Arizona republican., 1912-05-21
Slayer of Avis Linnell Was Electrocuted at Boston
 Prison This
 Morning
MET DEATH AT
 AN EARLY HOUR
Time for the Victims Ex- ecution is Kept Secret Almost Until the
 Last
ASSOCIATED PRESS DISPATCH

BOSTON, May 21-Clarence Y. T. Richeson confessed slayer of Avis Linnen. was electrocuted in the state prison here at l2:17 this morning.
 The current was turned on at 12:10.02 and the prisoner declared dead at I2:11 The former Baptist clergyman, confessed slayer of Avis Linneu, of Hyannis his one time sweetheart. was outWardly calm when ne entered the death chamber and maintained his cOmpOsure while the straps and electrodes were being ad- justed as he sat in the electric chair.
 He walked to the electric chair erect keeping his eyes straight ahead until he sat down. He then closed his eyes and kept them shut until the end. Seated in the chair he was asked a question by Rev. Herbert s. Johnson. In one of his answers he said: God will take care of my soul and 1 pray for all. I forgive everybody"
 The last question was: Are you Wli- ling to die for Jesus.' The reply came in am even, well modulated tone: am willing TO die"
 The current applied was 1900 volts, eight amperes. one application was sufficient.
 When the officers and witnesses en- tered the death chamber after walking through the yard in a peltng rain, they heard strain of song It was Richeson and his spiritual adviser, Johnson and Chaplain x. Stebbins. Distinctly audible were the closing words For I know what CT befall me, Jesus doeth all things well"
 RichesOn left his cell smiling. at 12:0S Before starting on the death march he shook hands with William X. Morse. his counsel. and with Chaplain Rev NJ. J Murphy, Catholic priest. who was also present.
 Then he said: I'm ready" and walked on. He was dressed plainly in a black cheviot frOck coat, white vest, turned down collar. black bow tie. gold studs in his shirt front and low black shoes brightly shned His head was shaved down the middle
 Among the many letters addressed to Richeson and opened by Warden Briggs was one mailed from Station \, New York that contained cyanide of potassium. There was no clue to the sender. the powder being enclosed in a small sub envelope, marked headache powder. Analysis showed the poison was of the same nature as that which killed Avis Linnel1.
 Attorney Morse said Richeson was innocent of any knowledge of the send ing of the poison.
 Upon receiving Richesons petition for an examination. Governor Floss Immediately called upon pr. Vernon Priggs. an insanity expert. to exam inc the prisoner. Later Dr. Edward Lane. and Dr. Isidor Coriat. acting for the defense. filed a report finding Richeson insane. The governor on May 11th appointed three physicians to act as an insanity committee for the commonwealth. Commission re- ported Richeson sane. although suf- ferng occasionally from emotional disturbances.
 The governor accordingly denied eX- ecutive clemency The condemned man was removed from the Charles Street jail to the death chamber in the Charleston state prison May IA Last fG1UdN when ItlCileSOn was III i formed of the governors decision, he | collapsed. The prison physician ad- ministered sedatives and the prisoner l fell asleep. From then until the ex- ecution he seemed resigned to his fate
 As the condemned man settled back in the electric chair and closed his eyes, Rev Herbert W. Stebbins. the prison chaplain. read from Hebrews l For he is able also to save then | to the uttermOst that come unto Goo l by Him, seeing that He ever livetf | to make intercession for them" Four prison guards picked up th' straps from the death chair anC quickly adjusted them. There was quiver in every mans hand and ever l the electrician twice placed the fac' 1 strap over the doomed mans fac'
 before he could adjust it satisfac 1 tOrily. Throughout the entire tim'
 the former clergyman was tallini
 bravely and earnestly in answer t' 1 questions propOunded by Dr. John
 son.
 Rev Herbert Johnson. after tn execution. said: If this man was no 1 insane, he was on the borderland O l insanity
 STEAMER ASHORE