New-York tribune., 1902-02-01
JONES'S BROTHER ON STAND
CAN'T TESTIFY TILL. CONNECTION Be
TWEEN PATRICK AND VALET
IS SHOWN

William lie Fevre Jones, a brother of the valet
who confessed that he murdered William Marsh
Rice al the instigation of Albert r. Patrick. was
called as a witness in the Patrick murder trial
yesterday. Assistant District Attorney Osborne
wanted to bring out by testimony that the wit
ness had purchased poison in Galveston, Tex,
and had sent it TO the valet When the witness
was sworn he said he captain of a schooner
trading between Buffalo Bayou and Trinity
River, in Texas The examination continued as
follows:
Q.-You have a brother? A Yes Charles F.
Jones
Q..z-Did you receive letter from him in 1900?
A-Yes; one letter
Q.-What did you do when you received that let
teri Al went to drug store in Galveston, Tex
Recorder Goff temporarily overruled an objec
ton of counsel for Patrick that Patrick could
not be held responsible for acts of Charles F.
Jones.
What did you do there?" Mr.. Osborne asked
but before the witness could say he had bought
poison TO send to his brother in New-York. Pat
rick's counsel again protested.
Mr. Osborne explained that he had shown that
Mr. Rice was poisoned, and that the defendant
was in possession of the fruits of the crime.
IF you can show the connection between
Jones and this defendant" the Recorder ruled.
that testimony is pertinent. Otherwise must
exclude it,"
1T seems TO me-" urged Mr.. Osborne. that
we have proved the connection. We have shown
Patrick in possession of the checks, we have
shown that when the bank telephoned to Jones,
Jones telephoned to Patrick Still, can call
Captain Jones later If your honor rules"
II do so rule. l sustain the objection" said
the Recorder. after the witness had told him he
had received letter from his brother some time
in July, 1900
RICE's TEXAS AGENT.
A. B. Cohn, who testified on Thursday that he
was clerk and agent for Mr. Rice IN Texas for
years, and who swore that the Ice siFratures
on the Swenson checks and the 1900 Vll were
not in the handwriting of Mr.. Rice. was sub
jected to a long cross-examination by Patricks
counsel yesterday Part of it ran follows:
Q.-How are you employed now? Al am EN-
ployed by the William NJ. Rice Institute ana oy the
Rice estate.
ostt pay % 4o Of b az TRd " Thst ce R6s g0q and
the aRRsX sS am pa paid 81 $50 e month ont W NJ R,ce
alive? Am 1885, the last time l was In New
Q.-Before you were examined in court you knew
Captain Bakers opinion OF each or those sig
natures? Al did, but that never influenced me
Mr.. Osborne read an agreement between the
Rice heirs and the trustees of the William NJ.
Rice Institute. providing for the payment of
about 1913 600 TO the heirs and the withdrawal
of all opposition 10 the probate of the Rice will
of 1896.
Henry Oliver. of Montreal formerly general
manager Of the Planters oil Company, of
Houston. Tex, testified that Mr.. Rice owned ~
per cent Of the company's stock, that great loss
had been suffered by the company from the
Galveston storm and from fire on September TO-
1900, and that application had been made to Mr.
Rice aid in re-establishing the works. He
identified some letters and telegramS which Mr.
Osborne wanted to put in evidence 10 show that
Mr.. Rice intended to transfer S25O,OOO from
New-fOrk banks to pay for rebuilding the works
lfNdS. keCOrQcT
the objections Of Patrick's counsel. The witness
said he did not believe Mr.. Rice wrote several of
the disputed signatures which were in evidence.
He said the signature to the will Of 1895 was
genuine.
Did you ever receive a communication from
Mr.. Rice. either before or after his death?"
asked Mr.. Osborne at one point
After his death ?" quered Mr.. House. OF Pat
rick's counsel
Yes, sir" replied Mr Osborne We'll show
you some queer things before we get through
with this case"
SAYS THE SIGNATURES WERE FORGED.
William NJ. Rice. ir.. a nephew Of the late
William Marsh Rice. testified TO going TO the
City Prison to serve a notice on Patrick al one
Of the executors of the 1900 will. He said he
had been friendly with his uncle but he never
had heard that his uncle had had friendly or
business relations with Patrick. He declared
the disputed signatures Of Mr.. Rice to be
forgeries When he was cross-examined by Pat
rick's counsel he asked 10 compare the
terms of the 1900 will with the 1896 will. and
that gave Mr. Osborne opportunity TO de
mand the admission of the 1896 will in evidence.
The Recorder finally admitted the will on the
ground that II competent to show the in
terest OF the witness. He said he had refused
TO admit II before because Mr. Osborne had
Of Mr.. Rice and such the prosecution could
raise a proper foundation by proving that Pat
rick had had access TO the will before the death
Of Mr.. Rice.