The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1912-05-23
RICHESON IS TOLD
TO PREPARE TO DIE

BOSTON, MASS Special
Clarence V. Il. Richeson was told
shortly before IL O'Clock Friday
that he must die i'm the eIecJuIc
chair. The news was a fearful
shock to the murderer.
RiCheSOn had actually thought
that he would be adjudged insane
and thus would be sent TO an
asylum or would have his sem
tence commuted to ordinary life
Imprisonment.
The killer of Avis LinneH was
not prepared to hear that he must
blow.
The actual news was taken 10
RichcSOn by his spiritual adviser,
the Rev. Herbert =. johnson. Das-
tor of the Warren Avenue Baptist
Church, and by William \. Morse.
OF the RicheSon counsel.
BOSTON, MASS SpeciaI.-In
fear that he would collapse when
told that he must die i'm the cleo
trio chair for the murder of his
former sweetheart, Avis IinnelI,
two physicians were detailed 10
the CharlestOwn State prison to-
day with orders to be at hand
when the news that his last hope
OF life is gone was broken TO CLAIR
cnce V. t. Richeson.
RichcSon's last hope of escaDinr
the death chair expired last night.
when Governor FOss announced
mat he would not refer RichcsOn'
petiOOn Tor cOmmutatiOn of SEN
tence TO the Executive Council.
The statement from the Governor
followed closely the filing of the
reports of the special insanity
~ mn .-g-fC Ii
condemned man sane. although
subject TO fits of hystericaI in
sanity.
William y. Morse. Richcson's
attorney, announced early today
that sometime before night he
himself would break the news To
the former clergyman that Cover
nor toSS had refused Co intervene
To save him from the chair.
Preparations To guard against
the collapse OF the condemned
man were made upon advice of his
spiritual adviser. Rev. Herbert =.
johnson, who feared that Richie
son would be utterly Frustrated
by the news that his fate had been
finally decided and that the last
hope was gone.
Here are some OF the facts mar
rated 10y the alienists who eN-
amincd RichcSOn. made public to-
day. rs throwing light on the
strange character of the man:
"RicheSOn loves Violet Edmands.
and believes that she still loves
him. Her letters To him have been
his greatest comfort during the
days i'm Jail.
"RichcSOn declared to the alien
lists that Avis LinneH had re-
peatcdly refused To marry him.
first pleading her musical career
as an excuse. and afterwards de-
claring that she would wed him
IL he were To leave the ministry.
All thought Of marriage between
them, RichcSOn declared. was
abandoned over year before he
poisoned the girl.
"RichcSOn believes that Moses
Grant Edmands is his best friend.
"RicheSOn wanted his case 10
come up TO trial TO the very time
Of his confession. he declares. He
did not want 10 confess. Finally.
moved by the arguments of his
attorneys. he wrote a confession.
declaring that he had given the
poison to Avis. but with no intent
10 Kill her. This confession his at
torneyS tore up. he said. and wrote
another. which they persuaded
him To sign, and then give 20 the
court.
"RichesOn declared that men,
DerS of the LinncIl family were
bitterly opposed TO the idea of
Avis marrying Baptist minister.
"RicheSon. according to the
aiieniStS. had several accidents
when boy. When he was seven
he was injured in a horseback
accident.
Another time lie fell down
stairs and n bump raised. which
Is still to be seen upon his head.
Again, his brother threw a
hammer and struck him on the
head.
"RiCheSOn had. he told the
alieniSts. many faintin@ spells and
dySpcptic attacks at different
times"
IESSIAN FLY GRI, ATTN