The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-02-28
JONES' GREAT FAITH.
Millionaire Rice's Valet Trusted
Patrick Implicitly.

| New York, Feb. 2S.-The cross-exami-
nation of Valet Jones was continued
in the case of Albert Patrick, accused
of the murder of Millionaire Rice.
Jones had said that he promised to
sell to Patrick for $3.50 a letter bearing
Rice's name and purporting to be an
acknowledgment of Rice that he was
resident of Texas but that Patrick
never paid the money. Today the wit
ness said he did not lose his trust in
Patrick because of the failure to pay
this money. II trusted him much
that let him leave me out of the will,
said Jones. 1T was his manner of talk
ing that made me trust him. Mr..
Moore, who was conducting the cross
examination, then asked: did not Pat
rick speak to you in Rice,s presence OF
the affidavit swearing off his New York
taxes 2'
NO. replied Jones. Mr.. Moore then
went back to the different statements
made by Jones and then asked if he did
not make them with the object of pro-
tecting himself and if he had not been
afraid of the truth in his earlier state
ments. Jones replied that at first he
did not think the truth would help him,
but he said that fact had been i'm
pressed upon him very forcibly.
A letter written by Rice about a week
before his death concerning the burned
oil works in Texas was read to the jury
at the request of Mr. Moore, who said
that it would show that Mr.. Rice had
not made up his mind to rebuild the
oil works.
Mr.. Moore asked Jones to tell again
his story of the choloroform article in a
magazine about which he had talked 20
PatriclS and from which, he had testified
the idea of the killing of Mr.. Rice was
developed Jones said he told about the
article at his examination before Justice
Jerome, but he could not remember ii
he had told in that court all the details
he had since told to Mr.. Osborne.
The assistant district attorney object
ed to this line of cross-examination but
Recorder Golf oVerruled him.
Il desire to give the defendant" said
the recorder, every possible chance. If
there is any doubt in my mind shall
stretch the law as far as possible in ia
vor of the defendant"
Mr.. Moore then questioned Jones about
Mr.. Rice's condition the day before his
death. Mr.. Rice was very weak. Jones
said, and was "out of his head at in
tervals all that day. Mr.. Moore read to
the jury the complaint sworn to by
JONES' upon which Patrick was arrested.
1t accused Patrick of administering
large quantities of mercury and other
poisons to said William NJ. Rice. the eff
fects from which the said William NJ.
Rice did die
You never saw Mr.. Rice awake after
he went to sleep on Sunday at 4?'' Mr..
Moore asked.
You went out for a walk. you have
told us?"
Yes. I was away for about forty
Mr. Rice was in the same position
when you returned as he was when you
left the apartments?"
HE was"
'.Then, as far as you know, Mr.. Rice
may have been dead when you re-
turned?"
Wen, thought he was asleep"
Mr.. Moore read from Jones' testimony
hdf n
to like question of counsel, & just
opened the door and looked in. Mr.
Rice was lying quietly. He may have
been dead"
Jones said DR.. Curry told him the day
Rice died that the old man was in a
critical condition 1t was about three
chloroform cone from Rice's face that
DIR. Curry arrived. The doctor exam
ined the body. and put his face close to
Rice's to see if he still breathed. The
witness then told of the removal of the
body for an autopsy and of its return
to the house
did DR.. Curry say to Patrick" Mr..
Moore asked, g AN autopsy has been
performed on this body For your own
protection you had better call some
other doctor and have another autopsy,
and did Patrick reply, Quite unneces-
sary. There has been nothing wrong
here'?'
Il did not hear any of that. I have
no recollection of such a talk replied
The cross-examination ended here and
Mr.. Osborne began a redirect eXamina-
ton. Jones said the district attorney
told him at one of their interviews that |
he must tell the whole truth. because |
the truth was always consistent and
easy of confederation Mr.. Osborne tried
to recall certain incidents of the inter- |
view to the recollection of the witness
Mr.. Moore objected to his question as
leading
Il am on trial here" the assistant
district attorney declared. THE accusa- |
ton is made that I supplied Jones with |
a story could not corroborate- I wish |
to show that the charge is false"
Jones was allowed to answer. He de- |
clared that all that Mr.. Osborne had |
asked from him was the truth.
Now, JONES' asked Mr.. Osborne. |
was it not prior to January, 1901, that |
you first said that you were the man |
who committed the murder?" i
Yes, / told Mr.. House" Mr.. House |
was Patrick's senior counsel and was |
counsel for Jones for a time
Mr.. Moore objected to this question |
and answer and Mr.. Osborne was argu- |
ing the point when court was adjourned |
until tomorrow.