Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-05-17
R|CHEsON NOW
KNOWS HIS FATE.
His Spiritual Advisor Announces to
Him the Governors
Decision
RECEIVES NEWS WITH NERVE
Condemned Man Smoked 80 Cigars
Observation-Disclosures and Moved
About Cell Last Night
RECEIVES NEWS WITH NERVE

Boston, May l7.-Clarence V. T.
Richeson, former minister knows that
he will die in the electric chair for
murder OF Avis Linnell. He was
told at 1915 by his spiritual adviser,
Rev. Herbert S. Johnson, Baptist
minister. thai Gov. Foss had refused
10 intervene to save his life.
According TO Guard Hedges. who
was ON duty at Richeson's death cell
door when the former Pastor of I'm
manuel Baptist Church was told his
death in the electric chair was GER
tain. the prisoner received the news.
with wonderful nerve.
Rev. Johnson called at Richeson's
cell at 90 o'clock in company with
Deputy Warden Allen. After a
CHEEKY good morning which was as
cheerily returned by Richeson. the
three conversed on casual subjects
which were deftly turned to Richie
sons case by DR.. Johnson who finally
asked:
DO you wish to know immediate
", the result Of the examination
made on you by the alienists?"
Richeson according to Hedges,
drew himself stifly from the chair
where he had been sitting nexr tt
the barred door, and said in scarce
ly audible voice:
''I have been hoping. but I can
tell by your expression that you have
none. Let me know now
Hedges was unable to distinguish
int what was said. At This moment
ne was called away. another guard
having gone on duty al the cell.
Johnson and Allen remained with
Richeson for nearly 40 minutes after
he had been told OF his fate. When
they left. Or. Johnson would say no.
thing. except:
"Richeson knows he is TO die. He
stood the shock OF the knowledge
better than / expected he would.
Mere Than this I cannot tell. will
probably visit him again today
Il was announced al the offices OF
William A. Morse, attorney for Richie
son, that the prisoners father had
sent word he will reach Boston some
time today Whether he will visit
his son he did not say. according to
Morse. There is little doubt that he
could get The necessary permission
10 do this. Before he does, however,
he will attend to the gruesome task
of making arrangements, while his
son sill Hives. for claiming the body
End having it prepared for burial.
At the same time il was announc-
ed Richeson's father was coming. 1t
was also announced that the body viii
be placed on the earliest possible
train for the south. II will be taken
to I.ynchburg. Va. where il will he
buried beside The graves Of his mother
and his sister in the family burial
plot.
A report that Richeson had repnd'
lated his confession Of numbering
Avis Liuneil was circulated here to-
day. but il was Immediately denied
by prison officials, and by Rev. John
son and attorney Morse.
Boston, Mass. May 11.-Unaware
of the action of Gov. Foss in announ-
cling that no action will be taken TO
save him from death in the cleo
tric chair, Clarence V T. Richeson,
ey.minister arose at 7.e5 q. m today
after a restless night-the third
spenr in the death cell at Charles
Town prison.
He did not retire until after mid
night, up TO which time he smoked
cigars necessarily. He smoKeo at
leas, thirty cigars yesterday. I'M
mediately after his breakfast OF COL
fee, toast and eggs today he called
deputy Warden Allen and asked that
his stock OF tobacco be replenisnec'
While he was waiting for the cigars
to arrive he lighted the stub OF one
he had smoked last night. His in
creasing nervousness and constant
moving about in his cell made 1t ap-
parent that he was realizing his
doom.
Clarence v. T. Richeson must Al,
in the electric chair at the Charles
town Mass, Stste prison next wee,
E. ~. --,r3or of A,ys, ionaN ,