The age-herald., 1902-02-19
His Narrative Arouses interest
 in Patrick Trial
TELLS OF THE CONSPIRACY
Jones Says Patrick Offered Him $25o to Write Letter to Effect That Rice Had Lost Confidence In
 His Texas Lawyer.

New York, February 1S.-After several days of examination and cross-examina- ton of experts, new interest in the trial of Albcrt T. Patrick, accused of the mur- der of William Marsh Rice, was aroused late in the afternoon when Charles F.. Jones, MT. R1ce's valet who has been charged with being the tool of Lawyer Patrick is compassing the death of the millionaire, was put upon the stand by the State.
 When Jones walked into the courtroom he seemed weak and rather ill at ease. As he began his testimony, however, he became more self-possessed. Jones said .Ie wSs employed by Rice in Houston. Tex, and came with him to New York in May, 1S97 He did his clerical work and wrote his checks. Patrick, he said. called at Rices apartment in October 1S99 to see Rice and said his name was Smith. Rice was in bed and the defendant said ..e would call again. This he did about a week later.
 Tt was about 8 o'clock in the even ing said Jones. "I saw him in the par Tor. Mr. Rice was in the back room. He spoke of Texas news. Either at that visit or one he paid a week later Patrick talked about the trial of the claim against Mir Rice under the will of Mrs Rice. lie seemed much interested and asked if the affair had been settled. He said the evidence was very strong in fa- vor of Mir. Holt.
 Would Get 1t Signed.
 'S0n his second visit I think he told me he was MT. Holt's lawyer. He told me the terms of a settlement had been ar ranged and said if I would write it out on a typewriter ne would get it signed. He gave me a sheet of paper with the writing fin pencil that he wanted copied"
 Did Mir Rice see Patrick" asked MT. Osborne for the State.
 He opened the door while Patrick was talking to me. I don't think he recogniz- ed him. Patrick said he thought it would be a good thing to have some old friend write a letter to MT. Rice suggesting compromise. He spoke of Colonel Whit tlesy, but I told him Judge Hill was the only man who had any influence with MT. Rice. Patrick said he was sure he could effect a compromise 1T he could get an interview with MT. Rice. But I told him MT. Rice would not see him if he wanted to talk about the suit.
 Led by MT. Osborne, Jones described the letter Patrick wanted him to write. The letter was to state that MT. Rice had lost confidence in his Texas lawyer but that he loved Texas and wanted to return there and wanted the litigation settled In reply to MT. Osborne's ques- tion Jones said
 Was to Pay Him $25o.
 Patrick was to give me $250 for it but he would not give the money unless l would go on the witness stand and swear that Rice signed it. I refused to give him the letter.
 Patrick told me MT. Holt had given him $500 and had promised him $10,00C when a settlement of the litigation was affected.
 Why did you not agree to earn that $25O?"
 "I was afraid to swear falsely"
 Jones will be on the stand again to- morrow.
 The only other witnesses of the day was John G. Tyrell. a handwriting expert of Milwaukee, Wis, who was on the stand. He said the disputed signatures were made by tracing. His cross-examination by Mr. Moore was long and uninten- esting and principally related to the shdd- ings in the admitted and disputed writ ings.