Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-01-03

munity law OF the state she hid been
entitled to n share in all her husbands
possessions. He made n claim for
about S2,5O0.O00. and n bitter litigation
resulted, in which Patrick was at one
time retained against Rice.
1t is believed by the district attorney
that Patrick never saw Rice. The aged
man was very angry about the suit,
and he declared it had been scheme
to fleece him under preteXt of law.
Though he knew Patrick by name.
there was no evidence that they ever
came together. Patrick settled in New
York in 1891 He was then a widower
with two small children. and for some
time before his arrest he boarded in a
house kept by Mrs Addie Francis, to
whom he was married in the Tombs.
He formed the acquaintance OF
Jones in 1899 and soon became init
mate with him. Through Jones lie
found Rice had made n will leaving
some minor requests to friends and
relatives. but giving most of his for
tune to the William NJ. Rice institute
of Houston, Tex, which he had found
ed some years before. Patrick then
suggested that this will was unjust, as
it gave too small proportion to rela
tives and too much to charitable fad.
He showed to the valet q few days
afterward n rough draft of n will by
the terms of which each one of the
beneficiaries received two or three
times as much as under the original
document and naming himself as the
residuary legatee. The plan was then
perfected to get hold of the estate,
with the understanding that the money
should go in the first instance to Pat
rick, who agreed to give a liberal share
to Jones.
The first cause for suspicion against
Patrick was the presentation of
check for $4,000 at the banking house
of Swenson & Son in New York. The
cashier noticed that on the face of
the check Patrick's Christian name
was spelled Albert" and he told the
bearer the signature must conform
to this spelling. He then rang up
Rice's apartment on the telephone.
Jones answered and began by saying
his employer was too i'll to talk, but,
as the cashier insisted upon hearing
from the man, the valet finally admit
ted he was dead. Swenson & Son re-
fused to pay the check and notified
the authorities.
Patrick, who had succeeded in get
ting one check cashed. took possession
of the Rice apartment, gave orders
that the body should be embalmed
Immediately and arranged to have it
cremated. He asserted his right IN
der the will which he had prepared.
which made him executor and gave
him the greater part OF the estate.
He was soon ousted from the place
and arrested for forgery. He was at
that time suspected of murder, but
the proof was deemed insufficient.
Jones. who was sent to the TombS
with him, made an attempt at suicide
by cutting his throat. He said after
ward Patrick had given him the knife
and induced him to use 1t, telling him
he would surely go to the electric
chair. Jones then made Il confession.
His first story was that Patrick had |
actually killed Rice. but within a |
few days he admitted 1t was he who |
had administered the drug and that |
Patrick. who had inspired the crime. |
had not been present.
AS the price of his testimony, which |
convicted Patrick, Jones received his |
freedom He went to the southwest. |
and he is alleged to have told different |
persons that the story he told on the |
witness stand was untrue. Il