Norwich bulletin., 1912-05-18

received the news that he probably had less than 100 hours to live. He aWak- ened early in the morning after troubled sleep. As one of the guards said: He slept as well as you could expect of one in his position"
 After breakfast he read his bible for awhile occasionally exchanging few words with his guards. He did not ask if the governor. had rendered any de- cision in the matter of referring the case to the executive council and the guards avoided making any reference to the subject Early in the forenoon Warden N. D. Allen and Captain H, W, Stebbins visited the death cham Der, MT. Stebbins remaining with the condemned man the greater part of the day,
 News Broken by Lawyer Morse.
 Soon after nine o'clock Rev. Her bert $. Johnson, Richesons spiritual adviser, arrived at the prison in his automobile. Attorney Morse, reached the institution a few minutes later and he and MT. Johnson conferred for some time in the warden's office be- fore going to the death house, It was at this conference that the pastor and lawyer decided upon the manner in which Richeson should be informed of his fate At 9.45 Rev. MT. Johnson and Attorney Morse entered the death chamber and a few minutes later MT. Morse informed his client that all hope of communication of the death sentence was gone.
 Displayed Scarcely Any Emotion.
 "We were talking in a general way" MT. Morse said afterward, "and there |, ,,F Richeson to indicate that he knew of his fate, After a time I mustered courage to say to him Richeson, I have done all that lies in my power to save you from death but my efforts have been unaVajling and the govern or has refused positively to refer your petition to his counsel Richeson was standing when l broke the news to him and aside from a slight dropping of the head and dejeCted look that took possession of his face, there was abso- lutely nothing in his manner to indi- cate that he was conscious of the fate that awaits him
 Probably No Further Statement. @'We spent nearly four hours in dis cussing many matters of moment to him and myself but there was nothing in his manner to indicate that he wanted to take the public further in- to his confidence and l feel that he VIII not make any further statement. As to my actions, I have come to full stop as there is no appeal left that would bear fruit and l fear that Rich eson will have to undergo his sentence.
 T was astonished at the way he took the dreadful news, and l feel sure that he will die as he has lived during this trying ordeal, a brave man"
 Signed Statement Prepared.
 Before either Rev. Mir. Johnson or Attorney Morse left the death house the minister prepared a signed state nent which he submitted to RichesOn and to the lawyer. After the clergy man had emerged into the sunlight from behind the WindoWlesS wall where the murderer is confined he was sur rounded By a group of waiting news papermen. To them MT. Johnson ex- plained that his position as Richeson's spiritual adviser precluded him from ssylng much concerning what trans pired in the death house. He said that he understood what interest press and public were taking in the case and then he read the statement that he had prepared in Richeson's chamber This statement, which Mr. Johnson re- quested should bear his signature, fol- lows.
 Rev. Mir. Johnson's Statement.
 In company with MT. William A. Morseg 1 visited Mir Richeson this morning at a quarter before 10 o'clock. Mir Morse after few minutes con yersation stated frankly to him that the governor had decided not to inter- fere with the execution of the sen tence pronounced by the court
 He then read to Mir. Richeson from one of the newspapers the full state ment of the governor
 MT RicheSOn received the com munication from MT. Morse with the same spirit of fortitude which he has exhibited from the beginning He did not collapse in any way, but through out the trying ordeal showed the re markable courage which all along has been the occasion of astonishment to me.
 "I1e stated to us that his principal thought as he faced execution was not for himself but for the sorrow of his family and friends.
 (Signed)
 HERBERT $. JOHNSON" Execution Probably Tuesday Morning. 1 The fact that Richeson was not without a visitor during the day or i the evening led to the belief that those 1 Who are ministering to him intend to 1 have some one with him constantly in ordef that he may not have an op- ! poftunlty to collapse under the weight : or ms meditations. While Warden B. [ r. Bridges may order the execution 1 any time after midnight on Saturday the law providing that it shall take 1 place between midnight and sunrise ii ] IS believed that it will be held imme- 1 diately after midnight Tuesday morn ing. The law provides that the hour l of execution be kept secret, and War den Bridges, therefore, will make nc statement regarding its probable time
 Only One Monday Execution.
 But one of the thirteen who have been electrocuted at Charlestown has met death on a Monday morning. while ten of the number have been taken tc 1 the chair on Tuesday morning The l other two were executed on F'riday l mornings.
 There is a prevalent sentiment against Monday morning execution | as occurring so close after Sunday 1 which has been recognized by the war den Of the prison The only exceDtior was caused by the highly nervous statt 9f the condemned, and it is probable that only similar situation would cause the execution of Richeson or Monday morning
 Remains Will Be Buried Near Boston
 It is understood here that none ot Richesen's family will come fram Vir- ! tf1Il I'm ,f hi, c-