New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-09-28
RICE LEFT TWO WILLS.
Continued from first page.


time, about O'Clock. looking over some papers.
Morris Meyers Mr.. Patrick's associate. was
seen last night at his home, No. 16S Henry-st-,
and asked about the alleged assignment Of
which he was said TO be a witness.
II have not been a party TO any assignment Of
any kind" said he and I don't believe the
police have what they say they have"
What about the size Of the estate of Mr..
Rice?" he asked.
no one knows what il amounts TO-" said Mr..
Meyers Captain Baker Mr.. Patrick and
others are just beginning an inventory, and
until that is completed no will know what the
old gentleman left. He lost a great deal Of
property IN the Galveston disaster and a cot
to8seed oil factory worth about 100000 which
he owned burned down at Houston only a few
weeks ago. Worrying over his losses had much
DO with his death, no doubt"
Mr.. Meyers said that the feeling between Cap
tain Baker. Frederick A. Rice and Nh. Patrick
was entirely cordial
A somewhat significant happening Of yester-
day was the failure OF Albert T. Patrick. of No.
Is Broadway, the New-York attorney for Mr..
Rice 20 attend the funeral Of Mr.. Rice Mr.. Pat
rick said later that he kept away by i'm
portant matters. and that he sincerely regret
tea that he unable TO attend. Prior TO the
funeral Captain Baker, Frederick A. Rice and
Mr.. Patrick met AT the house OF the dead man,
hdGlSoD-aNe,, q
few minutes They did not exhibit any signs Of
anger.
Mr. Patrick who IS also attorney for Colonel
Q. T. Holt executor Of the will of Mrs Rice,
WHO died in 1896 and whose relatives are suing
The estate Of Mr.. Rice, made statement yes
terdey afternoon in which he said that the
called trust fund. which. # is understood. Mr..
Rice wished 10 establish just before he died,
no more nor no less than much money
settle the claims + his dead wife's heirs, and
that The proposed settlement was the result Of
secret negotiations between Nj Patrick and
,dr. Rice. without the knowledge Of Captain
Bs,Eer who last fan refused to sanction any
such compromise.
Nh PATRICK'S STATEMENT.
Nr Patrick was rather more guarded in his
statements yesterday than he was on Wednes-
dz- He hal the air Of a man who had fears
Of IN fnquirg into his professional conduct, but
Who nevertheless anticipated a struggle with his
ere2-ies. As on previous DAYS. he received the
ne7er7rer men with the greatest cordiality, and
while he avaded or refused answer many
leading questions ne did so in a graceful way
and Nth q manner calculated 10 disarm sus-
p-otor. Hts statement which OH Wednesday he
said would undoubtedly explain satisfactorily
his hurry in trying on Monday get all Of the
Rice checks certified. was as follows:
In ny relations with the late William NJ. Rice,
J. Tas recognized that was the New-hork at
toraev for Colonel o. T Holt. executor of the
~,ll &C III FfCe.s late wife in a certain law suit
pending IN ne State oT Texas When Captain
James A Baker. ~ Texas. Mr. Rices attorney
and Colonel Holt The Executor, We're mere iasI
fail taking testimony. conducted negotiations
between them for 2 compromise. and underStooa
Colonel Holt 70 anthorzo a settlement OF all
claims for S2500r0. which amount Captain
Baker refused 70 pay. Thinking to serve my
clients I CONDUCTED secret negotiations with
Ds~- 70 r1vz-1 los IN oct q Z
the $3.50 coo
The s25o,oGo in checks were sent 20 me by NJ.
Tice last Saturday in my capacity as attorney
for Mr. Holt, and in satisfaction Of all his claims
against Mr.. Rico's esssie. the money to be PAID
h- me- TO Ar Holt upen-his executing full re
leases n Mr. Rice. according 10 previous nego-
-.afions we had This was followed by Mr..
Pres unfortunate death and hence my efforts
n certify he checks it!' order TO c0nsummate
the transaction without The delay incidental 70
the administration Of estates.
7 a. once placed the checks in escrow TO await
the contamination Of the transaction:
I did not deem f proper 10 speak Of this mat
ter the public until I had transmitted the in
formation 10 The parties interested.
The statement was no sooner read than Mr..
Patrick was brs.eged with inquiries. The will
OF Mr.. Rice. The secret negotiations, the subject
Of conversation between the Texas visitors and
himself-aIl suggested themselves. The reporters
al once began 10 lTy TO find out about the large
number Of missing ard interesting links.
Was the wiz Of Mr. Rice read to-day, as OK
pcCted2" be was asked
That is something I cannot talk about"
said he
VIII Mr. Baker and Mr.. Holt accept the prof
fered S21oo00 in settlement Of the claims Of Mrs
! Rice's heirs?" was the next question.
That remains to he seen" said Nj Patrick
Then followed cross-oxamination like this:
Q.-Are sou now on friendly terms with Cap
TAN Baker an1 Frederick Rice? Al have no
UnfHendly feelings toward the gentlemen.
Q.-haye they unfrendly feelings toward you?
A-So far as am aware, our relations are as
they were formerly.
ODD you come 10 any agreement to-day?
Al cannot discuss a professional matter of
thai nature now.
CT is reported that you admitted that YOU
expected 70 be arrested. Is that a true state
ment? A.-There is no truth in the statement
whatever. I shall he right here every day. and
Il CAPTAIN McClusky should want TO communi-
cate with me see me he'll find ne right here
o.-WeTe you present Al Ire funeral to-day7
A.-No, / was not; and I regret that important
engagements prevented ma from being there.
! wanted 10 be there
Q.-What part Of Mr. Rice's estate was his
WIDOW entitled TO under the laws Of Texas? A
ene-half Of his earnings from the time Of her
1895. ''''' '' '''' "F' ls''''' III
Q-,-How much did she dispose Of IN her will?
Gas lawyer for her executor. do YOU con
Eiaer the amount Of her Iegaces fair share for
want TO discuss that at this time.
Odd Mr.. Rice vote in the State Of Texas?
A--NOt after the
o-What IS the status OF the suit brought by
Mrs. Rices heirs A-The case is n the Fed
eral District Court in Texas.
Q-How large was Nj Rlce's estate? A
rsr eoaa in q nosiEon TO know put it between
Q-Then the stories Of his leaving 100000
are Incorrect A.-bess the SIS 100000 was a
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