The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-05-21
RIGHESON is DEAD.
Continues fror, PAGE one.l

Then he turned to II Timothy, the
first chapter and twelfth verse, 81
know whom I have believed and am
persuaded that he is able to keep that
which 1 have committed unto Him
against that day."
AS Richeson settled himself slowly
in the electric chair and threw back
his head and closed his eyes the min
lister turned to Hebrews and read:
For he is able also 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 like tentacleS from the
chair of death and quickly slipped
them into place through their buckles.
There was a CULVER in every man s
hand and even the electrician twice
placed the face strap over the doom ed
mans face before he could adjust it
satisfactorily. Throughout the entire
ing bravely, earnestly, with full steady
voice, as he gave answer after answer
to questions propounded to him by Mr..
Johnson.
Willing to Die.
Would you like to confess Christ
before these witnesses as your sa
vior?" asked Rev. Mr.. johnson.
IT do confess Christ as my savior"
came the answer. firmly
Does Christ give you the strength
you need in this hour?"
Christ gives me the strength
need"
Have you the strength to meet
death %
ST have. God will take care of my
soul and 1 pray for ALL
do YOU here repent of your sin %
81 do
do you forgive everybody"
Il forgive everybody"
care you willing to die for Jesus
sake?"
ct am willing to die"
AS the word die came from the
lips of the man in the chair, the gold
headed cane of Warden Bridges was
tilted slightly upward. there was a
crash of a falling lever and Richescn
was no more. !
The 1.-the form of the former pas
tor surged forward in the great leath-
err thongs. but no sound came from the
throat of the victim.
The current was kept on for one
minute and eight seconds. The man
was dead the instant of the contact,
which was made at 10 minutes and ?
seconds after midnight.
After the electric wires We're dis
connected from the chair, the three
Drs. McGrath. McLaugh-
lin. and Butler. declared the victim
dead.
1. is expected the wishes of, the
dead man will be carried out and that
he will be buried beside his mother
in the family lot in Virginia. A broth
er. Douglas Richeson of Chicago, is in
Boston to take charge of the remains.
Brother Claims the Body.
Boston, May 21.-DougIas Richeson
of Chicago, brother of the former
Clarence v. T. Richeson
who paid the penalty for the murder
of Avis Linnell in the electric chair at
the state prison just after midnight
claimed the body today. Before the
body could be turned over to relatives
it was necessary for DIR. George B
Magrath, medical examiner of Suffolk
to perform the autopsy requir- |
ed by law. This he planned to do dur
ing the forenoon.
Reports that the brain and other or
gans of the executed man might be |
given to the medical institutions and
medical specialists for examination and
study, were declared untrue by DIR |
Magrath.
Richeson's body will be taken back
to his old home in Virginia if his
wishes are carried out and will |
buried in the little cemetery at Am |
herst Courthouse. The last words as |
the remains are committed to the |
grave will be said by Rev. Herbert S |
johnson of Boston, who acted as Richie !
sons spiritual adviser after he was ia |
ken to tn death house.
One of the last requests made by |
Richeson was that Mr.. johnson accom-
pany the body to Virginia Mr. John. |
son also will carry messages from the |
murderer to his relatives. /
Richeson left no will. but in conversa-
tons with Mr.. Johnson and William |
A. Morse his counsel, during the hours |
preceding his death. he gave directions |
as to the disposition of his personal |
sheets. His library Richeson left to /
clerical friends.
The execution of Richeson is said by |