Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-01-08

StauncheSt supporters 10 vote aSdiilS'
acceptance on account of their bellef
in the truth of his statement.
Richeson's confession as made pup
Tic. yesterday. was bare of detail 1t
is understood, however, that ne am
plified this greatly in conversation ana
that the district attorney is now IN
possession of most of the information
which has come to the defence.
| While no person can be quoted as
responsible for it, the statement IS
made on high authority that Richie
sons amplifed confession to his coun-
sci corresponds closely to the follow
ing;
! After purchasing a quantity OF cy-
anide of potassium from William
Hahn a Newton Center druggist, on
Oct /. the minister took the poison
70 his rooms in Cambridge. a rev
Idays later he borrowed from Mrs.
Frank H. Carter in whose home he
was a lodger, an earthenware mixing
howl TO make some book paste.
Returning the bowl to Mrs. Garter,
an hour or two later, he warned her
10 he sure and wash it out thorough
Nv saving. Il have been mixing pol
SON IN it." 1t was in this bowl, and
ut this time. that the minister con-
roeted the capsule formed by mixing
the cyanide of potassium with Hour
and wafer, which ultimately caused
Miss i,innelrs death. This was
Thursday, oct. IL.
On Saturday, Oct. II. Richeson met his
ope-time fance. who still believed herself
his sweetheart, in iron of the Hotel
EqllnwinG
their custom. the couple walked for a
little while and then went into Boylston
street cafe Here they had luncheon
following which they took another Walk
this time to the Fenway. 1t was while
seated on secluded bench in the park,
after the girl had again told him OF hef
worry over her physical condition, saying
she feared ii was becoming apparent TO
her friends, and once more entreated nm
to procure some remedy for her. that the
minister handed the girl the capsule. lie
treasured her. declaring it was a medi-
cine which would certainly act in the
manner desired. He directed he as to
the manner of taking 1t and then the
pair walked TO the ear line.
Richeson boarded q trolley car for
Brookline. going to the home of Miss
Violet Edmands, a Brooklyn heiress, his
engagement TO marry whom two weeks
ahead prompted his act to rid himself OF
his other sweetheart.
This, in substance, is Richeson's ampli-
fed confession. Circumstances closely
allied fill it out as follows:
Miss Linnel, trusting in the man, has
tened to her room in the lodging house
af N AVnpoa0tS Christian SSO-
citation on Warrenton street Meeting
here Miss Zeigler Avis said she had been
walking with her friend (whom Miss
Zeigler had always understood as Mr..
Richeson) and complained of headache
as her excuse for hurrying to her room.
A few hours later she was found un-
conscious in her bathroom, and expired
without regaining consciousness.
The girl left no trace of the poison.
But the fact that she had her feet in
hot water and that she had placed a
fresh change of clothing by her side
served, a day or two later, to con-
firm the medical examiner in the be-
lief that the case was not one OF
suicide
The temptations of life and the les
sons to be learned from the Richeson
case We're referred to in number
of Boston pulpits. today.
Rev. Herbert S. Johnson, during the
course of his sermon on The Race of
Life" at the Warren Avenue Baptist
church, said; I'VE have it in our pow
er To destroy forever that plan of
God for us. which fills all eternity,
Just as did that young Baptist min
lister who, today, stands in the shad-
ow death. When we think of him and
OF that snow-covered grave in Hyan
mis- can we doubt that life's meaning
is deep and tragic and terrible.
IL his prayer. Rev Mr.. Johnson
spoke of Rev. Mr. Richeson as 'one
Handicapped in life's race with an
extra heavy burden of temptation and
one who fell to greater depths be-
cause he fell from a high elevation"
He was glad the minister had received
the Divine prompting to confess and
prayed that the people take warning
and instruction from his mishap.
Attorney John L. Lee of Virginia, OF
the counsel for Rev. C. V. T. Richeson.
returning, tonight, from day spent at
Rye Beach. y. H, was very reticent
about discussing the procedure of the
case outside of admitting that he eX
pected Mir. Iticheson to appear in court
tomorrow, and to plead guilty to murder
The attorney did intimate. however
that sentence might not possibly be pro-
nounced, tomorrow, even should the min
lister enter his plea at that time From
other conversation, particularly reference
TO many pertinent cases. the attorney
made it apparent that counsel would
eventually go to the governor for COM
mutation of sentence on the ground that
Rev. Mr. Rieheson was not mentally re-
sponsible for his act.
Various instances We're cited in which
men sentenced to death had their sem
tence commuted on the ground OF insan-
ity because they showed abnormal traits,
a number of cases not dissimlar to that
Of Richeson.
He also showed an interest in vagi-
Gus published interviews with govern
ment prosecutors, regarding the sem
tence and possible communication of the
sentence. expressing much gratifica-
ton when told that apparently ma
Jority of the Governors Council as
well as the governor seemed opposed