The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-02-19
VALET ON THE STAND
JONES TELLS STORY OF PATRICK's
VILLAINY.
MAKES A VERY GOOD START.
TELLS HOW PATRICK TRIED To
USE HIM.

Man Who Is Accused of Being Law
yer Pntrfci's TOOI I'm Comprising
the Death of Rice and in the Al
most Successful Attempt 10 secure
His Fortune, Tells OF How the Ac-
auniDtnncc Begun-says He Refus-
ed to Enter Into Pntrick's First
scheme to Write n Fraudulent
Letter.
New York, Feb. 1S.-After several
days OF examination and cross-exami-
nation of experts, new interest in the
trial of Albert Il. Patrick, accused of
the murder OF William Marsh Rice, was
aroused late In the afternoon, when
Charles f. Jones. Mr.. Rice's valet, who
has been charged with being the tool
of Lawyer Patrick in comprising the
death of the millionaire was put upon
the stand. by the state.
When Jones walked into the court
room he seemed weak and rather i'll at
ease. AS he began his testimony, how
ever. he became more self-possessed.
Jones said he was employed by Rice
In Houston, Tex, and came with him
to New York in May, 1897. He did
Rice's clerical work and wrote his
checks. He said Patrick called at
Rice's apartment in October, 1899, to see
Rice and said his name with Smith.
Rice was in bed and the defendant
said he would call again. This he did
about week later.
1T was about o'clock in the even
ing" said Jones. IL saw him in the
parlor. MIR. Rice was In the back
room. He spoke of Texas news. Eth
er at that visit or one he paid week
later, Patrick talked about the trial
of the claim against Mr.. Rice under
the will of Mrs. Rice. He seemed
much interested and asked IL the case
had been settled. He said the evidence
was very strong in favor of Mr. Holt"
'On his second visit, l think. he told
me he was Mr.. Holts lawyer. He told
me the terms of settlement had been
arranged, and said II l would write 1t
out on the typewriter he would get 1t
signed He gave me a sheet of paper,
the writing in pencil, that he wanted
copied"
Did Mr.. Rice see Mr.. Patrick?"
asked Mr.. Osborne for the state.
lie opened the door while Patrick
recognized him."
Pnfriets.s~ First scheme.
Patrick said he thought it would be
a good thing to have some old friend
write letter to Mr.. Rice suggesting a
compromise He spoke of Col. Whit
telsey, but | told him Judge Hill was
the only man who had any influence
upon Mr. Rice. Patrick said he was
sure he cold effect "a compromise IL he
could get an interview with Mr.. Rice.
But told him Mr.. Rice would not see
him II he wanted to talk about the
suit"
Led by Mr.. Osborne, Jones described
the letter Patrick wanted him to write.
The letter was to state that Mr.. Rice
had lost confidence in his Texas law
yer, but that he loved Texas, and want
ed to return there, and wanted the liti-
CATION settled. In reply to Mr.. Os-
bornes question Jones said:
Patrick was to give me $3.50 for It.
but he would not give me the money
unless / would go on the witness stand
and swear that Rice signed il. / re-
fused to give him the letter.
Patrick told me Mr.. Holt had given
him $500 and had promised him $40 900
when settlement of the litigation was
effected"
$25O?"
II was afraid to swear falsely"
Jones will be on the stand again to-
morrow.
The only other witness to-day was
John +. Tyrell. handwriting expert
of Milwaukee, Wis. who was on the
stand yesterday. He said the dlsput-
ed signatures were made by tracing.