The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-02-19
Self Confessed Murderer of Rice
Tells Story Entirely New
to the Public.
FIRST DEALINGS WITH PATRICK.
Gives Detailed Account of the
Scheme, Into Which He Claims
That He Was Drawn
Defendant Nervous.

| REPUBLIC SPECIAL.
New York. Feb. ls.-Charles F. Jones.
self-confessed murderer OF an old man who
had trusted him. was called as u witness
to-day against his former ally. Albert T.
Patrick. whom he charged with having IN
spired the crime.
Jones told story entirely new to the
! public. giving the account of his first deal
ings with Patrick Of the first suggestion Of
fraud. OF the first offer of bribe. 1t was
very Interesting, the logical beginning Of a
tale eliminating in murder. the initial step
In 4 conspiracy TO obtain an estate worth
millions.
Held Auditors SpellbOund.
William Marsh Rice's former confden-
tial clerk and valet held his auditors SPELL
bound. Joness voice was low. but distinct.
Patrick raised his head. leaned back. tilted
his chair against the rail behind him and
surveyed Jones as he began his recital.
Jones said he was born in Harris County.
Texas. and spent some time in Galveston
and Houston prior to coming to New York
with Mr.. Rice.
Asked as to his first meeting with Patrick
Jones said:
"He came TO the house. No. 500 Madison
avenue. one night and gave his name as
Smith He said he was in a commercial
business Of some kind in Texas. He said
he n as anxious to see Mr. Rice. 1 said Mr..
Rice had gone TO bed or was going to bed,
and he could moi see him that evening.
He began to talk about Texas and about
the news there. and gave him some Texas
papers. He said he would call again within
hofn ho n
was there about an hour that evening"
Second Meeting With Patrick.
About a week later" continued the wit
ness. Patrick paid his second call. Pat
rick said something about the Holt case.
which was then pending-the suit of Mr.. o.
T. Holt of Houston against Mr.. Rice. We
talked at length about it. He understood
that / knew about the case. and asked me
II 1t had been settled. / said 1t had not
He told me that the evidence in Hollis
favor was very strong and finally revealed
his identity as Hollis counsel declaring that
without a doubt Mr.. Rice would lose.
He proposed to me that should write a
letter purporting to be from Mr.. Rice TO
Captain Baker In this Mr.. Rice was to
state that he was really a citizen of Texas,
that his interests were all there and that
could reurn to the State. II 1 would write
such a letter. he said he would arrange for
signing it. He left copy in pencil of about
the form he wanted the letter. He then
showed me a copy of paper which he said
he had obtained from the Tax Commission
ers This had Mr.. Rice's name signed to It
and was swearing off taxes in New York
as a citizen of Texas"
This visit of Patrick lasted about two
hours and after that the lawyer called prac-
tically every Thursday evening. Asked II
Patrick had ever seen Mr.. Rice during his
visits, Jones replied: Il think Mr.. Rice once
came TO the door. opened 1t and looked in
while he was there. but did not recognize
him.
'Was Anything said about communicate
ing with Mr.. Rice about settling the suit
the Holt suit?" was asked.
"On one of his visits some time between
November and January. 1900, Patrick said
he would like to get an old friend OF Mr.
Rice's to write a letter suggesting COM
promise. Colonel Whittlesey's name was
mentioned" Jones had expressed the opin-
ion at that time that nobody would have
any weight with Mr.. Rice on such a mis-
sion but Patrick said he was quite conf
dent thai If he could get to the old man
there would be settlement. To this Jones
had retorted that Mr.. Rice would not talk
to Patrick. knowing that he was Hollis at
torneY.
District Attorney Osborne drew Jones's
attention to slips Of paper on which Patrick
had written draft for letter. presumably
from Mr.. Rice to Captain Baker.
Jones said Patrick had asked him to make
a carbon copy and to give him the original,
holding the copy until 1t should be required
in court. In this letter Mr.. Rice was to be
made to say he had lost confidence in Cap
tain Bakers firm and to give directions for
an immediate settlement of the suit. Jones
was afraid TO keep copy. as Mr.. Rice had