Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-05-20

peace Wlin cod / am resigned TO III.
fate. | wish now TO go TO my death a
soon as possible. the quicker the bet
ter"
These words spoken by Clarence V
r. Rieheson, former Baptist ministe
and the confessed slayer of Avis Lin
nell to Herbert s. Johnson, his spirit
nal adviser, today, expressed the men
tai condition of the condemned maj
whose tenure of life is now measured
only by hours.
There is much reason to believe tina
he viii go to his death in the eleetri'
chair shortly after midnight. Monday
night
Reclining on cot in his death eel
Richeson talked long and earnestly
with Rev Mr.. Johnson and with thu
Nrrison chaplain, Rev Herbert w
Stebbins.
Il do not want to sleep. l have so lit
tie time to live and SO much I want t.
say that / must talk he said.
Part of the conversation was of 6
religious nature. and part was remin
essences. The prisoner reviewed count,
less Incidents Of his boyhood in Virgin
ia; his college days at Liberty. Mo.
furnished further topics of converse
ton. as did also his experience at tbs
Newton Theological Institution and il
his various pastorates.
When the hour of execution arrives
Rev. Herbert s. Johnson, as his spirit
nal adviser, will procede him in Tho
short walk from the death cell to th'
electric chair. Three physicians-th,
prison physician, the medical examiner
Of the county and the surgeon genera
cf the commonwealth will attend as
the legal witnesses The prison chap
lain, Rev Herbert w. Stebbins as an
officer of the prison and a friend o.
the condemned man, is entitled to at
tend. Besides this there may be three
witnesses designated by the warden
An appeal having been made to Gov
Floss by many press associations fol
representation at the execution. the
warden decided to accede to the
wishes Of the Governor and will prob
ably name as the three other witnesses
representatives of three press organ
izations. Late, yesterday it was learn
I'd that Richeson had requested thai
his counsel. William A. Morse. be pres
ent at :he execution, but the warder
was compelled to deny the request ow-
ing to the fact that the number of wit
nesses permitted by law had all beer
arranged for.
Surgeons and medical societies. Gag
| er TO gain some new knowledge from
| the post norton examination of the
Unusual subject have applied for the
brain and spinal cord of the victim
| of the death chair but these will al
| be refused.
| Richeson was deeply pleased wher
told. today, that his father had prom
Used his body should lie beside that ot
his mother in the family lot on Richie
son mountain in Amherst Court House
Virginia.
| Between Chaplain Stebhens and Rev
| Mr. Johnson. Richesou has not beer
without religious adviser at any
| time since he received, on Friday, tn,
announcement that there was no hope
of his escaping the electric chair
While Mr.. Johnson is with the prison
err. Chaplain Stebbins is making tn
best of brief opportunity for sleep
ing; and the chaplain is Richeson'
companion and counsellor while MI
johnson is seeking rest.
| During the early part of the day MI
johnson and Richeson had a long an,
earnest talk on religious matters. TIL
minister asked Richeson what passag
of the Bible pleased him most an
Richeson recited the twentythir
Psalm.
After reciting the Psalm said Nh
lJohnson. "Richeson gave a most beau
tiful exposition of it plying the truth
of il to his own experiences and hi
lown life other portions of the Scrip
lture that he repeated were the entir
91st Psalm. the 27th Psalm and tn
IS6th Psalm"
But the greatest condemned ma
found in the Bible according to Nj
johnson was the 18th verse of the %
chapter of Revelations. land let hir
that is athirst come; whosoeyer will
let him take the water of life freely.
This passage he repeated to himse
iagain and again. occasionally elabor
Z ating on the text. The twelfth vers
lof the 9th Psalm he frequently re
lpeated, apparently believing that {
all the Scriptural quotations this migf
most appropriately apply to his ease
l"Deliver me not over unto the will {
mine enemies; for false witnesses al
arisen up against me, and such q
breathe out cruelty"
"Richeson is man of great talent
said Mr. Johnson after leaving the dea
} cell. today. "Iie talked at length of u
great spiritual truths which religit
holds and which have been revealed un
linen. He is in a calm frame of mind al
/ feel that he will meet death conrag
ously and like Christian man. lie h