Was Richardson Planning on Taking Out Life Insurance?
One of the reasons that Sheriff Cline believed Richardson had poisoned his children (or had them poisoned) was because of a statement by a local insurance broker. According to reports, the broker had visited the Richardson home just a couple of weeks before the children died.
Richardson had spoken to the broker about taking out life insurance on the whole family, including all seven of his children. But, the working-class man was unable to afford the insurance and had sent the broker on his way. This conversation alone, though, seemed to convince the Sheriff that Richardson was guilty.
