The Mena weekly star. (Mena, Ark.) 1904-1977, 1912-05-23
R|CHESON BRACED
UP AT THE END
Pastor who Betrayed and Murdered
Choir Singer, Pays Penalty
BROTHER Willing to See Him, but
Richeson Feared Meeting.

misshapen corpse of Clarence Y. t
Rieheson, former Baptist minister
who was electrocuted a few min
ntes after midnight for the MUIR
der of Avis Linnell, was claimed by
the dead mans brother, Douglas,
and will probably be taken to Am
berst Courthouse, Virginia, for
burial. The mother of Richeson is
hurled at Amherst, and the con-
demned man had expressed a wish
that his body might be near that
of his mother.
Meets Death Calmly.
Richeson surprised his spiritual
advisers, the prison attendants
and the witnesses in the calm man
ner in which he went to his death.
He was called a few minutes af-
ter i2 o'clock, and strobe resolutely
TO the death chamber. He kept his
eyes fixed straight ahead, looking
neither to the right nor left Seat
ed in the chair, he allowed his eye
lids to drop and kept them closed
until he died, the electric current
not even causing them to open.
The condemned man ate heartily
during the early part Of yesterday
and spent most of the evening sing
ing and praying. His favorite
hymn seemed Sometime Wen I'm
derstand. Rieheson asked his
spiritual advisers to see lhat a will
he executed was faithfully carried
out. La TINS lnsirument. Rich son
bequealhed ali his belongings to
Miss Violet admonds, who is now
doing religious work in the slums
Of New York.
ST times yesterday Richeson MAS
Vercone by melancholy. and sud-
denly eeasing to sing, he would
bury his face in his hands and cry
out. One time he exclaimed: st
can't. it ought not to be donew At
another time he cried out: 1t is
terrible. | can't stand it. They'll
have to carry me"
Only when his spiritual advisers
reminded him that he was once
minister and should show a sub
lime faith in the hereafter, did
Richeson become reeonciled, and by
a mighty effort force himself TO be-
come resigned.
At 10 o'clock last night the prison
barber went into Richeson's cell to
shave that part Of his head where
the electricity was to be applied.
Warden" asked Richeson while
he was under the razor, what
clothing will | pass away in. un-
derstand that it has been arranged
that special suit is to be placed
upon me"
The warden explained that it
was prison custom to clothe a con-
demned man in a new suit just be-
fore the execution, whereupon
Richeson said:
i would appreciate it very much
if you would net me walk there in
my regular clothing"
Il will consider your request"
replied the official.
There was silence for q moment,
then Richesen made another query:
When will it be, warden2" he
asked.
THAT depends entirely upon
you, was the reply.
Tears filled the condemned mans
eyes, and in a voice broken with
emotion he said.
Don't be afraid Of me. There
will be no scene. My ministry has
taught me how to stand it. / am
ready to go to the chair. The
sooner | die the better for myself
and everybody concerned
Turning to DR.. Johnson, the min
ister Richeson reminded him not
to forget TO send a message to his
father in Virginia.
Tell him. said the condemned
man, that ! died deeply 7epentant,
and with full faith that shall face
my Maker in all penitence.'
Refuses to See Brother.
Douglas Richeson expressed will
lingness to visit the murderer, but
Richeson refused TO receive him.
y can't, | can't" he cried when
told that Douglas would come to
the prison if he so desired. Doug
las had best not come here. ! could
stand it. but he might break down.
When midnight arrived, Richeson
was praying. Afterward he recited
the 23rd Psalm, then announced:
II am ready"
With a slow rain falling outside.
lhe march % The death room was
negun. Richeson walking between
br- Johnson and Rev. NJ. j. Murphy
ihe Catholic prison chaplain.
without ) iremor he walked 70
and sat ia lho electric chair. he
closed his eyes while the straps
we're being adjusted
he was asked q series q qucs-
iions by Dr. johnson. tie iasi an
s1ef being simply:
am willing lo DIE.
This ~as es 428A. The current
Aas swacood %. fiichesans body
4unerea Teen heeene rigid. Seven
minutes afiA Uef1 he eas pre-
f.s.t ..ss.4... s.. 4s4fik {sa1e