Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-04-08
FLAYS
VALET JONES
Lawyer Charged With Murder Of
Millionaire Rice Makes His
First Statement
SAYS JONES Is FREE FROM BLAME
Docs Not Believe He Will Be Tried
on Criminal Charge Before
aJury.

New York, April S.-Lawyer Albert
Il. aPtrick, who is charged with the
murder of Millionaire William Marsh
Rice, made a statement last night con-
corning the case. He had been asked
10 say something concerning story
printed in a morning paper to the ef-
feet that valet Jones had spent sew
eral hours. accompanied by police
man attached to the district attor-
ney's office, in touring the tenderloin
district. According to this story hO-
tells, concert halls and gardens and
theaters had been visited by the pris-
Oner and his attendants and dozens of
drinks taken. On this point Lawyer
Patrick said:
Il have known that this kind of
thing has been going on for several
weeks. | could not have sworn that
such was the case, but l have heard
from various sources that Jones was
plentifully supplied with money, was
taken out buggy riding and was other
wise treated with kindness and con-
sideration."
Patrick then went on to speak of
the Rice murder case. This is the
first time that he has made any state
nIent since his arrest. He said:
Guilty of Conspiracy.
"Jones never killed w. NJ. Rice. Had
he done so he never would have teSti-
fed to it. especially as the district at
torney has promised him no immunity,
nor would his counsel, even though
provided by Captain Baker, have per-
mitted him TO do so. His confidence
is due to the fact that w. NJ. Rice at
Il sNfO Il tod Of naR.f fol ilrfpn
did his brother. +. A. Rice, yesterday,
at the age of 40, and there will never
be any proof otherwise. The only
crime of which Jones is guilty is that
of conspiring against the 1900 will,
and that of perjury in the present pro-
ceedings. His fairy story is the result
of a collaboration with Captain James
A Baker, Jones' lawyer, Mr.. Battle.
who is hired by Baker. Assistant Dis
trict Attorney Osborne. and Professor
Witthaus, the professional expert,
whose report Osborne for the last six
months has been expecting in n few
days. and who swore that Rice died of
Inercurial poisoning, if he did not die
of something else.
Imprisoned on Forgery Charge.
"The object of Jones story is to
have me held in prison pending the
in prison six months on the forgery
charge, without even being indicted,
and | do not believe that there is any
serious intention to try me on GRIM
inal charge before a jury. My arrest
on a murder charge and the desperate
attempt to hold me is due entirely to
my ability and attempt to give bail
upon any less serious charge. The
stock in trade of the opposition to the
hi. e,1r. Il Il ION
strated ability to control the district
portion presided over by Osborne, over
which there seems to be no admins
trative supervision.
$50 far the tactics employed
a gainst me have been the giving out
by Mr.. Osborne continually of state |
ments known by him to be false in
order to cause the public to prejudge
me guilty, so as TO justify false inn
prisonment and to prevent fair trial; |
the wrongful Imprisonment of myself |
and the holding by detectives OF those
" no appear to favor me; the abuse OF |
the process of the courts by wrong
fully subpoening in the name of the |
court persons to personally appear be- |
fore him and submit to examinations |
in his office.
Rehearses Chlorororm Story.
'sThe use under the gulse or wit |
nc sses of professional handwriting eX- |
perts to swear that the signatures or
the 1900 will. checks, assignments. |
etc. are forgeries and the procuring |
of false testimony are all in the same |
limo Jones Swore on the witness |
stand. and Osborne admitted it in open |
court, that Jones had informed Os-
torne about January that Jones had |
killed Mr. Rice with cbloroform and
fhat subsequently in collaboration /
complaint charging me with killing |
Rice with mercurial poison was made /
at~the instance of Osborne. in an at |
tempt to deprive me of all knowledge |
of the nature of the accusation against |
me until he had used as witnesses |
those whom he supposed to be for me. |
Permitted to Roam the Streets.
81 have been informed that Jones |
has been for several weeks past per- |
mitted TO roam the streets. So far rs
/ am concerned l have no objection. |
provided that Jones be kept within the /
Jurisdiction of the court. 1t would
take but little corroboration TO con-
yict Jones upon his own confession, |
hut ii would take a great deal TO con-
vict me upon Jones accusation. If
| am held or indicted for murder Jones
Will certainly be also, and would
surely be acquitted. innocent though
he Is. and then he would surely be
for no hand could save
him Jones is stalking his life upon
the ability of the handwriting experts
TO discredit Rice's signature. which
Jones saw him write and which he 1
shows by his numerous statements
and uncertain testimony that lie knows
Rice signed.
Scoins Personal Revenge
"Jones may rest assured that those /
for whom. he. has outlawed.. himself