The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-05-20
TRANCE Life Story of C. v T. Rcheson, Now Awaiting Death

Boston. Mass. Ma. 1s.-over in
Eharlestown, in small onc-story
granite building at the western
end OF the group OF structures which
comprise tho AIassa chusetts State
prison. Clarence Virgil Thompson
iticheson. the youthful Baptist clergy
man is waiting to pay the extreme
penalty prescribed by law for the muir
der of Miss Avis Linnell. tho Hyannis
choir singer. whose life IA. took that
nc might marry without fear OF dis
closure Miss Violet Edmands. the
daughter of wealthy man.
out in Salt Lake CITY. In seclusion
and suffering. 1t Is said. from tubercu.
iosls in Its last stages. is Miss Patsey
u.eits, another and one of the first Of
INC many women deluded by this man
whose trail from the Middle West to
the East Is stre0vn with his cast off
loves. Avis linncll sleeps In grave
In the village d.metery at Hyanni&
violet Edmands has buried herself
from the world in which she lived
seeking to forget ny ministrations 10
the poor and other unfor:unates tho
tragedy OF her life.
TIL names of Miss Felts. Miss Lin
nell and Miss Edmands have been more
closely linked with that of R!Cheson
IMAM any others. 1t is because he was
engaged 10 be married to them all at
ono and the sam, time They worc
The same diamond engagement ring In
tho order named
Miss Fets was tho earliest sweet
Ncart Of the three following the ro-
nance ot his college days in Missouri:
nc apparently was her devoted and
constant lance up TO the very night
that he sought refuge in the homo of
MISS Demands 10 hide from tho storm
that was breaking upon him. Miss
L'nneil was the country girl Who
placed her trust in Richcson when he
was the pastor Of her church. and
nnder promise OF marriage. had Il b.-
traNed. Miss Edmands was tho third
70 sce IN this man the romance of her
lfe. and to her the Clergyman meant
TO DO true. He meant TO marry n. r
md thus gain social standing and az
fuence.
Iie could not keep his promise to
Miss Edmnnds without running the
FISK of having Hvannis folk denounce
him. OF bringing disgrace upon those
sllicd 10 him by marriage ties. and
upon Ills church Tho time was grow
ms short on october 81. Halloween
night. he and Miss Edmands were 10
wed Miss Felta was too far away TO
hear Of the marriage until 1t was too
late. and he relied upon his influences
NF'i ll'l ~ KEEP U'l lba'l i'ut iUlo
lfttlc Cape Cod girl was bearing n
child of which he was the father.
What could I've do7
Richeson thought IL out and decidcg
that sre must die. Seventeen days be-
fore the date set for his marriage to
Hiss Edmands he persuaded Avis Lin
ncil to takc potion which lie told
iior would save her from shame. She
trusted him and swallowed the fatal
drug While she was writhinE i'm heT
death arony Richeson WAS discussing
with Miss Edmands AT her home in
Brooklinc the plans for their MARI
y Richcson had goat influence with
women. iiis whole career shows that
they regarded him as gifted man
md he was in many ways. He be-
came an eloquent preacher. He Garb-
ID himself carefully and his physique
was commanding. When he first be-
gan his work as y clergyman he SIN
-icd out young women In his congrc-
patione and made love to them.
Usually there We're groups of them.
For instance. In Kansas City these wo-
mon two OF them members OF his con-
tsregation. accused him OF having bean
engaged 10 them. He wes pastor OF
the bud Park Bapt!st Church from
1901 TO 1908 ODe sunday he preached
a sermon on Temptations of Young
pow were three young women They
arose after the service and approached
Richcson.
you promised to marry me-" said
ono Are You going TO do i;?"
You promised to marry mo. too"
said the second Are you going 10
do !t?'
And me. too" said the third. cry
ing. How about me-
nicheson faced the three women