Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1912-05-18
Condemned Murderer is Strick-
en- with Attack of HystericaI
DeIifium in Presence of
Chaplain and Counsel,
TWO GUARDS MAINTAIN
UNCEASING VIGILANCE
Prisoners Collapse Not Unex-
pected by Prison Officials
Who Have Been Surprised at
SeIf-ControI.

Se|f-ControI,
IBy Morning Journal Special Leased Wire
Boston, May 17.-Clarence V. I.
Richeson was stricken with an attack
OF hysterical delirium in the death
chamber of Charlestown state prison
tonight, while being visited by Prison
Chaplain Stebbins and his counsel,
William A Morse. Twitching and
clawing, the condemned man rolled
and tossed from side to side of his
bed, raving about two men who, he
cried out, We're watching and follow
ing him"
The attack was marked by spells of
groaning and moaning, after which
the prisoner would lapse into inter-
walls of Inconsistencies. Then he
would revive and continue his rawlings
The prison physician, who was sum
moned, could not be reached and DR.
Frederick l.. Lyons. of Charlestown,
was called, He administered seda-
tives which tended to quiet the pa
tient.
The rawlings were attributed to the
strain upon him of the constant vigil
lance of the two guards of the death
watch The guards sit close in front
of the prisoners cell and do not let
their eyes leave him for moment
during the night or day. There Is no
relaxing of the vigilance, as the
guards are changed frequently and
hlcheson has been subjected to the
strain now for more than seventy -iive
hours.
Richeson's breakdown tonight Is
believed To have been further aggrav-
ated by the news that his father had
expressed the wish that his sons body
be not brought back to Virginia for
burial hut be Inferred in some ceme-
terry about Boston.
Ii is said that Richeson begged of
his counsel Mr.. Morse, during the day
that arrangements be made so that
his body could be buried near that of
his mother In Virginia cemetery.
His weakened condition also is attri-
buted to the fact that he has not eat
en- anything since carly morning.
Richeson's attack was not entirely
unexpected by the prison officials, all
of whom have been surprised at the
self control previously shown by the
prisoner. The symptoms are regarded
as chara acteristic of those attacks to
which he is said to have leen sub
ject.
william Morse. the condemned
mans counsel, arrived just after
o'clock and went to the death house
A few minutes later a call was sent
for the prison physician, to attend the
murderer, who was moaning In his
cell and apparently In a state of col
lapse.
AS Richeson has requested that n
clergyman be always with him until
the nour of his death, Rev. Herbert
w. Stebbins, the prison chaplain, was
with him and was relieved by Rev
Herbert 5. johnson, who HIS been Sc
lected as spiritual adviser. The two
ministers will take turns in remaining
in the death house ana viii endeavor
To carry out thewishes of the prison.
er.
All day Richeson has borne up well
under the news that Governor Foss
had refused to refer his petition tor
clemency to the executive council. His
only comment on the governors ac-
ton. which was allowed to become
public. was the remark:
"As | face execution, my principal
is not for myself but for the
sorrow of my family and friends"
II was shortly before 10 o'clock this
that Richeson was Informed
OF Governor Foss' refusal to inter
vene. The Rev. Mr.. Johnson and Mr..
Morse entered the death chamber and
a few minutes later MIR. Morse in
formed his client that all hope of
com utauon was gone.
I'VE were talking in general
way Mr.. Morse said afterward. "and
there was nothing i'm the appearance
of Rich son to Indicate that he knew
Of his fate. After time ! mustered
to say to him: 'Richeson. I
have done all that lies In my power to
save you from death. hut my efforts
have been unavailing and the gov
ernor has refused positively to refer
your petition TO his council
"Richeson was standing when /
broke the news To him and aside from
q slight dropping of the head and de
iected look there was absolutely moth |
Ing Va his manner to Indicate that he |
was conscious of the fate that awaits |
him.
We spent nearly four hours in dis |
russlng matters of moment to him |
and myself. hut there was nothing in |
his manner to Indicate that he want I
I'd To take the public further into his I
confidence and | felt that he would |
maxi no further statement.
Il was astonished at the way he
took the dreadful news and ! feel I
sure that he will die as he has lived 4
during this trying ordeal-a brave
man"
when Attorney Morse left the death 4
chamber he said he had found his
client in a very critical condition. that
he was moaning constantly and ne
feared complete collapse. Mr..
Morse denied reports that he was pre-
barring "a petition for an Injunction TO
restrain Warden Bridges from execut-
ing HichesOn on the ground that GER
.ain II the alienists had found him
insane.
"a have done al that can do.
ssid Mr.. Morse. \ shall take no fur
N r steps.
After MIR Johnson and ATTORNEY
Morse had departed. chaplain Stch-
bins remained with the condemned
nan.