The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-05-21

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the pocket of Miss Linnell's bathrobe,
which had been buried with her. The
Dody was disinterred in Hyannis on
october "a and brought to Boston for
post mortem examination by five
prominent physicians. The cause of
oeath was confirmed but no additional
evidence was found.
His Life Investigated.
At the same time the police began
an investigation into the life of Rich
eson- Every important act of his life
from the date of his birth at Rose
vent in Cambridge was gone into. 1t
was found that he went to school early
at Amherst Courthouse, Va, high
-school. then went to Carrollton, Mo,
TO work for a brother and attend a
local academy. Three years later he
went to Liberty, Mo-, and entered
William Jewell college to study for the
ministry. While a student he sup
Piled pulpits in Kansas City, Mo-;
Stewartsville, Miss; Ell Paso, Tex;
Louisville, KY, and other places.
Richeson's life had not been an un-
disturbed one, it was learned, and
many tales were related of his en-
tanglements with young women. At
Liberty, Mo-, while in William Jewell
college, he had been engaged to the
daughter of professor. The young
woman lent Richeson money to pur-
sue his studies and up to the time OF
his coming to Hyannis believed she
was to be his wife. In the meantime
she developed tuberculosis. which still
necessitates her remaining in Salt
Lake City, Utah. The one bright ray
OF light in RicheSon'S career appeared
to be that he repaid the money loaned
him as fast as possible. The final
amounts were sent from Hyannis
shortly before he came to Cam bridge.
Richeson was expelled from William
Jewell college for cheating in exam
tn i L.
dained at the First Baptist church in
st. Louis. For time he worked as
conductor on the street cars of the lat
ter city and was prominent in a strike
of street car men, his fiery eloquence
making him a natural leader.
Was Involved With Widow.
While at Budd Park Baptist church
in Kansas City, Richeson became in
volved with a widow. One Sunday
she appeared unexpectedly during the
church service. RicheSon, upon see
ing her, fell in a faint. A brother of
the woman called at Richeson's rooms
and the young minister left town sud
denly. A note to the deacons ex-
planned that he had been driven away
by jealous women.
At another church three young wo-
men interrupted the service one Sun
day. simultaneously rising each in
Quired of the minister if he intended
to carry out his promise to marry her.
The sensation led the deacons of the
church to write for the pastors resig-
nation.
Richeson entered Newton Theological
Seminary in the fall of 1906 and gradu-
ated in 1909. During his course lie
earned money by working in restau-
rants and shoe stores. He was called
to the Hyannis church in 1909 and re-
manned there until June, 1910 When ne
resigned to accept the pastorate of the
Emmanuel Baptist church in Cambridge.
Rumors of his interest in women while
a preacher in Massachusetts have been
current. Miss Edmands, upon the ar
rest of her fiance, left Cambridge to es-
cape publicity and, it is said, has been
engaged in charity work.
Interest in the case was 1ntenslf1ed
on December 20, When it became known
that Richeson had mutilated h1mself
in his cell at the Charles street jail
The public apparently lost all sympa-
strange act which was interpreted as
a confession of guilt. At Hyannis, the
home of Avis Linnell, the minister was
hung in effigy with a placard on the
dummy reading. Guilty Read Luke
t7:2" In Boston a conference was
called and Richeson was formally de-
orived of his title of Reverend.
Richeson confessed his guilt in a |
statement written by himself on Janu-
ary 8, and given out by his counsel on
s. The confession was al |
dressed to his counsel and read:
His Confession.
s.Deeply penitent before my sins, and |
desiring far as in my pow
ar lies to make atonement, l hereby |
confess that / am guilty of the offense
If which 1 stand indicted. I am moved
q this course by no inducement of
of leniency. Heinous as IS
nv crime, God has not wholly aban-
loned me- and my conscience and man
,ood however depraved and blighted.
will not admit of my still further
vronging by a public trial her whose
,ure Young life / have destroyed.
sJJnder the lashings of remorse I
ave suffered and am suffering the
ortures of the damned. In this I find
+ measure of comfort. In my mental
Luguish I find there is still, by the
mercy of the Master, some remnant OF
he divine spark of goodness still lin
,ering with me. 1 could wish to live
nly because within some PRISONS walls
might. in some small measure redeem
nv sinful past. help some despairing
oul, and at last find favor with my
Sod
You are instructed to deliver this TO
he district attorney or to the judge Of
he court. Sincerely yours, Clarence
7. T. Richeson."
Richeson was taken into court on
anuary 9. pleaded guilty to the muir
er of Avis Linnell and was sentenced
o be electrocuted at the Charlestown
tate prison in the week beginning
DAY 10.
A Negro His Companion.
A negro murderer, Henry H. Butts,
DC hoo1 tho constant com pauion Of .