The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-05-17

statements.
II am and have always been of the
opinion that the evidence submitted to
Governor Foss was more than amply
suihcicnt 10 have warranted IA com
mutation OF Richeson's sentenc,
While he may not be Insane in tn
strict legal acccptatiou of that wore,
Der c, after stormy meeting. refused
10 accept IT. Later a second letter of
resignation was sent ard accepted on
November %.
The police had even at this time far
from satisfactory case against Richie
on. The contaIner OF the poison which
i'ss L!nnell had taken could not be
FOUND. II was believed some vial or
box might have been LEFT in the pocket
Of Miss Linnell's bathrobc. which had
been buried with her. The body was
dlsinterred in Iiyannls on October 2;
and brought to Boston for a post-mor-
tern examination by hvs prominent
Physicians. The cause OF death was
confirmed, but nc additional evidence
.as found
At the same time the police began
an investigation into the life of Richie.
son. Every import Mt act of his life
from the date of his birth at Rose
H'll. Va. thirty-nve years ago, until
his advent in Cambridge was conc
into. 1t was found that he went to
school early az Amherst Courthouse,
Va. high school. then went to Car
rollton. Mo. to work for brother and
attend a local academy. Three years
later he went to Liberty. Mo- and
entered william Jewell College TO
study for the ministry. While u stu
dent he supplied rulpits in Kansas
City. Mo-: Stewartsville. Miss: FL
Paso. Tex: Louisville. Ky. and other
places
Richeson's life had not been an UNI
disturbed one. IT was learned. and
many tales We're related of his en-
tanglements with young women. At
Liberty. Mo-. while in William Jewell
College. he had been engaged to tho
daughter of a professor. The young
woman lent Richeson money TO pursue
his studies. end UP TO the time of his
coming to Hyannis believed she was
TO be his wife. LIN the meantime she
developed tuberculosis. which still
necess!tates her remaining IN Salt
Lake City, Utah. The one bright ray
of light in R'cheson's career appear
cd to he that lie repaid the money
loaned him as fast as possible. The
shortly before he came to Cambridge
Richeson was expelled from William
Jewell College for cheating in exami-
nations shortly after he had been or
dained at the First Baptist Church in
ST. Louis. For time he worked as IL
conductor on the street cars of the
latter city, and was prominent In IL
strike OF street car men, his fiery
/ elonuence making him natural
leader.
! While at Budd Park Baptist Church
in Kansas City. Richeson became In
I volvcd with n widow. Ono Sunday
/ she appeared Unexpectedly during the
church service. Richeson, upon see.
: ing her. fell in a faint A brother
/ OF the woman called at Richeson's
rooms and the young minister left
town suddenly. y note to the deacons
explained that he had been driven
away By jealous women.
At another cEorch three young wo-
men interrupted the service one Sun
day. simultaneously rising, each in
duired OF the minister if he intend
cd TO carry out his promise TO marry
! her The sensation led the deacons
OF the church to write for the pastors
resignation.
Richeson entered Newton Theological
Seminary In the fall of 1906 and gradu-
ated in 1909 During his course he
earned money by working in restau
to the HyaGnis church In 1909 and re-
NAMED there until June. 1910, when he
resigned to accept the pastorate OF the
Emmanuel Baptist Church. in Cam
. bridge. Runners OF his interest in wo-
men while Il preacher in MASSACHUSETTS,
have been current. Miss Edmands.
upon the arrest of her fiance, left Cam
bridge 10 escape publicity. and. 1t is
said, has been engaged in charity work.
Prisoners StrnnEc Act.
Interest in the case was intensified
on December 20 when Ii became known
that Richeson had mutilated himself
in his cell al the Charles Street Jail
The public apparently lost all sympa-
, thy for the prisoner following his
strange act. which was Interpreted as
! a confession of guilt. At Hyanais. the
| home Of AVIS Linnell. the minister was
hung in ehigy. with a placard on the
dummy reading: Guilty. Read Luke
xvii ." In Boston conference of
Baptist ministers was called. and Rich
eson was formally deprived OF his title
of reverend.
! Rcheson confessed his guilt In a
statement written by himself on Janu
AIRY and given out by his counsel on
January 6. The confession was ad-
dressed to his counsel and read:
Deeply penitent before my sins and
/ earnestly desiring, as far as in my
[ power lies. to make atonement, here
; by confess that am guilty OF the o.:
| Tense OF which / stand indicted am
moved to this course by no inducement
| of self-beneilt or lenicncy. Hcinous as
is my crime. God has not wholly ADAM
doned me. and my conscience and man
hood. however dcpraved and blighted.
Will not admit of my still further
wronging by public trial her whose
pure young life have destroyed.
Under the lashings OF remorse have
I ali md rf,