Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-05
Enjoys Unusual Advantage.

Enjoys Unusual Advantage.
Unlike most institutions Of learning, in
this and other countries, which have been
compelled to begin on a small foundation.
and frequently with single building, and
develop gradually with economy and
prudence, the Rice Institute will be
created as a single task. When the ar
chitects withdraw 1t will stand as a COM
plete group Of harmonious buildings
erected by broad-minded trustees, who
believe in the potency OF noble and i'm
pressive architecture, in inspiring and in
f1uencing the students who will live and
study within the walls. The environment
at present is not inviting. 1t is fiat, I'M
lovely tract Of farming land embra cling
about 300 acres. There are a few fine
trees and a sluggish stream. No artist
would have chosen it as a scene for land
scape gardening. but the founder of the
haps as attractive as any that could be
found in the neighborhood Of Houston.
However, it will be seen what skill and
taste can do toward converting it into an
attractive campus.
The founder of the institute was Will
liam Marsh Rice, a native of Massachu-
sets, who emigrated to Texas at an early
day, became a ranchman and cattle deal
er and acquired an enormous tract of
land In Harris county, near Houston. Mr..
| &C.,
railroad builder, and real estate operator
at Houston, where he made a fortune Of
many millions of dollars. About ten years
ago he retired from active business and
went to New York to enjoy we'll earned
rest. He lived simply and took life easy
within comfortable home managed by
valet named Jones. whom he carried
with him from Texas. His business af-
fairs were looked after by Albert T. Pat
rick, a lawyer of good reputation, who
had practiced for many years in Hous-
ton and had been Mr.. Rice's confidential
adviser and legal counsel.
In 1891 Mr.. Rice made a will, which
Patrick prepared at his dictatiOn, leaving
his entire fortune to a board of six self
perpetuating trustees to found in Hous-
ton Tho Rice Institute of Literature,
Science and Art The original endow-
ment was about six million dollars. but
1t has increased in value 80 rapidly that
it is now nearer ten million, and is large
ly invested In lands. which will grow
more and more valuable as the popula-
ton OF Texas increases.
Rice's Mysterious Death.
Everybody will remember the mystery
surrounding the death Of William Marsh
Rice in New York about ten years ago.
Jones. his valet. made confession In
which he said that he had chloroformed
his master under the hypnotic influence
of Albert T. Patrick. Jones was released
from custody and came back to Texas.
where he is now living in seclusion with
out friends or money. Everybody be-
lieves that he was in collision with Pat
rick and turned states evidence in order
to save his own neck Patrick is in Sing
Sing penitentiary. having made a desper-
ate and thus far successful fight to keep
out of the electric chair. Many people
believe him innocent. He has several in
f1uential friends, who are convinced that
he is a victim of the malice Of Jones. but
the popular impression is that Patrick.
who drew the original will. leaving the
fortune to an institution. drew another
which he expected to be accepted by the
courts, regulating the first and leaving
the estate to distant relatives, with him.
self as executor.
There was a long litigation Patrick
was defeated. the second will was re-
jected, the original was declared genuine
and valid; the trustees, who are j. A.
Baker W. n. Rice. jr, ]. Fl. McAshan.
B. B. Rice, c. LOmbardi. E. Raphael and
E. o. Lovett, business associates Of the
donor, were confirmed in their right to
the esate. were incorporated under the
name of the William NJ. Rice Institute
and are now in full possession of the
property.
Choice Of Organizer.
The first act Of the trustees was to Sc