Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-05-21

WAS shaved down the mluule, three
| inches wide.
Among many letters addressed TO
! Bieheson. which were opened b. Ward
en- Bridges. today, was one which was
found 70 contain cyanide of potassium.
It was mailed from Station n. New
York City On May 10, at p. NJ. 1t con-
tanned no clue To the sender, the send
er, the powder being enclosed in a
small sub-onvelope marked Headache
powders. Analysis developed that its
contents was poison Of the same nature
as that which killed Avis Linnell.
Attorney Morse said that he had adj
Yised Warden Bridges To make public
the fact of the receipt of this powder.
Riclieson was entirely innocent of any
knowledge of its having been sent, the
attorney declared. He added that he
had every reason to believe the con-
demned man had no expectation of any
such means OF death.
Rieheson left no pubic statement.
hut his counsel William A Morse,
gave out statement Immediately aft
er the execution in which he told of the
last hours spent with the prisoner
For two bnurs." says his attorney
Il was in close conversation with
Kieieson, tonight. and lie talked very
conAdentially over all matters. He ex-
pressed to me all that he wanted done
and | shall carry out all his wishes
He was ready 10 go. brave and recon-
eileA He asked me 10 go with him 10
the electric chair and / did.
"IIe Hanted me To say to the world
that he had raid his debt and felt that
he Vas going home to God for larger
service Of life that he had failed here
but he had suffered enough to know
that he would be forgiven; that he
as glad to go and TO have apportu-
nifty for larger service in another
+ erld' :,
Rev. Herbert stebhins the prison
chaplain, preceded the condemned man
IN the march to the chair Solemnly his
deep voice rang out through the cham
Der as he read from the 5lst Psalm
Have mercy upon me, O. God, ae-
cording To thy loving Kindness ac-
cordiag unto the multitude of they
tender nercies blot out my transgres-
sions. Wash me thoroughly from mine
inequities and cleanse me from my
sins. For l acknowledge my transgres-
siens and my sins are before me-"
Then he turned to III Timothy, the first
chapter and 18th verse. Il know whom
l have believed and / am persuaded that
he is able to keep that which i have
committed unto him against that day,
As Rieheson settled himself slowly into
the electric chair and threw back his
head and closed his eyes the minister
turned to Hebrews and read: For he is
able to save them to the uttermost that
come unto God by him, seeing that he
ever liveth to make intercession for
them
Four prison guards picked up the
straps dangling from the chair of death
and quickly slipped them into place.
There was culver in every mans hand
and even the electrician twice placed the
strap over the doomed mans face be-
fore he could adjust it satisfactorily.
Throughout the entire time the former
clergyman was talking with steady voice
as he gave answer to religious questions
propounded TO him by his spiritual adj
wiser. Rev. Herbert S. johnson.
Il am willing to die" As the word
die came from his firm lips the gold
headed cane of Warden Bridges was tilt
ed slightly upward. there was crash
of a falling lever and the soul of Clar-
ence Virgil Thompson Rieheson was
hurled into eternity
The 1.-THE form of the former pas
tor surged forward. There was a
faint kissing of the electrodes. No
SOUND came from the victim. The cur
rent was kept on for one minute and
eight seconds. The man was dead the
instant of the contact
Drs. McGrath, Mclaughlin and But
Ter each in turn applied their stetho-
scopes 10 Richesons body.
At 12.17 they formally pronounced
the man dead and the body was re-
moved from the death chair and laid
upon table.
Notwithstanding the various plans
public at different times during the
past week, the final disposition of the
body is uncertain, but it is expected
| that the wishes of the dead man will
| be carried out and that he will be
! buried beside his mother in the family
| lot at Amherst Court House, Va. a
| brother. Douglas Richeson of Ccihago,
is in Boston and will doubtless take
| charge of the remains
| The execution marks the 18th at tbs
| chariestown state prison since electro
cution superseded hanging, nearly II
| years ago. In the opinion of the pris-
on officials the execution was tho mos
| satisfactory Of all.
From the moment Richeson and the
clergymen lifted their voices in SACRED
\ song as the warden and witnesses en-
i tered the chamber, until the body was
removed from the chair, there was n;
suggestion of distress, no apparent not
of sadness. AS the warden entered tn,
death cell Richeson was singing hymns
with his spiritual advisers. There wa
a pause. The warden asked: Are vol
ready?'
81 am ready replied Richeson. and h,
tcontinued on Page Twelve.)