Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1912-05-21
Former Clergyman Accepts
With Fortitude Extreme PEN
atty for Murder of Affianced
Sweetheart.
BREATHES PRAYER OF
FORGIVENESS IN CHAIR
God viii Take Care of My Soul
and | Pray for All; Forgive
Everybody; Are His Last
Words.

Boston, 2 May 21.--Clarence v
T. Richeson was electrocuted al
12:l7 o'clock this morning, eastern
time.
The current was turned on al
1210:02, and the prisoner was de.
elared dead at 1914. The former
Baptist clergyman, confessed mur-
derer of Avis Linnell, of Hyannis, his
one-time sweetheart. was outwardly
calm when he entered the death
chamber and he maintained his COM
posure while the straps and elec-
trodes were being adjusted as he sat
in the electric chair.
Richeson walked to the electric
chair erect. eyes straight ahead until
he sat down. Then he closed his eyes
and kept them shut until the end.
Seated in the chair, he was asked
questions by the Rev. Herbert s.
Johnsqn, bis spiritual adviser.
During his answers he said:
God will take care of my soul and
pray for all. l forgive everybody"
The last of the questions was:
Are you willing to die for Jesus
ake?,
The reply, in an even, well modulat-
die.
The current erlpleved was 1900
volts eight amperes. One application
was sufficient.
When the officials and witnesses of
the execution entered the death
chamber, after walking through the
prison yard in a pelting rain, they
heard sounding through the walls the
strains of song. 1t was Richeson and
his spiritual advisers. Mr.. Johnson
and Chaplain Stebbins.
were the words:
For know that ere befalls me.
Jesus doeth all things WELL"
Richeson left his cell smiling at
iz:os. Before starting on the death
march he shook hands with William
A. Morse, his counsel who at the last
moment had been admitted as a wit
ness Of the execution and with the
two chaplains, Rev. M. J. Murphy,
'he catholic priest. being also present.
Then he said:
IN ready and walked on. He was
dressed plainly in black cheviot suit.
nrock coat, white vest, white shirt,
turned down collar and a black bow
ue win gold studs in his shirt front
enu with low black shoes brightly |
middle.
Inc party then entered the cham
W. me unfrocked minister appeared |
a'ni as either of his companions. |
,nnVhg many letters addressed to |
w"eson which were opened by |
,siaen Bridges was one which was |
s,a sDanu TO contain cyanide of potas-
Nh IL was mailed from Station n,
iork City. May 10, at 3 p. m.
:, contained no olew to the sender.
s,. ms powder being enclosed in a small
r"eiope marked Headache
s'~uers' !, Analysis of it showed that
v,'"a poison Of the same nature
nan was used in killing Avis Lin
a.; rev. Herbert S. Stebbins, the
a." chaplain, preceded the con-
cba.- man in the march to the
an, :, Soiemnly his deep voice rang
~, hrough the chamber as he read
~ 'he hfty-first psalm.
r,. prison guards picked up the
de- dangling like tentacles from the
the,- enair and quickly adjusted
n,-s- ihere was a CULVER in everyl
,vic. n@hd and even the electrician
d. paced his face strap over the
as,'a. eo mans face before he could
satisfactorily.
ns. shout the entire time the for
ana 'gyman was talking bravely
-. earnestly with fun. steady
as he gave answer after an
b. ~. T." questions propounded to him
? Mr. Johnson.
tor" ou'd you like to confess Christ be-
asksa men as your Saviour ."
:, ehe Rev. Mr. johnson.
ior- confess Christ as my saw
-n came the answer firmly.
you Christ give you the strength
-. aeed In this hours"
heed . es me the strength
s.,,s.v.e Have you the strength to NEE,
nj ! have. God win TAX. care Of INV
~ Nhd ] pray for au.-
I do 'h' Oh our SIM"
= - , you forgive everybody.-
orsise everybody
ukn& MlllInx 10 die for J.~,,~' 4