Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-04-10
A DAMAGING STATEMENT
MADE BY JONES THE VALET
SAYS HE FIRST MADE A COMPLETE
CONFESSION TO ATTORNEY
HOUSE, AND
AT PATRICK's sUGGEsTI0
JUSTICE JEROME ALLOWED THE
ANSWER TO STAND, AND THE
QUESTIONING TO GO ON.

NEW YORK, April "a feature OF
the examination OF Valet Jones in the
days session of the hearing concerning
the death of VIM. Marsh Rice, the
Texas millionaire, was line of ques-
tioning which led to a heated scene at
the noon recess between Attorney
Moore, who represents Lawyer Pat
rick, and Assistant District Attorney
Osborne.
The cause of the dispute was Mr.. Os-
borne's success in wringing from Valet
Jones certain testimony against Pat
rick. Frederick House is one of Pat
rick's lawyers. Previous to Jones turn
ing States evidence, Mr.. House repre-
scented the valet also. BY ruling OF
the court, Mr.. Osborne was allowed to
ask the witness what he and Patrick
had told their lawyer at their first in
terview in the Tombs. Jones replied
that 1t was a complete confession of the
murder, differing not at all from his
story at the hearing.
During all the long cross eMmination
of Jones, which ended only an hour be-
fore recess, Mr.. Moore made it appar-
ent that his sledge hammer questions
were all directed at one point. He
sought to show that Jones story was
concocted at the instigation of some of
the men interested in disproying the
second Rice will He laid special stress
on Jones conversations with Captain
Baker, executor of the first will. The
cross-examination was full of insinua-
lions and recriminations against Jones,
Mr.. Osborne and Mr. Battle, the latter
Jones special counsel.
when at last Mr. Moore said:
I'VE are through with the witness, 3"
MIR. Osborne on the rebuttal leaned
back in his chair and asked politely:
Zones, to whom did you first tell
the story of your having chloroformed
Mr. Rice? | mean the same story you
told here. WAS it to me?"
ITO Mr.. House. was the reply.
The Question -pparently Was n
Surprise.
Mr.. House flushed and looked hard at
the table. Patrick tugged at his beard
and Mr. Moore sprang to his feet
1--WE object to that question: he
shouted. 1--WE have some rights in
this court. Anything the witness said
to his counsel involves the prisoner. 1t
is a professional confidence which
must not be revealed
But Justice Jerome only said:
objection overruled," and Jones
then described at length his first inter-
view with Mr.. House in the Tombs
counsel room. On Patrick's advice he
had told the truth he said.
II told Mr. House that I murdered
Mr.. Rice" said Jones. II told him that
| gave him mercury pills. where / got
the chloroform and all about it,
Did you tell him about the oxalic
acid?"
yes
''And what did Mr.. House say?"
''He told Patrick that it would not do
for him to put all the blame on me;
that he was as much in it as was"
Mr.. Osborne brought out the fact that
the talk with Mr.. House occurred sew
eral days before the district attorney
had the faintest idea that the prisoner
would make a confession.
What did Patrick say to Mr..
House," Mr.. Osborne asked.
why, he explained that we had put
Mr.. Rice out of the way because the
drafts were coming due from Texas.
said Jones.
Court then adjourned until O'Clock.
A few minutes later Justice Jerome
went out and the court room was clear
ed of every one
Save Lawyers and Reporters.
Mr. Osborne arose from his side OF
the table and started for the door, Mr.
Moore met him at the corner of the
table.
Mr. Osborne" he began, in quiet
voice, Il want to tell you that your
conduct in making Jones tell about his
conversation with Mr.. House was un-
professional. 1t was not right
The district attorneys face was Grim
son in a minute.
Il only did it, he said, because OF
your insinuations that we concocted
Jones's story. You have cast refec-
tions upon Captain Baker. He is my
friend. guard his reputation as zeal
ously as do my own"
At the mention of his name CAPTAIN
Baker stepped forward and stood al
Mr.. Osborne's elbow
You have not strengthened your
case any" continued Mr. Moore. '.You
have only put Mr. House in a hole. ]
tell you 1t was not fair
Il don't give d. for the way you
do things up the State" shouted Mr.
Osborne, referring to Mr.. Moore being
a recent arrival in this city. you at.
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