The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-05-21
Hysterical During Death
Watch, Clarence V. T.
Riict1eson Walks to
Chair With Firm
and Steady
Tread
UNFROCkED MINISTER
ASSURES ADVISER HE
HAS MADE ATONEMENT
Self Confessed Prisoner OF
Young Choir Singer Sobs
Like a Woman as Time
Draws Near For Him
to Pay the Penalty

BOSTON, MASS, May 2t.-ClAF.
ence v. Il. Richcson has paid the pom
ally for the murder OF Avis I1nncN.
The former Clergyman was elecfro~
cuted at 12:f1 this morning, In tho
Chariestown State prison.
The condemned man went to the
electric chair with more firmness and
courage than had been expected by
those who had observed him for the
past few weeks. He had spent his lass
hours in seeking spiritual CONSOLATION
In the Bibte, and in conversation with
bis spiritu 4. advisers, who were in al Y.
most const~nt attendance up to tho
last moment.
The current was turned on &C
f2:Io:02. Richardson was pronune-
ed dead at 1919.
The man who gave the poisson to
poor Avis Linnell, in order that he
might be free to wed Miss Violet Ea-
rnands. an heiress. bore himself calnf-
iy under the influence OF religious
guidance during the last hours of his
dcaii, watch. Before, however. he
N9d wept and prayed that Governor
r oss would relent. and pltaded thar
hs urght to be permitted to spoasi
his l.fe In prison, rather than die In
the. chair.
Richeson ate heartily yesterday ana
To-Day Iii tire evening he sar9
hyr.sx. one OF Them being Some
Time Wen Understand
Leaves All TO Ffance.
Once he stopped singing to ask MS
spiritual adviser to see that "wiii'
matte by him. was carried out, IN
this will he left ali his personal be-
ionrfngs to Miss Ednands, who -
now SUM worker in New York.
After finishing a song, Richeson
would bury his face In his hands, ana
sob Hike q babp.
1T can't--it ought not to be done.
he exclaimed during one outburst-
Early this evening. Chaplain Steh-
hirs. after leaving the condemned man.
said:
eRicheson is wholly resigned to mis-
fate. He has made what peace he en-
with his Maker. during his last hours.
and deep down In my heart, feel tnaxt
he viii face that Final Court truIy
penitent. and with full realization q
his terrible crime
- uf3,e ~ back In the fold. and with M
malice or criticism in his heart for any.
one picheson will RIO to tire chair r. a
man who knows, and Ii glad, IN spits
~ tine dreadfuIness of IT. OF the cp~
portunity to face his maker.
The chaplain did not tell. however
~ fire r.rye- wrackng experiences NJ
ana DR.. Johnson had with the COZ
eernned man before they succeeded u
having him resign hinnsaif g nv -
Am. n.hs,, fhev had reminded him
-. 10 was once a minister, and ougnr
s,,uuv a sublime faith In the he1 -
sl,fssa Ss,s -sffess sssss vi sss "a
,,.,ss ready 10 face the ordeal o. ~
.sayy without fiinching. Before thi@
he had exclaimed. ut Is terriDse 81. %
cannot stand IL. They VIII i q
carry me. - y.e,y,e1 IN,
,aLs me attitude that II was his OUT
~. t,,s church to be brave. Under thc
,nf,uenee OF that attitude he pore ~
ras,,arkah,,. well. although there Wck88s
ner,o,s when outbreaks occurred
prays and Sings Hymns
throughout all Of yesteTual ~ -.
snn either prayed. sang nStu'r' = 80
s.ttsS v,solms In the evening ne
,'. 80, -n,na broth. AT 10 o'clock. to-
49,, bart,er came IN 10 shave nl...s
,.,,arss held Richeson while TINS Wa
oe. Warden" asked the condemns
man while this was being oon1
what clothing viii pass 49, =
,,rdarsfand It has been affanS11
~. aneriai suit is To be placed o.
me- ~, An that -
said the warden. .,x,,. .sa9
~ would appreciate 1t very Mncn.jss
,,a.dad Richeson, If you would teks8
me walk---thsre In my regular 1900 So
ing" ,,, r,o,,sst.., - ;,ss
u,aa tha warden Richeson the
asked about the hour set for MS 49,
cution. ~ ~ Y
1T depends entirely ON yourses q
Al these words ,tears sfreame
down Richeson's cheeks. and ~
u1rtvertng tefte, said !; ( ~ ~ sSs92
Ready 10 60.
Don, be afraid OF me. There =
bs no scene. My ministers ~
taught me how to stand 4.
ready to 20 to the chair. Vow M4 e
not be afraid that anything Will IT.
pen, The sooner die. the ~
Tor myself and all concerned.
Turning to the Rev. Dr, JpMM
the prisoner then BAid:
Doctor, I am sure you N&9
forget 10 send my farewell
10 my father In Etx4ants
/ died deeply repentAnt.s anA m
faith that shalt fAco nv 1
all pentteuce. ~ + 8Si
In 4 ss6tel nes4r tn Gre
jail Was uosxlAA Mtehan1x
~ the condeHS14 n