New-York tribune., 1900-09-29
TANGLEoVER RICE'S DEATH
POLICE SAY THE CHECKS WILL BE
SUBMITTED TO HANDWRIT-
ING EXPERTS.

The mystery surrounding the case of William
Marsh Rice, who died suddenly last Sunday night
at his home No 500 Madison-ave.. was only in
tensifed by the developments of yesterday. The
police who are working on the case refused to tell
whether they have found any clews which may
explain the old mans strange death and principals
who arranging for settlement OF the dead
mans estate were particularly guarded In their
words and actions.
Albert T. Patrick the lawyer of No. go Broad
way. whose attempt to cash checks drawn on his
clients account the day following his death and
who otherwise figures largely in the case. yester-
day refused TO see newspaper men. On his door ne
pasted this notice:
statement made concerning me nor make any state
me to the press l do not contemplate making
any such statement, however. am forced TO this
position account of false statements hereto
fore imputed to me.
Captain James A. Baker the Texas attorney for
Mr. Rice. who says he is named as an executor
in all the wills the old man has made, had a long
conference with Mr. Patrick at his office and then
started hastily for the Hotel Normandie. All at
tempts 20 see him afterward at the hotel proved
futile. His name not found on the register.
and was said thedesk that he was not staying
there.
The police, although maintaining the greatest
secrecy regarding their movements in determining
the exact causes Of the old Texas capitalists
death. threw considerable light on the conference
held on Thursday afternoon between Mr.. Patrick
and Mr.. Baker. at which the former turned over to
the latter the securities and other rights of the
dead
This conference resulted from meeting a few
hours before of sergeants Valley. Carey and Muir
ply. detectives of Captain McClusky's staff and
Captain Baker. At this meeting the detectives
recommended that Baker had better "go easy
with Mr. Patrick and only put screws into use If
necessary They told him (Baker) that Mr.. Pat
rick had in his possession certain securities be-
longing to the dead man. They also told him that
the best to obtain them was to simply explain
that such a surrender Of these papers on the part
OF Mr.. Patrick would do much TO clear his posi-
ton
TREATED PATRICK ADRoITL
The conference followed suggested Of
fee of Mr.. Patrick. Only the two pres
ent and after long discussion Mr. Patrick turned
over to the Texas lawyer the old mans securi-
ties. Mr.. Gerard of No 81 Nassau-st, the local
legal representative of Captain Baker said yes
terday that to his knowledge Mr.. Rice had made
Wills.
I'm these Wills Mr. Gerard continued, Captain
Baker has been made the executor and hence he
should have whatever estate remains. do not
know anything of this will in which Mr.. Patrick
claims he is made the executor"
Mr. Gerard then spoke of the checks which Mr..
Patrick, representing the heirs of Mr.. Rces
wife had attempted TO cash at Swenson & sons
his bankers, the day after Mr.. Rec died
Attention was first called to the check he CON
tinued, by the irregularty of the signature which
was caused doubtless by the old mans weakness
when he was said to be in fairly good health"
Mr.. Gerard expected visit from Captain Baker
after his long conference with Mr.. Patrick. and
waited his Office, No. 81 Nassau-st until after
o'clock in the evening; He then, went to the
Union Club for dinner and thence to his home, No
II Gramercy Park When there by a Tribune
reporter about o'clock he said
Il have not seen Baker since this morning. The
last heard he had left Mr.. Patrck's Office about
O'Clock. 1 do not know where he is"
HANDWRITING EXPERTS TO BE EMPLOYED
Captain McClusky was at the Hotel Normandie
late last night. He said that he hunting for
Baker, but could not find him. The Captain said
further that he going to put handwriting
experts on the case for the purpose of studying
the signatures of the checks.
Professor Rudolph A. Witthaus, the chemist. is
still working on the analysis of the dead mans
vital organs and the contents Of his stomach.
DISPATCHES from Worcester were received yester-
day to the effect that the dead mans sisters, Mrs
Charlotte S. Mckee, of Springfield. and Mrs.
Minerva Olds of Palmer Mass believe that the
old man poisoned to death.