The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-05-21

water while beside her was a fresh
change of clothing. The autopsy re-
vealed the fact that she had taken a
dose of poison and the conclusion was
drawn that she had done so in the
innocent belief that it would remedy
a condition that later would be a
cause of great embarrassment.
On the day following the girls death
Rev. Mr.. Richeson preached what was
to be his last sermon in the Cambridge
church, and in his prayer referred
briefly to the death of a near friend
That afternoon, dining with member
of his parish in Somerville, he was able
to eat but little and spent much time
on a couch in apparent mental misery.
He explained that he was overcome by
the recent death of a dear friend. !"
That night he went to the home Oh
Moses Grant Esdmands in Brookline
father of the girl to whom he was TO
be married week or so later ard
there remained in seclusion through the
next few days preceding his arrest.
Scores of police and newspaper men
took up the mystery of the death OF
Avis I4innell It seemed apparent at
the outset that the belief in a suicide
theory was one which the murderer had
planned to foster Given the crime and
the reason for it the next step was
to find the man responsible for the con
dition of the victim. The police hac
not far to seek and the newspapers
made no pretense at mystery in direct
ing their suspicious. The girl had but
one sweetheart and she made no con-
cealment of her affection for Richeson
Evidence Accumulates.
In weeks time material evidence
began to accumulate. A woman de-
clared that Richeson had telephoned
from her home making an appointment
for the afternoon of October IA with
someone at the Young Woman's Chris
ton association rooms. Richeson's land
lady admitted her boarder had re-
turned a bJwl to her with the remark
that she had better wash it thoroughly
as it had been used to mix paste which
had contained poison. The most dam
aging evidence, however, came from
William Hahn, a druggist of Newton
Centre and a friend of Richeson. Ac
cording to Hahn Richeson came to him
four days before the Linnell girl died
and bought a considerable quantity of
cyanide of potassium, explaining that
he wanted it ''to kill a dog which was
about to have puppies" A Cambridge
confectioner told of Richeson coming
to his store on the afternoon Miss Lin
nell died and purchasing a peculiar
shaped jar of candy, identical with
jar found in Miss Linnells room. The
had taken a Boston bound
car in front of the candy store.
woman came to the police and told of
eating together in restaurant on the
same afternoon AS result of this
the police felt warranted i'll
taking definite action.
The evening of October 10 Chief In
spector Dugan and members of his
force went to the home of Mr.. Ed
mands on Devon street, in Brookline
to arrest Rev. Mr.. Richeson on the sus-
picion that he was guilty of murder.
Admission to the house was denied al
though the hour was early. The police
had no search warrant and did not feel
justified in breaking into the magnifl-
cent residence upon the uncertainty of
Richeson being inside. They therefore
remained on guard through the nighi
frequently knocking upon doors and
windows and calling upon the occu-
pants to open and admit the officers.
Police Are Admitted.
The weary vigil was kept up until
da ylight when al maid who appeared in
the kitchen was prevailed upon to mott
fly Mr.. Edmands that the officers were
and would break in if the door
was not opened at once. At Z o'clock |
the police were admitted. Richeson
was found in bed He was ordered to
1ress and accompany the officers. Be
fore leaving the house he took in his |
arms Miss Violet Edmands, who was |
weeping Historically. DO not worry, |
ne said, everything will come out all |
light The minister came out of the |
house in the murky dawn, passing be- |
tween two rows of police. newspaper
men, and curious neighbors and was |
aiken to police headquarters in Bos-
on in a taxicab to be arraigned
The case was set for October 81 for
/ hearing and Richeson was commit
ed to the Charles street Jail without
12i1. Within a few days the wedding
of the minister and Miss
summoning the guests to
he Edmands home on October 81,
we're recalled.
Before the day of the hearing ar
lived a special session of the grand
ury was called and an indictment
harging murder in five counts was
ound- Richeson was taken into
curt to plead to the charge of muir T
Ter on the day he was to have been
married to Miss Edmands, The trial
# the case was set for January Is.
Richeson had early written to his
hurch asking that judgment be sus-
'ended until after the grand jury sit
ing. On November / he forwarded |
lis resignation, but the church on
November 6, after a stormy meeting |
efused to accept it. Later a second |
epted on November "a.
The police had even at this time far
rom a satisfactory case against Richie
on The container of the poison
which Miss Linnen had taken could
ial or box might have been left in |