Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-11-28

prescribed by law Tor MURDER IN the
first degree
Appeals are HOW pending in the court
of appeals on technicalites raised by the
convicted lawyer. who, surrounded by
law books in his cell, has resorted to
every legal means TO secure his release.
The granting of a pardon by the govern
or restores him to citizenship.
ossning, y. Y, Nov. 2I--Albert T. Pat
rick was not informed. tonight that he
had been pardoned Warden Kennedy of
Sing Sing prison was absent when re-
ports were received of the governor
action. and fnasmuch as these were uH-
official reports, Assistant Warden Con
naughton decided not to inform Patrick.
The official papers probably will reach
the prison, early tomorrow.
During his long incarceration Patrick
has become conspicuous not only tnorugn
his own efforts to secure freedom, but
for the legal aid he gave to many other
conviets. He has helped many to prepare
their applications for pardons.
St Louis, Nov. 27,-John r. Milliken.
brother-in-law of Albert r. Patrick and
millionaire manufacturer of this city.
WHO tldS spent II 1bFlufft III. utieUuliB itit
New York attorney and in endeavoring
to obtain his release after his conviction,
said, tonight:
THE action taken by Gov Dix Is not
wholly unexpected by me- | 1ney the
governor at his country home. last sum-
mer, and had a brief interview with him
about the great injustice that had been
done to Mr.. Patrick. He assured me that
he would take the matter up ana give
it his closest attention and that / could
depend on his doing what was right and
proper.
what [ have done for Mr.. Patrick
has been done for no other reasons than
because it was my duty to my family
and because | was satisfied of his in
noeenee.
NO one who has had such fight can
realize what | have gone through, but I
never doubted that right would prevail
in the end. am satisfied Mr. Patrick
with his freedom will be able fully to
vindicate himself. He was convicted of
crime that he never committed He
has suffered mental torture such as few
men have endured.
Patrick was convicted by rank per-
jury" Mr.. Milliken added
New York, Nov. 27.-Pardon of Al
bert 7. Patrick came as good news to
many friends in New York who sided
with him in his celebrated 10-years
fight for freedom. It's a triumph, +"
said George Francis O'Neil one of the
counsel. who aided Patrick, but too
long delayed one
Mrs. Patrick. the woman who mar
ried the accused murderer in the
Tombs, and who has spent practically
all of her time since in seeking his
pardon, was advised of the news, and
while overjoyed she declined to make
statement.
As q widower with two little chill
dren. Patrick came to New York from
Texas in the late COS to practice law,
renewing acquaintance with William
Marsh Rice, helpless old man of
millions who was formerly a friend of
the Patrick family in Texas. He lay
bedndden in his New York apart
ments, living alone with the exception
OF his valet. Charles F. Jones' When
the millionaire was found dead in bed.
one morning. the coroner decided he
had simply suceumbed to old age but
suspicious arose Ten days afterwards
check bearing Rice's name in favor
of Patrick was deposited in one of the
latter's banks. 1t was declared to be
"A forgery.
Then murder was whispered Valet
Jones was arrested. He tried to COM
nit suicide in the Tombs. He alleged
that Patrick had influenced him to do
do so. Suddenly he broke down and
afxgg Il h..t H., 1.
d@rer of his wealthy master. but at the
instigatiOn OF Patrick
He told many conflicting stories. He
said lie killed his master by amonid
then that he gave him some Gray
pills, which Patrick ,procured and fl
nally that he saturated a sponge with
ehloroform and held it to the ole
mans lace till he died. He stuck to
this last story on the stand and pur-
chased immunity by his confession
Surgeons testified that Rices lungs
showed he had been killed by chloro-
form. ON the other hand. Patrick call
cd experts who maintained that there
was no such evidence and from thai
time to this medical men interested
have been divided for and against Pat
rick
The state maintained the motive
for murder was found III Rice's will.
There was one executed, in 1896, in
which the old man left all his for
tune to the Rice Institute of Houston,
Texas. A will of more recent date
left all of the money to Patrick 10
be administered in philanthropic work
at Patricl1's direction.
Patrick denied all the accusations
and persistently contended that the
old man died a natural death. He led
his own defence and all of the re-
markable attempts since to have the
| verdict set aside. In 1909 he made the
remarkable plea that he was legally
dead, one of the days set for his ex-
ecution having passed without the
sentence being carried out. He claim
ed that the stay which was granted
was irregular.