Rocky Ford enterprise., 1900-11-09


wealthy william Marsh Rice Septem
Der %; the attempt OF his attorney
Albert Il. Patrick. TO cash checks fol
large amounts which purpOrted to b.
signed by the millionaire: the refusal Of
the bank to cash the checks drawn OF
II, and the discovery that Pee wal
dead ut 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
to anywhere from three TO eight mil
lions; the charge OF forgery against
Patrick and Mr.. Ricc's valet. Charles
+. Jones. and their arrest, have kept
New York Interested for over a 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 10 investigate.
The first Incident which led up ia
yesterdays climax was the rumor that
Valet Jones had made a confession 10
the authorities. Before the public had
time 10 learn II the report was true
came the more startling news that
Jones had attempted suicide by cutting
his throat with u pcnknIfc given him.
he says, by Attorney Patrick. for the
purpose OF getting rid OF the only wit.
ness to Patrick's alleged crime.
Attorney Patrick denies having fur.
nished Jones with the pcnknife and he
also denies the statements in the con-
fession.
Night Keeper Currnn said Jones got
the knife with which he cut his throat
from ..lbcrt 4. 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 WIS slightly better.
and would recover.
The confession Of Jones was made to
Assistant District Attorney Osborne.
Captain McClusky. James Byrne Of
Hornblower. Byrnc. Miller & Porter,
and Mr.. Miller Of the same firm.
He said that for some days prior to
Mr.. Ricc's death Patrick had given Mr..
Rice tablets Of n grayish color: that
Mr.. Rio. took these tablets from Pat
rick. AMI that Patrick told him to take
them. rs he hnd taken some himself:
that about this time Patrick and MIR.
Rice had become very Intimate: that
Mr.. Rice on Saturday sent Jones to
Patrick's house To demand certain IN.
pers from Patrick that he. Patrick. had
In his Possession. Continuing. Jones
said:
This was about the 18th Of Scpscm-
Der. 100: 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. vanaistync advised him
TO eat bananas. Mr.. Rice said the ban.
nnns clo..cd his stomach. and ! told
tho doctor. The doctor said that Rice
having dinrrhoca he would pull
through. The tablet. were taken every
night until the Friday before Mr.. Rice
died.
'-on tho Sunday that Rice died Fat
rick asked inc for bottle and sponge
and got them for him. He then asked
me to leave III" room. lie said: I will
rcmnin with Mr.. Rice until he goes TO
sleep. and will 60 out the side door
Two minutes later I heard Mr.. Rice
laughing. after left the room. I went
to the door and pccpcd In and saw Mr..
Rice lying on his back anu the towel was
folded In n cone shape over his whole
face. and Mr.. Patrick was holding II
over his face with his right hand. Mr..
Patrick did not seq me. nor did Mr..
Rice. I opened the door Just enough to
See whit was going on. and Just rs
soon rs I saw the position OF things I
went and lay down on my bed AMI
went to sleep"
Mr.. Osborne says Jones described
Ricc's death MS follows: mfr. Rice was
very sick. Patrick said to me: Go and