The Washington times. (Washington [D.C.]) 1901-1902, 1902-02-19
TESTIMONY OF jones,
RICE'S VALET, begun
Tells of His First Meeting
With the Defendant.
WAS ASKED TO WRITE LETTER.
Patrick. He Alleges. Proposed to
Forge Old Mans Nnmc-Dcmund
for an Affidavit Made by the Prose
cution mt Close of Court.

NEW YORK, Feb. 1S.-Charles F. Jones,
the principal witness for the prosecution
In the trial of Albert T. Patrick. charged
with the murder of William NJ. Rice, was
called late this afternoon.
He is to tell the jury that he did the
murder at the instigation of Patrick, but
that part of his story will not come until
tomorrow or next day. 1t was so late
when he went the witness stand today
that he had only time to begin the repeti-
tion of his confession and tell how he be-
came acquainted with Mr.. Patrick.
All but the last half hour of today's ses-
sion was occupied by Robert NJ. Moore.
one of Patrick S lawyers. in the cross ex-
animation OF an expert witness on hand
writing.
For the first time in three weeks there
was big crowd at the trial.
Patrick and Jones Cool.
Patrick gave no sign that he was ner-
yous or that he dreaded the coming of the
chief witness against him and his former
accomplice.
Jones was twenty-seven years old two
weeks ago He was a match for Patrick
so far as GOODNESS was concerned, al
though he did not once look at the
prisoner. Jones was employed by Rice as
clerk and valet at Houston, Tex, and
came to this city with his employer on
May 10. 1897 In telling OF his first meet
ing with Patrick the witness added one
new feature to the testimony he had given
at the preliminary hearing. 1t was that
Patrick first went to the Rice house at 500
Madison Avenue under an assumed name.
First Meeting With Patrick.
When did you first meet the defend
anti" asked the assistant district attor-
ney.
In November, 1899" replied Jones.
Patrick came to the house and asked to
see Mr.. Rice. He said that his name was
Smith. I told him that Rice had gone to
bed and that he could not see him. /
gave Patrick some Texas newspapers and
we had talk about affairs in Texas
Did Patrick call again."
Yes, he called about once a week after
that first visit and stayed about two hours
each time. On his second or third visit
he told me his real name, and that he
Will Mr.. Rice was then fighting. We
talked about the will.
Asked 10 Write Letter.
He told me that Mr.. Rice was about
beaten in the litigation. and had better
settle. He asked me to write a letter to
Captain Baker. Mr.. Rice's lawyer in Tex
as. to which Mr.. Rice's signature was to
be forged. He gave me a lead pencil copy
of what he wanted, and asked me to put
it en- the typewriter.
The substance of the letter was that
Mir. Rices home was in Teas and that
he was tired of staying out of it to prove
his residence in New York so as to de-
feat his wife's heirs. The letter also in
structed Captain Baker to make some
sort Of compromise at once with the
heirs. Patrick said that he would give
me $3.50 for making a copy of the letter
on Mr.. Rice's stationery and s., 600 more
when the will case was settled
Destroyed the Copy.
He was going to use it somehow
against Rice. l made a copy. but he re-
fused to give me the $3.50 when he prom
ised it. SO l did not give him the letter.
/ destroyed it after while"
What else did Patrick say or do?"
He asked me if Mr. Rice had anv
lawyer in New York l told him that
Rice had received advice from Wheeler
H. Peckham. Then Patrick said that he
knew if he could once get into direct con-
hdential communication with Mr. Rice he
could induce the old man 10 settle with
his wife's heirs. told him that Rice
would have nothing to do with him. Then
he suggested third person. and named
Colonel Whittlesey."
Had Never Met Rice.
did Patrick and Rice ever see each
other at the house,
Patrick never saw Rice Rice opened
the parlor door one night and Just glanced
in for second, but he did not know Pat
rick, md he did not speak"
Did Patrick say anything about any
other document"
Yes; he showed me an affidavit pur-
porting to have been signed by Rice and
swearing off personal taxes in New York
because he was citizen of Texas"
Demanded Affidavit.
Now said the assistant district at
torney. Il call on the defendent TO pro-
duce that affidavit"
Il object" said Mr.. Moore, ito even so
much as that request going on the record.
II is highly improper for the district at
torney to call upon the defendant TO pro-
duce evidence against himself"
The assistant district attorney then said
that he had served notice on the defend
ants lawyers to produce the affidavit in
question and that if It was not produced
copy of it would be put in by the prose-
cution. He also asked that a copy Of that
he Ia an ba
admitted as evidence.
Mr.. Moore objected. Recorder Golf re-
served his decision until tomorrow and
adjourned court