The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-03-27
PATRICK ON TRIAL.
New York Lawyer Accused of
Numbering Millionaire Rice.

New York, March 27.-AIbert T Pat
rick. the lawyer, who is accused of muir
dering William Marsh Rice. the aged
Texas millionaire, last September. was
given a preliminary hearing before Judge
Jerome, sitting as a committing magis-
trate The charge against Patrick Is
based on aff1davits made by Charles F.
Jones, a valet in the employ of the late
millionaire at the time of his death, and
by Professor Witthaus, an expert chem
list Assistant District Attorney Osborne
and Deputy Assistant Garvln appeared
for the district attorney, F. B. House.
and Robert F. Moore appeared for Pat
rick. The first witness was David L.
Short, a publisher of Brooklyn.
Short said he became a commissioner
OF deeds OF Texas at the suggestion of
Patrick. Jones was introduced to him.
he said, as the private secretary Of a
wealthy Texas client of Patrick's. The
witness admitted that on several oc-
casions he had left his official seal at the
apartments of Mr.. Rice after transact
ing business there. Witness said he had
never acted as a commissioner for any
one except Mr.. Rice, and that was at the
request Of Patrick Witness had never
seen Patrick at Rice's house until after
Rice's death.
Jones was excluded from the court
room while the witness was testifying.
The witness identified a paper that he
had Acknowledged as commissioner of
deeds. The paper was offered in evil
dence by the prosecution, who expected
to prove that it was a forgery. Counsel
for the defense objected on the ground
Of irrelevancy and the paper was ex-
cluded temporarily. The prosecution
brought out from the witness that he
had been at Mr.. Rice's house on bust
ness on May 26, June 80, September Z,
September 10 and September 81 two
days before Rice's death. Short said
he might have been a [ the house of Mr..
r nj
messed several assignments of property
to be filed in the state Of New York.
Before the afternoon session, Prose
cutor Osborne said the prosecution had
about thirty witnesses, and that among
them were Morris Meyer, the former law
partner Of Patrick, and DR.. Walter
Curry, who was Rice's physician. DR..
Curry's testimony may have to be taken
at home, as he is sick.
Short resumed the stand and said he
had failed to find the book in which he
put down the dates he had visited Rice's
ION June 20. you said. you had ac-
knowledged three papers for Mr.. Rice2''
asked Mr. Osborne.
He also said he had witnessed anoth-
did YOU see Mr.. Rice sign those pa
short-said he did. He said he signed the
three documents, and Rice then said;
YOU to- witness another paper, my last
will and testament"
The witness then said Rice handed the
will to Myers Patrick's law partner, who
glanced it over and returned it, and Mr..
papers: Myers and Short then signed as
Witnesses. Osborne handed witness the
will, which he identified The witness
also Identified three other papers as docu-
ments which he had executed as commits
sioner on June 30. When the will had
to take to Patricks Office
Did Mr. Rice say anything to you re-
garding the WilI2' asked Mr. Osborne.
YES, he asked me not to say anything
about it until after he was dead ane
Mr.. Osborne then examined Short at
length on his last visit to the house of
days before the death Of Mr.. Rice.
Mr.. Osborne then passed over the fnci>
dea tn Of Mr. Rice Witness related how
he had been sent to Swanson & Sons TO
that Mr.. Rice was dead at the time. Pat
rick had not told him
$50 You are positive Patrick sent you 10 /
cash Mr.. RieeRs check for IS coo and did
not tell you he was deadz Are You sure
of this2'' asked Mr. Osborne.
7 am" said the witness emphatically
The witness related how Swanson & /
Sens had refused to cash the check and !
said that he had learned Of Rlees death |
at their office. Subsequently witness told |
how he had been given a check for slS5,eo9 |
he had taken to the office of that com
pany to have it certified He succeeded |
mitted he had not mentioned the fact that |
Rice was dead at the bank
Patrick the witness said. upon his re |
turn from the office of Swanson & Sons.
had Informed him that Rice was dead, |
had passed away early on Sunday after |
noon
The first witness at the night session |
was Morris Never a lawyer who had |
served as a clerk in Patrick's office and +
the Iatter's arrest He said ali Patrick
books and office effects were sent to Pat