Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1912-01-08
REPTILE IN HUMAN GUiSE.

REPTILE IN HUMAN GUlSE.
In a dingy cell in a Boston cell
there sits a man who has achieved
considerable publicity. His is not
fame, but the cheap not0riety which
attaches to the criminal. A few
weeks ago this same man, whose hor-
lion is now encompassed by four
steel-barred walls, clothed in clerical
garb, expounded from the pulpit the
doctrine of obedience to the laws OF
the Maker described in glowing terms
the love brother should bear to
brother, and exhorted men and wom-
e.. to live in the straight and narrow
way
There died in that town Of culture
a young lady, one of the members OF
this pastors flock. Suspicious Incl
dents in connection with her passing
away led to an investigation and it
was revealed that cyanide of potas-
SUM had been taken by the young
ovman. AS she had been an erst-
while sweetheart of the young clergy
man. he was placed under surveillance
and the police dragnet finally dis
closed enough discriminating evidence
to warrant his arrest.
The strange part of the entire pro-
cedure was that during his incarcera'
ton at the Charles street Jail, many
women and other members of Rev.
Clarence V. T. Richeson's congrega-
ton visited him while in prison, and
took him baskets of good things to
eat, magazines and books to read, and
gaily.colored flowers to brighten the
cherries interior of a convict's cell.
This in the face of strong evidence
that he was the murderer. 1t is Pc
culiar the amount of sympathy man
may evoke if he only violates some
of the greater commandments. Lit
tie attention was paid to the dead
girl, or to her memory.
A few days before Christmas the
accused divine attempted to take his
own life, thereby violating another of
Gods laws. He cut himself in a hor-
rible manner, and but for the commo-
ton he caused while floundering
around on his iron cot, thereby at
tracing the attention of the jailers,
would have succeeded in accomplish.
ing his fell purpose During the hol'
iday week there were more visitors,
more. flowers, more expressions OF
sympathy, and prayers that he would
not be punished for wrong which
he had not committed.
It was unfortunate for the good peo-
pie who were so solicitous in his be-
half, that he .hould have spoiled all
of their excellent Intentions by hand
ing to his counsel written confession
OF his guilt. He states that he has
been Suffering the tortures Of the
damned" He also is sure that there
is "some remnant of that divine spark
of goodness still lingering within aim.
1t is we'll to give him the benefit OF
the doubt and admit his belief. But
that does not bring back to earth the
fair young life which he admits he
snufed out in so cool and calculating
a manner.
Some murders are worse. than 9th
ers. There are occasions when man
is inflamed with passion, and strikes,
not intending to kill, when death will
result from the effects of his blow.
There is the murder committed by the
thief who is cornered while following
his nefarious occupation, and fights
his way to liberty. The premeditated
murder is the crime for which there
should be less conjunction felt. There
should be no mercy whatever shown
the man who, by virtue of a position
in life which gives him more or less
the complete confidence of fellow be
ings, plots the deliberate, cold-blooded
Staying Of young lady, whose glrlisn
nature reposes full trust in him and
his actions.
Rev. Clarence V. T. Richeson has
confessed to killing Miss Avis Linneli
He was indicted for murder In the
first degree. Under the laws Of Mass
= achusetts there is only one penalty
for 80 hefnous a crtme-death in the
electric chair. Winning her pure love