The Lamar register., 1900-11-07

New York, Nov. 2.-Ihe death oil the
wealthy William Marsh Rice Septenl-
ber %; the attempt of his attorney,
Albert +. Patrick. to cash checks for
large amounts which purported to be
signed by the millionaire: the refusal of
the bank to cash the checks drawn on
it, and thes discovery that Rice was
dead at the time the checks were pre-
sented; the subsequent claim of Patrick
that Mr.. Rice had made him by will
the trustee Of his estate, which amounts
10 anywhere from three to eight mil
lions; the charge of forgery against
Patrick and Mr.. Rice's valet. Charles
+. Jones. and their arrest. have Kept
New York interested for over IL month
in what, by the developments of yes
terday, promises to become one of the
most celebrated crimes which the
courts OF this city have been called
on to investigate.
The first incident which led up to
yesterdays climax was the rumor that
Valet Jones had made a confession to
the authorities. Before the public had
time to learn II the report was true
came the more startling news that
Jones had attempted suicide by cutting
his throat with II penknife given him.
he says, by Attorney Patrick, for the
purpose of getting rid of the only wit
ness to Pntrick's alleged crime.
Attorney Patrick denies having fur
nished Jones with the penknfe and he
also denies the statements in the coll
fession.
Night Keeper Currnn said Jones got
the knife with which he cut his throat
from Albert Il. Patrick. Jones, after
his suicidal attempt, was taken to
Bellevue hospital. physicians having
arrived just in time to save him from
death through loss of blood. Last night
surgeons said he was slightly better,
and would recover.
The confession of Jones was made to
Assistant District Attorney Osborne.
Captain McClusky. James Byrne of
Hornblower. Byrne. Miller & Porter.
and Mr.. Miller of the same firm.
He said that for some days prior to
Mr. Rices death Patrick had given Mr..
Rice tablets of n grayish color; that
Mr. Rice took these tablets from Fat
rick, and that Patrick told him to take
them, as he had taken some himself;
that about this time Patrick ard Mr..
Rice had become very intimate; tnat
Mr. Rice on Saturday sent Jones to
Patrick's house to demand certain pa
pers from Patrick that he. Patrick, had
in his possession. Continuing, Jones
said:
This was ABOUT the letn Ol seplehi-
bcr, 1900; Mr.. Rice had been bothered
with consumption. When Mr.. Patrick
brought him some tablets. Patrick said
he had taken some himself. Two days
after this Mrs. Vanalstyne advised him
TO eat bananas. Mr.. Rice said the ban
anns clogged his stomach. and told
the doctor. The doctor said that Rice
having diarrhoca he would pull
through. The tablets were taken every
night until the Friday before Mr.. Rice
died.
"On the Sunday that Rice died Pat
rick asked me for bottle and a sponge
and got them for him. He then asked
me to leave the room. lie said: L will
remain with Mr. Rice until he goes to
sleep. anl will go out the side door.
Two minutes later ! heard Mr.. Rice
laughing. after l left the room. l went
10 the door and peeped In and saw Mr..
Rice lying on his back ana the towel was
folded in n cone shape over his whole
face, and Mr.. Patrick was holding 1t
over his face with his right hand. Mr..
Patrick did not see me. nor did Mr..
Rice. opened the door just enough to
see what was going on. and just as
soon as saw the position of things l
went and lay down on my bed and
went to sleep"
Mr.. Osborne says Jones described
Rice's death as follows: Mr.. Rice was
very sick. Patrick said to me: Go and