The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-05-20
Avis LinneII's Slayer Says He Will
 Make No Scene
His Execution to Take Place Soon After Midnight To- night -.Reconcilad to.
 Doom

.. Boston, May 20.-Some time aftel midnight, tonight, life will be shock ed from the body of Rev. Clarenc, Virgil Thompson Richeson in tht electric chair at Charlestown prison Warden Bridges, in whose hands rest. sole authority as to the exact time Richeson shall be sent to answer tt the High Power for his murder ol Avis Linneu, today refused to say positively that the execution of New England's most notorious murdere, would occur in the dark hours o1 Tuesday. morning. but certain details of the grim task of taking the mans life were completed before 8 o'clock while the, man still slept. These de. tails are only attended to at the very last moment and an 11th hour re- prieve from Governor Foss or hil council is all that can now give Richeson privilege of seeing another sunrise.
 Richeson ended a day of prayer and discussion of his boyhood and ministerial days with the Rev. Her Stebbins by retiring about one o'clock this morning. He had rested but lit tie for two nights and easily dropped of to sleep. Rev. Johnson stayed with him until 2 o'clock, this morn ing. when Stebbins relieved him. Rev Stebbins himself was relieved by Dr. Johnson about rS o'clock. When he had slept soundlys all night and had not awakened before he left.
 "Richeson is wholly resigned to hi. fate," said Rev. .6tebbins. He has made what peace he can with his Maker during his last hours and deer in my heart I feel that he will face that final court truly penitent ars with. full realization of his terrible crime. He is back in the fold and with no malice nor criticism in hi. heart for anyone Richeson will ge to the chair as man who kuUw0 and ig glad, in spite of the drcadfulnesi of it, of the opportunity to face his
 But one more matter at o'clock remained to be arranged. This wal whether William A. Morse, Richesons counsel, would be permitted to De present at the execution. Besides the jury of ? witnesses for the state, two spiritual, advisers and Warden Bridges, three others, whose selection law to attend the execution. These three witnesses are selected by War den Bridges. Upon suggestion of Governor Foss, Warden Bridges has asked three instead of one newspaper man as heretofore.
 All these witnesses have been de- cided upon and the, states attorney called upon to decide whether Attor- ney Morse could be given special per- mission to attend his client until the end.
 Richeson will be shaved, tonight about 10 o'clock, by the prison bar Der. He has begged Warden Bridges to let him die in his own clothing in stead of the usual prison blue suit. Ii was thought probable the request would be granted.
 Immediately the execution is over the body will be taken to the prison morgue where Medical Examiner Nc Grath will claim it and have it taken to the city morgue in an undertaken private conveyance, There the re- Richeson, the prisoners brother, who is stopping at a local hotel.
 It was contrary. to the expectations and plans that Richeson was not executed between midnight and sufa- rise, this morning. Because he had completely recovered his composure following his hysterical attack, Fri
 
 10 o'clock. last night, to give him another day. To his repeated ques- ton:
 When will it be, warden?" Riche- son was told it would depend entirely on him. He understood instantly and though his voice slightly broke and the tears streamed down his cheeks,
 Don't be afraid of me. There will be no scene. My ministers have taught me how to stand it."
 It was this that decided the war den to postpone the affair until some time after midnight, tonight. The one detail in this connection still to be decided is whether the usual pro- of the court some time between mid night and 2:30, o'clock would be fol. lowed out. There was chance that some time between o'clock and 4:3O would be chosen.
 Richeson, today. eagerly greeted several visitors who called upon him. His two spiritual advisers, Drs. John- son and Stebbins, Rev. J. J. Murphy, the Catholic prison chaplain, Joseph I. Mclaughlin, the prison doctor, and Deputy Warden Michael J. Murphy were his callers.
 The prisoner lay half dressed on his cot in the poorly lighted death cell Except for his two constant compan- ions, Johnson and Stebbins, his "death watch" the others stayed only a few minutes Before leaving Father Mur- phy urged the former minister to make his final peace with God When visited by Warden Bridges, this morn- ing, Richeson was several times on the verge of asking if his execution, tonight, is certain, but checked him. self as though loath to confirm what to him is already q certainty. On one occasion he expressed his gratitude to the two ciergymen who are attend ing him during his last hours of life. From Richeson's attitude at present it is certain he will go to his death calm and unflinching. He is now re. signed to his fate and ready to start on the short march which will end at the electric chair--and death.