The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1912-01-18
CHRONOLOGY OF
RICHESON CASE
Young Minister Met Avis Linnell
in June, 1908 Subsequent
Happenings.

June, 1e0S-Rev. Clarence ". T.
Richeson met Avis Linnell at her
home in Hyannisport, at the marriage
of her older sister to W. J. AacLean,
Of Rrockton.
Winter OVERWHELMINGLY said Miss
Linnen and Rev. Mr.. Richeson were
engaged to marry and that Miss Lin
nell was preparing her trousseau.
June, 1s10-Mr. Richeson resigned
his Hyannisport pastorate to accept
call to the Emmanuel Baptist Church
OF Cambridge.
September, 1910-Avis Linnell left
home to attend the Conservatory of
Music in Boston. and took a roem
In the Boston Young Women's Chris
tan Association.
January, 1911-Upon request of
certain members of the Cambridge
church. officials OF the Newton Theo-
logical Seminary. where Mr.. Richeson
had studied, went TO Hyannis TO in
vestigate reports OF his courtsh;p of
Miss Linnell.
March, 1911-Mrs. Linnell received
a letter from Avis, saying her engage
ment to Mr.. Richeson had been
broken at his request. In the same
month the family of Moses Grant Ed
mands, Of Brookline, announced the
engagement OF Miss Violet Edmands
TO Mr.. Richeson.
October 6, 1911-Avis was heard
holding telephone conversation with
unknown person in which she made
engagement for Saturday afternoon.
October IA, 1911-Avis was found
unconscious in bath room at Young
Women's Christian Association dormi-
tory, with feet Immersed in hot water
ana expired without making state
ment. RicheSon, informed over tele-
phone of her death. expressed sur
prise at being told, and suggested that
her brother-in-law at BrOckton be no.
vol INx-sav In. I
rived and found that death was due
TO poisoning by cyanide of potassium
october 15th-In his sermon Mr.
kicheson referred to the death OF a
beautiful girl friend. Autopsy reveal
ed the condition of the unfortunate
girl and suggested a possible motive
for a crime.
October 16th-Mr. Richeson went
into seclusion at the Edmands home
in Brookline. The following day he
consulted his attorney.
October l9th-Druggist William II.
Hahn, of Newton, informed authori-
ties Of the purchase of cyanide OF
potassium by the clergyman on Oc-
tober 10th. on the assertion that he
wished to kill a dog.
October 20th-Mr. Richeson was
arrested at 1885 A. NJ. after the Ed
mands house had been surrounded by
police all night. Druggist Hahn, at
the police headquarters. repeated his
accusations in the presence of the
minister. Mr.. Richeson was removed
TO the Charles Street Jail.
October 31st-Mr. Richeson was ar
raigned on a charge of murder in the
hrst degree, on the day he was to
have wed Miss Edmands. He was
held without bail.
November 26th-He resigned as
pastor of the Emmanuel Baptist
Church, Cambridge.
December 20th-Mr. Richeson mu-
ulated himself severely in his Jail cell
and was removed to the infirmary of
the institution for further treatment.
Later he was returned to his cell
December 25th-He had so far re-
covered from his wound as to be able
to eat a Christmas dinner and the
physicians said he would be ready for
trial on January 18th.
January 6. 1912-He confessed to
his part in causing the death of Miss
Linnell.