The Portland daily press., 1900-11-02
Authenticity Of Oonfes-
sion Denied.
Counsel for Prisoner Says None
Was Made.

New York, November 1.-The death Of
the millionaire william Marsh Rice, at
his Madison avenue apartments on Sep
tember %, the attempt Of his attorney,
Albert Il. Patrick to cash checks for large
amounts which purported TO be signed
by Rice; the discovery by the bank otfio-
ials that Mr.. Kics was lying dead at the
time the checks were presented; the SUBJ
sequent claim By Patrick tsat Mr.. Rice
had made him, by will the trustee of his
estate, which amounts to anywhere from
three TO eight millions; the charge of
forgery both as regards the checks and
the VIII, placed against Patrick and Mr..
Rlce's valet, Charles II. Jones; the arrest
Of Patrick and Jones, and their lodge
ment In jail, have kept New York inter
csted for over mon tn in what, by the
developments Of today promises TO become
the most celebrated crime which the
courts of this city have been called on
to investigate.
The first incident leading up to the
sensation of today. was the fact disclosed
yesterday that Jones had heen taken TO
the district attorneys Office and the sub.
sequent rumors that he had made n con-
fession TO the authorities. Before the
public had time to learn If the rumors
of confession was true, came the more
startling statement that during the
night Jones had attempted suicide by
cutting his throat with pen knife. given
him, he says, by Attorney Patrick, who
is also confined the Tombs.
That portion OF the confession which
has to do with ths last moments Of the
old man, is the following. given out by
the authorities as coming from Jones.
the scene taking place in the apartment
OF the millionaire, and he lying sick in
bed:
"Rice said; Il am very nervous, MIR.
Patrick. 1 wish you would not trouble
me. Please 60 away
Patrick replied: Il have some salts
here, Mr.. Rice. that will oure your ner-
vousness.'
"He produced a bottle and uncorked 1t.
The contents smelled to ms like soma
very strong liniment.
''Then Patrick said to me: Get me
a towel and sponge 1 got him both.
Then Patrick said:
Jones, you'll have to leave left.
AS I was leaving, Patrick said: IN
remain here until Mr.. Rice gets to
Sleep He closed the door behind me.
'sI stood in the hall for few minutes
ana soon 1 heard Mr.. Rice laugh. /
thought this was queer, so pushed open
the door. 1 saw Mr.. kice lying on his
back in bed.
'sThe towel that / had given Patrick
was wrapped around the sponge In cone
shape. This cone was lying directly over
Mr.. Rice's eyes and nose.
Patrick was pressing 1t down with his
right hand. Patrick did not see me and
of course Mr.. Rice could not. After see
ing what had seen went and lay on
my bed.''
Mr.. Osborne this afternoon gave out a
more detailed statement OF what Jones
said OF the happening subsequent to
Rice's death. He saii, quoting from
Jones's statement:
when walked up about 8 o'clock that
morning, 1 asked Mr.. Rice II ne wanted
water and he did not answer. took up
his hand and it was limp and lifeless. 1
at once saw that he was either feigning
or dead. The doctor and Patrick came
together about 30 or o O'Clock. The doc
tor examined Rice ana said that ne was
dead. Patrick was then very nervous and
excited and he asked the doctor how long
he had been dead. He repli ed: About
twenty minutes. After tine body had
been laid out. Patrick gathered up all
the letters. He gathered two watches
and all tins money that was in the trunk.
He told me that he wanted all the valu-
able papers. The next day he returned
and had with him bankbooks and check