Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-04-03

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slightest quaver in his well modulated
voice and displaying no outward sign
of regret or remorse, Charles F. Jones,
secretary and valet to the late VIM.
Marsh Rice to-day confessed under
oath that he mad ended the life of his
employer and %benefactor with chloro-
form.
The confession was the climax of
a remarkable recital in which was
laid bare the details of an alleged
subtle conspiracy which had for its
object the seizure of three million dol
lars in cash and negotiable securities
and the conversion of three millions in
realty to the uses of the alleged chief
conspirator.
There was a dramatic force in the
directness and minute attention to de-
tail with which Jones approached the
tragedy-the moment when he cover
ed the face of the sleeping man with
the saturated napkin and then wait
ed for him to die.
The self-confessed murderer told the
story of the alleged plot from it's in
ception. The capital crime he COM
mitted and all the minor o~ffenses that
preceded it. were he declared, at the
i~nstigation and direction of Albert I.
Patrick. 1t was Patrick, he said, who
conceived the idea of forging a will
and forging transfers and convey
ances. 1t was Patrick VINO induced two
persons to witness the forged sigma
ture. 1t was Patrick who determined
that Rice should die, and Patrick who
sought to have him killed slowly, and,
then becoming impatient, determined
upon quick action. And, according to
Jones, remarkable as it may seem, Rice
never knew Patrick during his life time
and never saw him but once.
Jones, according to his story first be-
gan his acquaintance with Patrick when
the lawyer called at the residence of
Millionaire Rice on Madison avenue,
this city, in October, 1899. The wit
ness told of the growing friendship
and the gradual approach to the discus
sion of the affairs of Mr.. Rice which
finally resulted in the proposition to
defraud and Jones finally yielded. Then
came the details Of the story of the
transfers and ~conveyances of real and
personal property to Patrick over the
forged signatures of Rice; the stealing
of blank checks from the m~illionaire's
check book; then delivery to Patrick
and the forging of Rice's signature;
the proposition to put the aged million
aire out of the way, first weakening
him by continuous does of mercury,
the calling in of a physician at fire.
quent intervals, thus apparently pro-
viding for the issuance of a death GER
tificate; and the extreme care with
which this plan OF slow poisoning was
carried out.
Then, as calmly as though unfold
ing the plot of a drama in which he
was interested only as a spectator,
Jones led up to the day Of the muir
der.
He swore that Patrick had furnish
ed him mercury pills of a different
composition from those first admin
istered. told how the millionaire de-
feated the purpose of the plotters by
refusing to take them. Then Jones
said, Patrick began to display impa-
thence. He swore the lawyer brought
two ounces of oxalic acid 10 Jones
and Jones swears he told him to di-
lutte one ounce in twenty-five times
its weight in water and to give the
mixture to Rice for the purpose of
weakening his heart action.
To induce the old man TO take these
several poisons, Jones said he was
compelled to take doses himself in
Rice's presence. One dose was really
not dangerous. 1t was the cumulative
effect Of the drug that vas to be feared.
According to this remarkable con-
fession the oxalic acid was too slow and
Jones was asked TO use chloroform and
laudanum.
Patrick accused by the witness Of
being the arch-criminal. listened to
the witness with attention and occa-
sionally made notes OF the testimony.
Not even the remarkable witness on
the stand was more cool, calm and col
lected than this remarkable prisoner.
Patrick's hand was firm and steady.
He displayed neither anger. fear nor
resentment.
When Jones reached the description
Of the murder Of the sleeping man,
Patrick merely stroked hi bard and
hansd hack 81 his chair, apparently
sIiishtly 3o1ed " ths recital u ~ ~