi
fruit later and during the day apples
oranges and grapefruit were secured
for him. For dinner he had chicken
a pot of tea and some bread
William A. Morse. counsel fol-
Richeson, who visited him at the
prison yesterday. said: THE cas-,
stands just as II did yesterday morn
Ing. except that in carrying out tn,
decree of the law physical steI
has been taken by the transfer of IN,
prisoner from the Charles-street jai
to the state-prison. To me this does
, hot iHSdH any lullb, lot he can De re
prieved just as easily in prison as II
Jail, If the governor says the word
That word depends upon the repor
: that is to come, and until IL has beef
made and digested by the governor
Richeson is no better or no worse OF
than he has been for several days
Personally | believe that Gov. Eos
will refer this petition to the coun
Gil, for cannot understand how
three such noted specialists can fai
4 to judge Richeson irresponsible afte
the very thorough examination the,
have made OF him"
There began to arrive at the wal
; den's office anonymous letters, sucI
+ as invariably reach the prison whel
G a notable prisoner occupies the dealt
, house awaiting execution Chaplain
J. Stebbins also received some CON
s. munications. Most of the letters cor
y demned the prisoner and his act
d some contained advice and sugges
e lions, while few we're of sympa
s thetic nature and offered hope an
/ encouragement. Nearly all wer
# from women.