New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-05-16
R|CHES0N'S STO|CISM
PUZZLES DEATH WATCH
Confinement in Prison Cell Fails
10 Shake Nerve of Murderer,
Emotional by Nature.
WANTS RELIGIOUS BOOKS
prisoner Finds Comfort in Read
ing as He Awaits Report
of Alienists-Women
Write to Him.

poston. May lj.-No inmate OF Charles
.orr state prison gave Warden Bridges
= trolble to-day then did Clarence V. T.
o.,boson. poisoncr Of Miss Avis Linncl.
IN the time Of his removal yesterday
.o,, the Charles street jail to the death
torss IN the prison the former Clergyman.
,rho Is under sentence TO be olectrocuted
,,s,t week. has Submitted TO the riEor of
a,ison discipline with perfect composure.
In view OF the TACT that Richeson is
,,rovn 10 he of a highly emotional nature
his self-possession is a puzzle TO his guards
.Dd the authorities. As the reports Of the
oVenists employed by Governor Foss have
NOT been fled and his case has not been
...h,,ittcd 10 the Executive Council, those
nno are watching the prisoner believe he
-,av still hold hope OF rcprievc or commu-
,a,jon. Again he may have become re
.igped IN his fate and be ready TO die IN
eyniation Of his crime. Which view is sus-
aiming him IS question no one seems
able TO answer
Reads Books on Religion.
pichsson.s stay al Charlestown thus far
tss been marked b. a sphinX-hke silence
,.eardirE his case. Not once has he given
~ asked information, not once has he eN-
messed dissatisfaction with his plight The
o1lv significant request which he has made
uas q cal late to-day for books from the
library
Picheson sent word ~ tho warden that
Re would Ike 70 have the prison chaplain.
mo Rev. Herbert w Stehhius. visit him.
When Mr Stebtns called Rlcheson asked
him TO get several books Of a religious
nature FOR him These the chaplain pro
cured from the prison library and carried
10 the prisoner He declined ~ give the
titles Of tho volumes The daily papers
were else supplied 10 the prisoner.
The information was given out from the
Governors Office tonight that tho reports
N The a'ienists. Doctors StAdman. Frost
am Tuttle. had not been filed with the
Governor. and that he had been unable 70
form snv decision as to whether he would
make a recommendation 10 the council FOR
c'erency The council met to day. fol
lowing its custom. but the Richeson mat
ter was not brought w.
Rirbcson arose shortly after o'clock th's
morning from the cot in his cell IN the
death house His breakfast consisted of
two eggs, toast and coffee. He expressed
desire for fruit later. and during the day
apples. oranges and grapefruit were taken
n him. For dinner he had chicken, a pot
Of tea and bread The prisoner Is pro-
,ided with such food as he wishes 70 order.
He Is not allowed 20 use a knife or fork.
Counsel Is Confident.
William A Morse. counsel for Richeson,
7no visited him to-day. said;
The case stands lust as IL did yesterday
morning except that I'm carrying out the
decree Of the law physical step has
been taken hN the transfer Of the prisoner
from the Charles street Jail 10 the state
prison To me this does not mean any
thing. for he can he repTieVed Just as
easily in prison as I'm jail If the Governor
Saws the word
That word depends upon the report that
- 10 como, and until it has been made
? nj digeSted by the Governor Richeson
ie no better and no worse OF than he has
been for several days
Personally ! believe Governor Foss will
refer this petition to the council for
cannot understand how three such noted
SPECIALISTS can fail TO adiudge Richeson
irresponsible after the thorough eAamina-
ton they have made of him.
ANONYMOUS letters, such as invariably
reach the prison when a nota BILE prisoner
occupies the death house awaiting exeCu-
ton, began to arrive At the warder's Of
Zee TODAY. Chaplain Stebbins also re-
ceived communicat Most Of the let
tiers condemned the prisoner and his act.
some contained advice and suggestions
aud a few offered hope and encourage
m4n, Nearly all were from women.