The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1912-01-08


fact almost speeches..
Early in the past week Richesons
Virginia counsel, John 7. Lee OF
Lynchburg, arrived and when Mr..
Lee and the other attorneys went to
see their client, Richeson cried out
that he was guilty, and he also de-
clared that he intended to make a
clean breast of the crime.
At that time the prisoner was PLAIN
w laboring under great stress OF
mind, and his condition was such that
his counsel would not accept his sug-
gestion of a confession. They urged
him to think the matter over more
calmly and left him.
On Wednesday the attorneys paid
another visit to his cell, and at that
time the confession made public Sat
urday. was written by the prisoner
in spite of efforts of his counsel to
dissuade him from his purpose, be-
lieving he might be laboring under a
mental strain when had weakened
his reasoning powers. Richeson was
insistent, and the confession was pre-
pared and signed by the prisoner him
self in the presence Of the lawyers.
He is said to have written his state
ment cody and steadily and without
a tremor. At its conclusion he hand
ed the document to his counsel ex-
claiming as he sank back upon the
cot, Thank God, have eased my
conscience of that load"
What punishment will probably be
meted out to Rev. Clarence V. T.
Richeson, who has confessed the muir
der of his former sweetheart, Miss
Avis Linnell, was the compelling
question yesterday in the thoughts OF
all who have followed the various
features Of the sensational case. Pull
pit and press dealt with the confess
sion from various standpoints yester-
day, the former seeking to point a
moral, while the latter filed in some
links of evidence hitherto missing or,
at least, hidden from public know
ledge. Richeson is expected to APP
pear in court this afternoon and with
the confession in his hand ask to be
allowed TO change his former plea
and to be adjudged guilty of murder.
Whether George A. Sanderson and
District Attorney Joseph Pelletier
will accept this change or will put
aside the confession for future con
sideration in order that the regular
procedure may be followed and a ju.
ry called in to pronounce the verdict,
was not announced last night. Mem.
bers Of the governors council, how
ever, are known to have been ap-
preached as to their attitude in case
the death penalty should be imposed
and petition for Communication sent
to the state house Tor executive ac.
ton. From source close to Gov
Foss the statement was made yester-
day that his attitude would probably
be in favor of Communication of sen.
tence.
Richeson's confession as made pub
lie Saturday was bare of detail. II
is understood, however, that he en-
larged on 1t in conversation and pos
sibly In writing to his counsel and
that the district attorney is now in
possession Of most Of the information
which has come to the defense. While
no person can be quoted as RESPONSE
BILE for 1t, the statement is made on
high authority that Richeson's am
plified confession to his counsel was
on the following lines:-
After buying a quantity of cyanide
OF potassium from William Hahn, q
Newton Center druggist, on Otobel
10, the minister took the poison tC
his rooms in Cambridge A few day.
later he borrowed from Mrs. Frank
II. Carter In whose home he was 9
ledger, an earthenware mixing bow
Ito make some book paste" Return
ing the bowl TO Mrs. Carter an houl
or two later he warned her to be sure
and wash II out thoroughly. saying
i have been mixing poison in It." II
was in this bowl and at this time Il
Is said, that the minister by mixinl
the cyanide of potassium with floul
and water, made the capsule which
ultimately caused Miss Llnnell's
death. This was Thursday, October
~.
On Saturday, October IA. Riches
on met his one-time flancee. who still
believed herself to be his intended
wife, in front OF the Hotel Touraine
by appointment. Following then
custom, the couple walked for ,
short time and then went into {
Boylston street cafe. Here they ha,
luncheon, after which they took an
other walk, this time to the Fenway
II was while seated on a SECLUDED
bench In the park after the girl hat
again told him of her worry over he
physical condition, saying she fear
ed 1t was becoming apparent to he
friends and had once more entreate,
MN TO procure some remedy for hel
that the minister Is said to have han,
ed the girl the capsule, declaring /
was medicine which would certnin
~ act In the manner desired. II,
directed her as to the manner o
taxing 1t and then the pair walked I,
the car line Miss Linnell went I,
her room In the Young Womeni
christian Association house Will,
Iucheson boarded trolley car 10
Brookline, going to the home o
MISS violet Edmands the wealth,
helress whom he was to have marie,
few weeks later.
Meeting her chum, Miss Luclll
leigler Avis said she had been walk
ing with her friend" by which Mis-
leigler understood she meant Richie,
on, and complained Of headache n
her excuse for hurrying to her room
A few hours later she was found nm
conscious In the bathroom and die
without regaining consciousness.
cHAMPLAlN is FROZEN OVER
At Some Points on Lake Tho lee