The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1902-03-05
EXPERTS TESTIFIED
Jurors in Patrick Murder Case Given
More Lessons In Writing.
WETHERBEE ON STAND.
Jones Story Of Proposition Made 10
Him Was COrrObOrated.
RECORDER G0FF WAS SEVERE.
Few DeyatiOns From a Straight Line of
Inquiry Permitted.
STENOGRAPBER MANNERS TESTIMONY
Was 10 Show that MIR, Rice Was Not
Acquainted With the Defendant,
an important Point.
RECORDER GOFF WAS SEVERE,
Few DeyiatiOnS From Straight Line of
Inquiry Permitted.
STENOGRAPHER MANNERS TESTIMON'
Especial 20 The POST

!
viyal Of interest in the Patrick trial today,
as the impression had gained ground that
tho prosecution mignt be able TO close It's
case today aud, such being the case. It was
probable that some unexpected testimony
might bc brought out Mr.. Osborne stated
before the trial opened today that the prose
cuiion might be able to rest tonight aud
when this was given out there was an int
mediate looking over tho court room 10 ind
! II possible IL any important Witnesses were
In sight who would he ready to be called
10 the stand. Cayallho was waiting to go
on the stand IN behalf ot the prosecution
That this expert could give his testimony
IN any short order WAS not generally he
lieved and at tho close tonight he had moi
so much MS been sworn in There Is little
chance that even another day will see the
end Of tho peoples direct evidence.
Mr.. Truesdalc was on the stand when the
case opened today. Various alleged for
geries were presented 70 him and MIR.
Moore, who was crosseIamning, handed
enlarged photographs to tho Jury OF admit
tcdlv true copies Of MIR. Rice's signature.
That body, now well educated in the science
~ handwriting, looked interested and crit
| ical as the defense tried to shake the test
monv n the witness. II has been no
ticed that I'm this trial the experts have not
as rule been so positive as they were In
previous trials. At the same time. the
cross-examninE Of the defense has not been
So ant tn shake their direct examination.
John W. Truesdale testified yesterday
that the disputed signatures were forgerles
| OF the name Of w. NJ Rice.
Today Robert NJ Moore ~ Pstrinks coun
| sci showed tho witness some conceded sig
natures which ne said resemhled more close
| " tn" disputed signatures than those put
/ In evidence by the prosecution and the
witness said II was true that In some NJ
them rho shaded down strokes" aud the
other mauucrisms of Mr.. Ricc's handwrit.
ing were lacking
| Mr.. Wrthcrbee told OF conversation
! with Mr.. Rice on January f. 1900. and Of
q visit Jones made Ia him two days later
/ Tho defense objected TO the witness tcStl
| fyng as 90 this conversation on tho ground
that Jones had mot been sufficiently cor.
rohorBtcd Is 10 the existence OF a con
spirary to commit murder. The objection
was sustained.
Assistant District Attorney Osborne then
called William j. Kinscy, the expert in
handwriting. Tho recorder said there had
been enough handwriting expert testimony
and told SIr. Osborne that IL he put Mr.
Knslcy on the stand he would not lot him
examine any more bank letters.
Mr.. Kinsley Was excused and Mr. os.
borne recalled Mr.. wctherhee and repeated
the questions before ruled ont by tnr court.
The defense objected, but the recorder re-
yerscd the former ruling and allowed the
questions.
Zones called upou me-" wctherbee said.
| IL.
for me to ask MIR, Rice for money and that
Mr. Rice was done with me. Then he
brought up the subject Of the 1896 will
and asked me II was not witness TO IL.
l said | was
Mr. Wcthcrbce said he discussed the
terms of the 1896 will with Jones.
Jones told me. the witness went on
''Mr. Rice had accused me Of stealing u
5000 boud. OF course told hi7 taat was
false, hut nc said J had better not go Ia
Mr.. Riccs house again. Then he said.
! have business proposition to make 10
you.' ! asked him what 1t was. He said
he had prepared new will for Rice TO
Sign lie suggested that he hiring the will
to me for consideration. said I did not
want to soc H. He told me the names Or
tho executors If the 1895 win and PRO
posed that lei my name he substituted
for Judge Bartine. Jones said some
times Mr.. Rice goes TO siep in a chair and
he wakes w "dopey on those occasions
! eau get bin IN sign anything. We can
6T NJ the will, then you get ono witness
and I'll get the other. Noul make good
thing out Of It and no one will he the loser.
! declined the proposition. Jones told me
his lawyers had been after him aud had
suggested the idea. ] asked him n Mir.
Rice knew the lawyers and he said he had
met one Of them. Jones said the viii could
be drawn SO that the mouths Of all the
heirs under the 1896 viii would be closed
by legacies'
Wetherbee's crosseEamnation was post.
! poned until tomorrow.
Leonard n, Malallr. for eighteen years
paying teller AZ the Phoenix bank. testified
that in Ills opinion none OF the disputed
signatures We're written boy the same hand
that wrote the conceded signatures.
Recorder Con was particularly severe To-
day aud allowed few dcyiatlons from the
direct line OF Inquiry.
Mr. Turner ~ Chicago. one OF Patrick
counsel. has IA the last dag or two lie.
coule an Influence 10 the trial. showing 10y
his questioning Il the witnesses aud his
! apparent suggestions 10 his colleagues his
cleyerness and value TO the defendant
other experts IN Handwriting followed
Nv rpsaasasiS srd tS~r - nostN's.. A.