The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1912-05-21

LILO c nee R. TUESD.
speak more truly. a deep religious
faith.
Used No opl.tea
The second erroneous Impression
which I wish to correct 10 that his
courage VAS buoyed up through
opiaies and medicine. Not once since
he entered the state prison AZ Charles
town did he take a single drop OF
medicine OF any kind. spoke 10 him
today on this point and also to DR..
Mclaughlin. the prison physician.
have received a number OF letters
and kilograms from attorneys and
others during the past week which
stated that Mr.. Richeson should an
peal his case TO the supreme court.
wish to say to these ATTORNEYS ana
10 all other persons who feel that
further legal steps should have been
taken. that Mr.. Richeson himself
vetoed any such proposition.
am uttering no complaint and
no criticism whatsoever when I saw
that my opinion has grown constant
ly that Mr.. Richeson was not n
normal man. For the past two DAYS
have spent hours in talking with
him about the minutest details OF his
crime. think that no man who
could know his opinion and have
heard his statement concerning the
crime could escape the deep convict
ion that II this man was not insane
he was on the border line OF in.
sanity"
Dramatic Movements.
Richeson's last moments were
dramatic.
Would you like to confess Christ
before these witnesses as your saw.
ior?" asked Rev. Johnson.
Il confess Christ as my savior"
came the answer firmly.
Does Christ give you the strength
you need in this hour"
Christ gives me the strength !
need
Have you the strength to meet
DEATH"
Il have. God will take care Of nv
soul. and | pray for ALL"
DO you here repent OF your sin?'
q do"
DO you forgive everybody"
Il forgive everybody"
Are you willing to die for Jesus
sake?"
IL am willing to die"
As the word die" came from the
man in the chair. the gold headed
cane Of Warden Bridges was tilted
slightly upward. there was a crash
OF a falling lever and Richeson was
no more.
The 1.-THE form OF the former pastor
surged forward in the great leather
thongs, but no sound came from the
throat OF the victim.
The current was kept on for one
minute and eight seconds. The man
was dead the instant OF the contact.
which was made at ten minutes and
two seconds after midnight.
After the electric wires were dis
connected from the chair. the three
physicians. Drs. McGrath, McLaugh-
lin and Butler. declared the victim
dead.
It is expected the wishes OF the
dead man will be carried out and
that he will be buried beside his
mother in the family lot in Virginia.
A brother. Douglas Richeson. OF Chi
cago. Is in Boston TO take charge OF
the remains.
When Richeson was sentenced to
die. every effort was made by his
counsel TO save him from the death
chair. Gov. Foss being appealed to.
Upon receiving Richeson's petition.
Governor Foss Immediately called
upon Or. l.. Vernon Briggs. as an in
sanity expert. to examine the prisoner
Later Doctors Edward r. Lane and
DR.. isidor II. Coriat. acting for the
defense. filed reports finding that
Richeson was insane.
Sanity Inquiry.
The governor on May II formally
appointed as an insanity commission
for the commonwealth DR.. Henry r.
Stedman. Dr. Leo T. futile and DR..
Henry z. Frost
The commissions report in effect
declared Richeson sane. although SUI
iering at times from emotional dis
turbances.
Governor Foss accordingly issued A
statement saying he found no reason
Tor referring the case 10 his council.
which has the sole right OF commuta-
ton OF sentence. and announced that
he would not recommend executive
clemency.
The condemned man was removed
d from the Charles street Jail 20 tho
death chamber in the CharIestown
state prison on May 10. on Friday
night last. after he had been informed
OF the governors decision. Richeson
collapsed. At times he raved against
Two men who we're watching and fol.
lowing him. doubtless referring 10 tho
two guards forming bis death watch
The prison physician administered
sedatives and the prisoner felf into a
sleep FOR "a hours
From that time until his execution
Richeson appeared resigned 10 his
fate
Those AZ Execution.
The list Of those appointed IN az.
tend The execution Of Richcson. given
ou' BY the warden this evening In.
cludcs besides the three phvsiclanz
Who are official witnesses. Rev. Robt
;. Johnson. tho prisoners spiritual
adviser. Edmund g. Kelley. deputy
sheriff OF Suffolk county. and one ron
resontaiive for each 81 three press
associations. The three medical wit.