The Savannah morning news., 1901-04-04

atives in the WILL which was destroyed
on the day following Rice's DEATH were
too small, and that it would be impos-
sibly to get it probated, Patrick, Jones
said, then had the so-called Patrick
will' drawn.
Jones said before he was locked up he
made a statement which was entirely fic-
tuous and Of which he could not recall
even the most salient features.
Jones then told how Mr.. House had been
appointed lawyer for both Patrick and
himself. From here Jones passed to his
attempt to commit suicide.
"On the day before the attempt was
made" said Jones. Patrick and I had a
talk in the reception room at the Tombs
Patrick told me his means were exhaust
ed, and that we We're in desperate
straits. Patrick wanted me to shoulder
the responsibility for the thing. told
him ISwould not confess unless could
tell straight story. l said l would
rather kill myself on account of the dis.
grace of the thing. Patrick said that
this might be the best thing for us both,
and said he would kill himself, too. He
said he had a small knife in his cell
The knife would do for one and he would
try to get some carbolic acid from Mr.
Potts.
His Attempt at Suicide.
ne gave me the Knife. | put it in my
shoe and took it to my cell. Later
Potts called. Patrick told me Potts would
not get him the poison. About o'clock
in the afternoon, after / had gotten the
knife ] sat IN my cell writing some let
ters and preparing for the end. Just then
| was called to the district attorneys Of
nee. While there 1 made confession.
was brought back to my cell in the even
ing and at about o'clock in the morning
l tried to cut my throat"
Jones then told of being taken to Belle
vue and there making a new confession
The new confession is the one on which
his present testimony is based.
Jones explained to-day what he meant
yesterday when he said that Patrick did
not wish Rice to live until Monday. as
on that day a draft would be payable
The witness said that week or so before
the death of Rice certain oil wells in
Texas. in which he was interested.
We're destroyed by fire. Rice re-
solved to rebuild them and
bound himself to provide nearly
100000 for the rebuilding. On the
strength of this the oil well people drew
for $4,000, the draft being payable on
Monday, Sept. "a. Jones testified again to-
day that Patrick wished to avoid the
payment of this money!
Il said" witness continued ION Satur-
day that the old man would probably
drop off. Patrick said he would not re-
ly on that, but had TO get him out Of the
way the next day"
Notified Rice's Relatives.
A number of kilograms sent by Jones
notifying relatives of Rice's death were
placed in evidence
They all read alike. setting forth that
Rice died under the care of a physician
and that the death certificate gave as
cause diarrhoea, old age and heart fail
ure, concluding with notice Of funeral.
A check was then produced and placed
In evidence This check. which it is al
legged was forged, was for the salary of
Texas employe of Rice named Cohen.
Jones testified that the check was forg-
ed and forwarded to Texas to see wheth-
er the signature would pass the bank
At the afternoon session Assistant Dis
trict Attorney Garvin asked Jones few
unimportant questions regarding the
sums of money given by Rice to the Will
lam Marsh Rice Institute. Jones' cross
examination was then begun by Attor-
ney Moore.
what took place at police headquarters,
as the story he had told was largely
fictitious.
Jones admitted having told Capt Nc
Clusky that Rice had instructed Patrick
to draw a new will and had given Jones
the checks on Saturday to give to Pat
rick.
Jones said that some time between Oct.
26 and Oct. 80 he was taken to the dis
trict attorneys office and kept until 3
o'clock in the morning making his first
confession. Assistant District Attorney
Osborne produced the statement made
by Jones on that occasion, and 1t was
marked for identfcat ton.
Jones then in answer to questions, de-
MED that various statements made by
him in the confession were true.
witness Could Not BE Ratified.
when did you make your last con-
fession?'
':At the house of detention last Jan
uaFy; Mr.. Osborne and Mr.. Battle were
present"
What promise was made you to get
you to make this confession?"
"A good many promises have been
made to me, but none of a definite ma
ture."
do you mean to tell me that you will
lingly made this confession, knowing that
1t will bring you to the electric chair?"
II did not exactly think 1t would bring
me to the chair" witness faltered.
Witness finally said that he made this
confession because he would not perjure
himself.
"Mr. Battle told me-" witness said,
that If told the truth 1 would receive
less punishment"
Ibid not Mr.. Battle tell you that he had
seen Mr.. Osborne and that his promise
was a result of talk with him?"
HE said Mr.. Osborne said / had told
so many stories and none of them could
be corroborated. Mr.. Battle told me
must tell the truth If my story was to be
corroborated"
you wanted your story that you chic
reformed poor old Rice corroboratedY %
asked Mr.. Moore.
II suppose it would have to be cor
roborated to be believed" witness replied
"You wanted to be corroborated to get
hung?" broke in Mr.. Moore.
Were you not promised that II you
made this statement your punishment
would be less severe-that, in fact, you
would escape death?"
II was told that nothing could be done
for me unless 1 told the truth" the witt
ness replied
Adjournment was taken until to-mor.
row.
FROM CHICAGO TO HAMBURG.