The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1912-05-23
'R|CHESON DIES IN
ELECTRIC CHAIR
Ex-Pastor EIectrocuted at 1910
A. M. Today.
MINISTERS ARE WITH HIM
Walks to Death Room With Firm
Step and Every Outward lndica-
ton Of CaImness and
Resignation.


Ricbeson has paid the penalty for the
| murder of Avis Linnell. The former
clergyman was electrocuted at 12:1
this morning in the Charlestown state
prison.
The condemned man walked to the
electric chair with more firmness and
courage than had been expected by
those who had observed him for the
past few weeks.
Seeks Spiritual Consolation.
He had spent his last hours in seek
ing spiritual consolation in the Bible
and in conversation with his spiritual
advisers, who were in almost constant
attendance up to the last moment.
Prison Chaplain Stebbins and Doc
tor Johnson his spiritual adviser, had
nerve-racking experience with the
condemned man before they succeed
ed in having him resign himself to
his fate.
Only when they had reminded him
that he was once a minister and ought
to show a sublime faith in the here
after did the man announce that he
was ready TO face the ordeal of legal
death without fiinching. Before this
he had exclaimed:
1T is terrible! ! cannot stand it..
They will have to carry me-
Attitude Becomes Brave.
Afterward however, he seemed to
take the attitude that 1t was his duty
to the church to be brave. Under the
influence Of that attitude he bore
up remarkably well, although there
were periods when outbreaks occurred.
Throughout all of Monday Richeson
either prayed, sang hymns or recited
psalms. In the evening he swallowed
some broth. At ten o'clock the prison
barber came in TO shave him Guards
held Richeson while this was being
done.
Richeson then asked about the hour
set for his execution.
when will II be, warden?" was his
anxious query.
1T depends entirely on yourself"
he was told.
TIcduS foT Cd'iy OSdti'
At these words tears streamed down
Richeson's cheeks and in a quivering
tone he said:
Don't be afraid of me. There will
be no scene. My ministers have
taught me how to stand it. am
ready to go to the chair. You need
not be afraid that anything will hap
pen. The sooner / die the better for
myself and all concerned"
Turning to Rev. DR.. Johnson, the
prisoner then said:
Doctor am sure you will not for
get to send my farewell message to
my father in Virginia. Tell him l died
deeply repentant and with full faith
that / shall face my Maker in all
penitence."
The solemn hour of midnight found
Richeson praying, after which he re-
cited the Twenty-third Psalm.
Il am ready now" he said.
moment later the warden APP
peared to escort him to the death
chamber, Richeson did not falter, and
walked to the chair with firm step
and every outward indication of calm
ness and resignation.
History of the Crime.
The crime for which Richeson was
electrocuted in the electric chair was
the confessed murder Of his former
sweetheart, nineteen-year-old Avis
Linnell of Hyannis, a pupil in the
New England Conservatory of Music
In Boston.
The girl stood in the way of the
minister's marriage to Miss Violet Ed
mands. society girl and heiress of
Brookline, both through an engage
ment which still existed between the
two and because of condition in
which Miss Linnell found herself.
The girl was deceived into taking a
poison given her by Richeson, which
she believed would remedy that con-
dtion, and died in her rooms at the
Young Womans Christian assoca.
ton on the evening of October IA,
1911.
Arrested at Edmands' Residence.
Rcheson was arrested at the home
of the father Of Miss Edmands in
Brookline on the morning of Octo-
Der 20.
Interest in the case was intensified
on December 20 when it became
known that Richeson had mutilated
himself in his cell at the Charles
street Jail
Richeson confessed his guilt in a
statement written by himself on Janu-
airy and given out by his counsel on
January G.