The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1912-12-06
ALBERT 7. PATRICK
PARDONED BY GOV. DIX
WAS SERVING LIFE SENTENCE
FOR MURDER OF WILLIAM
MARSH RICE IN 1900.
REMARKABLE FIGHT FOR FREEDOM
Patrick Never Gave Up Hope for Par,
dor-Spent Four Years in Death
House at Sing sine-Gov-
ernor Makes Statement.

Albany, N. Y.-Albert T. Patrick,
VINO is serving a life sentence in Sing
Sing prison for the murder of William
Marsh Rice, an aged millionaire, in
New York City on September %. 1900,
was pardoned Wednesday by Govern.
Or Dix.
Patrick, who was saved from the
electric chair by the late Governor
Higgins in December, 1906, has made
a remarkable fight for freedom. A
lawyer by profession, he protested
when Governor Higgins committed the
death sentence to life Imprisonment,
declaring that the governor had no
legal right to cancel the original sen,
tence and impose a punishment OF
life Imprisonment.
Always an Air Of Mystery.
There has always been an air OF
mystery in this important case" Gov.
ernor Dix said, and quoted from the
minority opinion of the court of ap.
peals, which said, The atmosphere
that surrounded the defendant showed
that fair and impartial trial was
scarcely possible"
Il trust that Mr.. Patrick will de-
vote his energies to a complete vim
dication of his declared innocence,
said Governor Dix. During the past
year ! have given much consideration
to this case and am convinced that
the defendant is entitled to have a
full pardon"
Many Citizens Appealed to Him.
Governor Dix said Superintendent
of State Prisons Scott and scores OF
prominent citizens appealed to him
in Patrick's behalf.
The pardon was mailed "Wednesday
| to Warden John S. Kennedy of Sing
Sing, and Patrick was released upon
| its receipt.
1t is said Patrick plans to return
! to New York as claimant for the
millions left by the aged man with
| whose murder he was charged
Has Never Given Up Hope,
At no time during his long incar
ceration in Sing Sing, four years Of
which were spent in the death house
has Patrick given up the hope of gain
ing his freedofns Letter after letter
has been received at the executive
chamber urging that he be pardoned
and each successive governor since
Governor Odell has been asked to ex
tend executive clemency.
Governor Higgins was so impressed
with the prisoners plea that he grant
ed him three respites and eventually
committed his sentence from death II
fife Imprisonment.
Valet Confessed to Murder.
Patrick was charged with having
brought about the death of Mr.. Rice
not by his own hand, but through tht
agency of Charles F. Jones, a vale
employed by Rice. 1t was principal!
upon the testimony of Jones, WHIT
confessed to having administered
chloroform to Rice az the beQuest o
Patrick while Rice was asleep, tina
Patrick was convicted.
Jones escaped punishment and hal
long been able to hide his identit!
from the public, At last reports hi
was said to be in Texas.
Originally Sentenced in 1902.
Patrick was sentenced original,
April 7, 1902, to die the week com
mencing May S, and was immediatei,
taken to Sing Sing lighthouse. Al
appeal was taken and on June /, l9O5
the conviction was affirmed by tn
court of appeals. The court later dc
MED an application for a rehearin
and fixed the week of August 20, l9os
as the date of execution.
Former United States Senate
David B. Hill argued Patricks cas-
+ before the court of appeals and Pa'
rick was brought to Albany from Sin
Sing to hear the arguments.
Eventually the case was taken I
the United States supreme cour'
which dismissed the appeal Tor wan
of jurisdiction.
Jones Admitted Murder.
When the aged millionaire wa
found dead in the bed one morning
the coroner decided he had simpi
succumbed to old age, but suspicion
arose. Ten days afterward a certlf
cate bearing Rice's name was deposl
ed in q bank. 1t was declared to be
forgery. On the strength OF tha'
murder was whispered. Valet Jone
was arrested. He tried to comml
suicide in the Tombs. He alleged tina
Patrick had influenced him to DO 81
Suddenly he broke down and state