Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1912-11-29
PATRICK VICTIM
Of PERSECUTION.
He ASSERTS
Pardoned Lawyer Says Texas
Man Put Him Behind Bars
to Loot Rice Estate.

NEW YORK, Nov. 29.-Breaking his
silence of ten years, Albert T. Pat
rick, convicted slayer of William Marsh
Rice, an aged Texas millionaire, yes
terday freed by pardon of Governor
Dix, this afternoon made the charge
that he was made a victim of perse-
cution by q Houston, Texas, man, in
order that the vast Rice estate might be
looted
This was the first detailed statement
he had given out since his conviction in
1902 and was a most remarkable dis
cussion Of his case.
Patrick gave out the interview in the
presence of his attorney, eX-Judge VII
liam K. Olcott who at times brought
out fresh facts by question or at 9TH
ers headed Patrick off from dangerous
statements.
Patrick declared that he had been a
victim Of persecution since he was
named trustee of the Rice estate in a
second will made by the aged million
aire shortly before his death
"Rice was always afraid that some
one would take advantage of him and
strip him Of his financial possessions"
said Patrick. Thinking that these fears
had some foundation, ] tried to protect
Rice in every way.
Never Claimed Estate.
Il never claimed any of Mr.. Rices
millions. 1 never felt entitled to Them
for was merely the trustee of the es-
tate No claim was ever advanced by
me, or ever will be. In fact, the money
that Mr.. Rice left was in the form of a
foundation, like the Sage foundation. l
was arrested originally charged with
forging a $4,000 check, but when I was
arrested $4,000 worth Of bonds of
the Rice estate were found upon me,
through either q trick or an adverse
turn of fate.
1.-The Houston, Texas, man whom
charge with being behind this persecu-
ton wanted me to have the Rice will, OF
which l was executor, destroyed in IA
vor of another will made by Rice, OF
which he was executor I agreed that
both wills be filed in Texas and that we
fight out the executor in the courts
there. He agreed. We went to safe
deposit vault, where l took out, by
agreement. s2,500,O00 worth of bonds
AS we reached the street, / was ar
rested and the bonds were found upon
my person.
81 remained in the Tombs FIVE or six
months after my arrest, although no
Indictment was found against me and
under the pretense that they were in
vestigating the case, although the will
had propounded had been filed.
His Investigator Shot Down.
IAN enormous amount Of money has
been spent in this In addition to the
$3.50, 900 which the county of New York
spent to prosecute me, $4,000 OF the Rice
estate was spent"
How do you know that quickly
asked Olcott.
4 have documentary evidence, re-
piled Patrick.
"That fraud which NIr. Rice feared
found it's fruition in nv arrest and
prosecution. / have documentary evil
dence from Texas. My wife employed a
lawyer to go to Texas to get affidaYits
showing the uses to which the money OF
the Rice estate was being put but he
was shot down in the streets of Hous-
TON, He was shot by q policeman, but
none can escape the conviction that ne
was killed because he was working IN
nv behalf. I have made the charge in
court. under oath, that I was railroaded
10 prison. and I make IT again here