New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-10-09
PLOT LAID TO THE VALET.
JONES SAID TO HAVE CONSPIRED LAST
WINTER FOR RICE MONEY.
POLICE BELIEVED TO HAVE BANK
CLERK S AFFIDAvIT-PATRICK LAWYER
SAYS CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS ARE
SIDE ISSUE TO THE CIVIL. ACTION.

SIDE ISSUE TO THE CIVIL ACTION
Another interesting development concerning
the alleged conspiracy tC secure fraudulent pos
session Of the Rice millions came TO light yes
terday. 1t was in the nature of an accusation
against the valet. Jones that go long ago as last
winter he proposed the concoction Of a will that
would name him the principal beneficiary.
Inc man to whom these suggestions made
mas related the details of the negotiations in
afhdavit which is now in the possession of the
ponce authorities. The police and the counsel
VINO are engaged upon the side of the prose-
cuIloh were studiously reticent yesterday upon
the subject Of this affidavit. While they ad-
l'lIlteu mat the document stated that Jones had
approached a certain individual and had sug-
gested the drawing up of a will which would
devise the property of Mr.. Rice to Jones they
refused 10 olVulge the name Of the affiant to
make public the contents Of the affidavit Itself.
Assistant District Attorney Osborne said he
did not feel at liberty TO speak about the aff1-
davit, because that phase Of the case was IN the
care OF the civil lawyers, who were acting for
the relatives Of Mr.. Rice and the heirs under
the hrst viii. He explained that the affidavit
was IN the possession Of either Captain Nc
Clusky or James W. Gerard of the firm of Bow
ers & Sands. Mr.. Gerard. when he was seen, was
as uncommunlcative as Mr.. Osborne had been
when asked for specific information about the
give out the affidavit although he tacitly ad-
mitted that had been laid before the au-
thorities embodylng a statement that Charles
F. Jones made proposition to somebody where
by will purporting to be that of William NJ
Rice was to be drawn up and executed through
a conspiracy OF Jones with the person to whom
the proposition made, and by which will
both were to profit largely upon Mr. Rces
death.
hC,yr {rPC~ Ion,
was obtained which went to show that Walter
Q. Wetherbee clerk in the Office of the bank
Ing firm Of Swenson & Sons. was the person
who made the affidavit. According 10 the story
told yesterday by who there IS reason to
believe, has knowledge of the statements con-
tained in the affidavit, Jones early last winter
wrote to Mr.. Wetherbee asking him 10 make
an appointment for the purpose of transacting
some important business. Mr.. Wetherbee who
was asked to name the time and place Of the
appointment replied that he would be pleased
TO see Jones any time at the office OF the Sven
sons. Jones in second letter said this would
not do; that they must meet at some place
where they could talk confdentiaIy and where
they would not be interrupted.
MEETING ARRANGED.
Mr.. Wetherbee thereupon named some other
place for the meeting. The two men met and
it is stated that Jones made the proposition that
Wetherbee should provide a typewriter will
devising the estate of Mr.. Rice according to
terms dictated by Jones' These terms were
that Jones was TO be the chief beneficiary
Jones wanted the will so framed that no OBJ
jections could be sustained against it If it were
contested
Jones on his part TO procure the sigma
ture Of Mr. Rice to the will and he intimated
TO Wetherbee that he had the old man under
his control and could get him to do anything he
wished The consideration which Jones offered
to Wetherbee for his assistance was 100000.
it is said
Mr.. Wetherbee was astounded at the propo-
stiOn and said Immediately that he would
have nothing to do with It, The following day
Mr. Wetherbee reported the conversation he
had had with Jones to a member Of the firm of
Swenson Sons. The member TO whom he
told the story instructed him that while It was
fresh in his mind he should reduce it TO writing
and make affdavit regarding it.
Later the matter was conveyed to the know-
edge Of Mr.. Gerard. Upon hearing the facts
Mr.. Gerard Is described as saying that Mr..
Wetherbee had acted somewhat unwisely In so
quickly rejecting Jones's OFFER. and that it
would have been better had he deluded the
valet into the belief that he would fall in
with the scheme. It was arranged that Mr..
Wetherbee should see Jones again and reopen
negotiations with him. In the mean time de-
liberations held as 10 whether or not Mr.
Rice should be informed of the affair but It
was decided not to do so for the time being, for
the reason that the old man was not very
friendly 10 Mr.. Wetherbee. It was thought
that II Jones really had Mr. Rice under his
control it would be better to wait before expos
ing him to his employer until more proofs were
obtained.
Carrying out the suggestion of Mr.. Gerard,
Mr. Wetherbee met Jones and insinuated that
$5OOOOO was a large sum, and that he not
more desirous than any one else would be of
throwing so big an amount over his shoulder.
Very soon afterwa-d. however, Jones refused to
proceed further with the negotiations.
1t is understood that the affidavit referred TO
by Mr.. Osborne and Mr.. Gerard contains in ef-
feet relation of the circumstances just de-
scribed and to this affidavit, it is said. at
tached the letters written by Jones to Mr.
Wetherbee This would to be borne out
by a remark which Mr.. Gerard made yesterday
that the evidence was supported by other things
than the affidavit
WHEN JONES TOOK UP PATRICK
The coincidence was remarked yesterday that
Jones appeared to have dropped Mr.. Wetherbee
Just at the time that Patrick appeared on the
scene Last January a personal appeared in a
York newspaper signed Justice" asking
for formation of people interested in the estate
of the la.e Mrs. Rice. This advertisement was
answered by Mr. Rice. who asked Justice" 10
call upon him Patrick. it turned out was the
Justice Of the advertisement. and he respond
ed 10 MI Rice's invitation. That was the be-
ginning Of the acquaintance between Jones and
Patrick After they had met Jones never again
communicated with Mr.. Wetherbee.
Mr.. Wetherbee at the Centre-st. court