Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1912-05-24

zsNkN-oEmocRAT, MARTlNseURe,
ial moment in his suit Of Miss Ed
mand's hand, seemed in a fair way to
ruin his chances and her elimination
a necessity.
These discoveries, the statement OF
the druggist and the growing cloud of
suspicion that wove its veil around
him, finally eliminating III the accept
ance OF his resignation by the mem
beers OF his pastorate, drove Richeson
10 desperation. He lost his air of
sang froid because thin and haggared
and on December 20 a9idenced his
dependency by an attempt upon his
life in the Charles Street jail.
This failing, the knowledge Of his
guilt drove him to confession, and on
January he astonished he world by
admitting his guilt and praying for a
speedy trial He was arraigned on
January 9 and sentenced to death in
the electric chair during the week of
May 49,
With the open admission of his guilt
and the proclamation of his contrition,
public sentiment underwent partial
reyerson and spirited attempt was
made by his friends to secure commu-
tation of the death sentence. Thou
sands of names were secured to petit
lions asking for clemencv and a quiet
but powerful campaign was started for
the imposition Of life sentence in
stead OF death in the elec ric chair.
The pleas Of his relatives and
friends. however, proved futile, Gov
ernor Foss refusing to sanction his es-
cape from the death penalty in the
face of such atrocity.
Richeson's Confession.
On January 6, Richeson gave out
the following confession
Gentlemen: Deeply penitent for my
sin. and earnestly desiring, as far as
in my power lies, to make atonement,
hereby confess that | am guilty of
the offense of which | stand indicted.
q am moved to this course by no
inducement of self benefit or leniency.
Heinous as is my crime, God has not
wholly abandoned me, and my con-
science and manhood, however, de-
PRAYED and blighted, VII not admit Of
my still wronging by a public trial,
her. whose pure young life | have de-
stroyed.
Under the lashings OF remorse |
have suffered, and am suffering, the
torture of the damned In this ! find
measure of comfort
"In my mental anguish recognize
/ that there is still of the mercy of the
Master some remnant of Divine spark
of goodness still lingering with me.
could wish to live only because with
in some prison wall I might in some
small manner redeem my sinful past,
help some other despalring soul, and
at last find favor with my God"
CLARENCE V. T. RICHESON."
Richeson's Brain Said to Be Normal.
Boston. Mass. Ma 22.-Dcctor
George b. McGrath, Medical Exam
iner of Suffolk COUNT performed
an autopsy required by law, and de
clared that Richeson's brain was nor
NAL Douglas Richeson of Chicago,
brother of the dead man, was undecid-
ed regarding the disposition of the re-
mains, and the matter probably will
be settled today.
1t was the understanding previous
/ to the execution, that the body would
be taken to Richeson's boyhood home
in Virginia 20: burial. but circumstan-
I ces arose which prevented the plan
J from being carried out.
The Rev Herbert 5. johnson, who,
as spiritual advisor, accompanied Rich
eson to the electric chair, issued a
statement explaining that certain ques
tons were asked the condemned man
as he was being strapped in the chair
for the purpose Of taking Richeson's
mind off his ordeal and to meet Richie
sons wish to leave some religious tes-
timony for the witnesses. Mr.. John
sons statement, in part, was as fol
lows:
Plan of the Warden
THE warden said that he wished I
could make the man talk from the
death chair, as that would take his
thoughts off himself, and his passing
could occur without 4 period of dis
tressing suspense. The warden explain
ed to me how he would give the sig
nal for the application of the current
when his breath was exhaled. He
also requested me, so tar as possible,