Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-05-19
Change Wrought by Fourteen
Hours of Sleep.
SELF-CONTROL RECLAIMED
But Another Breakdown Would Not
Surprise Attendants.
ENDS HIS THIRTY-HOUR FAST
Brother Will See Condemned Clergy
man-Body Likely to Be
Buried in Virginia.

BOSTON. May 1S.-Fourteen hours of
sound, refreshing sleep today served to
transform Clarence V. T. Richeson who
is awaiting the call to the death chair in
the Massachusetts state prison at Charles
town. from a condition of delirious hys-
terra to calmness and apparent resigna-
tion.
Reports from the death house tonight
indicated that the slayer of Avis Linnell
was regaining the remarkable composure
and selfcontrol which has been the Won
der of all who have studied him.
Prison officials. guards. physicians and
clergymen unite in declaring that the at
tack of hysteria which seized Richeson
last night was the natural reaction which
might have been expected Richeson. it
was pointed out by DR.. Joseph 1. Nc
Laughlin. the prison physician. had been
buoyed up by the hope that Gov. Foss
would refer to the executive council his
petition for a communication.
When informed yesterday that the gov
ernor had declined to refer the petition
Eicheson was dazed Later. fatigued in
brain and body, he succumbed to great
wave of hysterical emotion. But the pro-
tracted sleep which followed the hysteria
soothed him greatly. He Is still in a
highly nervous state. however, and a re-
currence of last nights outburst would
not be surprising, his attendants say.
Iron Nerve May Be Broken.
Whether the iron nerve of the man has
broken completely Under the strain can
not be determined.
He's acting just as you or 1 would be
likely to act." said Warden Bridges. IF
We were facing death. as he is. Don t
you think that we might give way under
the strain? / don't believe we would rel
ish our meals. either"
Richeson this afternoon broke a fast of
thirty hours. when he joined his spiritual
adviser. the Rev. Herbert s. johnson.
pastor of the Warren Avenue Baptist
Church, and Chaplain Stebbins in a SUBJ
stantial dinner 1t was the first food that
had passed his lips since he heard that
hope of executive clemency had been
swept away. t
Either Attorney Morse. Chaplain Steb-
bins or the Rev. Mr.. Johnson was with
Richeson will not be wholly without
members of his family on the last day or
two of his life was indicated when At
torney Morse announced that a brother
of the prisoner. Douglas l.. Richeson, Is
on his way from Chicago and would ar
rive in Boston tomorrow. He will be the
only member Of the Richeson family
who will see the murderer before his
death.
Burial in Virginia Likely.
Information today that his body would
in all probability be buried beside the
grave of his mother in the family lot in
Virginia brought consolation to Richie
son. Yesterday he was notified that his
family regarded such course as mad
visable but today Mr.. Morse brought
the news that after reconsidering the
matter arrangements were being made
for burial In the home of his boyhood.
The attorney said tonight that he had
telegraphed Virginia and had received the
following reply from Richeson's father:
Tell Clarence If 1t is his wish he
shall be buried at home. Give him my
deepest love"
Rev. Mr. Johnson obtained permission
tonight to attend the execution of the
former clergyman, who wishes him to be
present.
Application for the brain of Richeson
was made today by an official of the
Harvard Medical School, who desires to
examine 1t for abnormal features. The
request will be referred to Richeson' S
family.