New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-11-27
SAY THAT JONES RE1RACTS.
HIS FRIENDS IN TEXAS DECLARE THAT
HE CONFESSES TESTIMONY AGAINST
PATRICK WAS FALSE.


Houston Tex. Nov. 26.-C'harles +. Jones.
who the valet of w. NJ. Rice, for whose
murder Albert T. Patrick, the lawyer.
viCted in New-York, told several Of his friends
near this city while he here, It is said, that
his testimony at the trial of Patrick
false, and that Rice Zas not murdered
at all. Houston detectives have shad-
owed Jones since he returned to his home
near this place after the conviction of Patrick,
and have secured from friends and acquain-
tances of the valet affidavts TO the effect that
he told them that he placed the chloroform
cone over the face of Rice after Rice had died
from natural causes, so as TO make it appear
that the dead man had been murdered The
aff1davits further state that Jones said that his
action part of a conspiracy to throw sus
picion on Patrick, secure his conviction for the
murder of Rice and break the will alleged TO
have been made in the lawyers favor. thus di-
verting Rice's millions into other hands.
Two witnesses have gone 10 Ncw-York with
these affidavits to consult with Patrick's attor-
neys. Detective J. l. Mott, of this city. has had
charge of the case since the return of Jones from
NeW-York, and has secured the aftldavits by
means of which it is hoped TO secure a new
trial for Patrick While here Jones secluded
himself but occasionally associated with former
friends. He was here for about q month in the
early summer. but mysteriously disappeared. and
is supposed 10 be now somewhere in Colorado.
Il do not believe Assistant District Attorney
Osborne said last evening, that Jones would
fail 10 repeat on the witness stand If necessary,
the testimony he gave on the trial Of Patrick.
I have no doubt that he told the truth a
witness. Jones is not strong mentally. He
tried 70 commit suicide several times when he
was a prey to rerorse for the killing of old Mr..
Rice In the witness chair, however, he told
what he believed TO be the truth, and ] know
his story was true because had corrobora-
tion Of it, I told the jury that they might dis
regard the entire testimony Of Jones and still
find Patrick guilty.
THE testimony of DR.. Currie was sufficient
testified that earlier the day Mr.. Rice died
he examined Mr.. Rice and found that there was
nothing the matter with his lungs Yet that
evening his lungs were found TO he badly con
gested Mr Rice had been lying in bed all the
time with no opportunity 10 take cold. The
congestion could not he explained except by the
inhalation Of an irrtant gas, and Jones's state
rnent Of the administration Of the choroform
was merely an explanation It would be natural
for some persons interested in Patrick 10 try TO
get a recantation from Jones, but on the wit
ness stand II there another trial, Jones
would tell the story. because II would be
| the truth"
we have kept no track of Jones" Assistant
District Attorney CiaTNan said, "Since he went
| "a Texas He is under 81 0O0 bail to return here
and testify again if he is wanted, and ne could
he indicted and brought back II he refused 10
| come I have no doubt that he would repea-
| his former testimony If called as witness.