The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1912-11-29
PATRICK FREED
BY GOV. DIX
Lawyer Convicted of Murder Of
Millionaire Rice
IN DEATH HOUSE 4 YEARS
Was Saved from the Electric Chair in
1906 by Governor Higgins and
Now Pardoned by Gov.
Dix
IN DEATH HOUSE 4 YEARS

rick, thrice on the verge of death il
the electric chair mad life prisoner il
Sing Sing for the murder of William
Marsh Rice, ate his Thanksgiving Dime
at his home in New York last night
a free man.
Pardoned Wednesday by Gov. Dix, h
was released at 4:25 yesterday after
noon. 1t was planned to release hin
early yesterday morning, but by mis-
take the envelope containing the pardon
was mailed with other documents t.
Sing Sing, instead of being carried by {
special messenger, so it did not reacl
the prison until late yesterday after
noon.
I Meantime many of Patrick's fellow
/ prisoners, hearing the news of his inn
pending release. had shaken his hand;
Just before leaving the prison, Pat
rick announced:
II expect always to eontainue my
fight for yindication and to clear my
name"
When he reached his home in New
York, several hundred persons gathered
outside ard cheered him, but Patrick
did not notice it, for on the threshold
stood his wife.
Ten years ago, on the eve of the day
when Patrick was sentenced to die, they
were married in the Tombs. As he
went up the steps last night, she
stretched her arms to him. The door
elesed behind them and Patrick was at
home.
Patrick, who was saved from the cleo
trio chair by the late Governor Higgins
in December, 1906, has made remark.
able fight for freedom. A lawyer by
profession. he protested when Governor
Higgins commuted the death sentence
to life imprisonment, declaring that the
governor had no legal right to cancel
the original sentence and impose pun
ishment of life imprisonment.
Governor Dix announced that he had
pardoned Patrick, inst as he was. about
to leave the capitol for the executive
@There has always been an air of mys-
fiery in this important case" he said.
Quoting from the minority opinion,
"the atmosphere that surrounded the de-
PENDANT showed that a fair and impair
tal trial was scarcely possible.
u trust that Mr.. Patrick will devote
his energies to a complete vindication
81 his declared innocence.
During the past year have given
much attention to this case and am con- 4
einced that the defendant is eptitled
10 have full pardon"
Governor Dix said Col. Joseph F.
Scott, superintendent of state prison,
vas among those who recommended Pat
'ick's pardon He had received letters.
he said, from scores of prominent citi-
ems in patrick's behalf, but he declined
o say who the writer's were.
After the governor signed the pardon
N attache Of the executive department
Iropped the document into the local
,ostoffice Wednesday night in an en-
'elope addressed to Warden John 5. |
Kennedy of Sing Sing. If the pardon
cached the prison yesterday, Patrick |
sas to be released upon its receipt.
II is said Patrick plans to leave for
L. Louis, the home of John T. Milli- |
en-, his brotherin- law, but may return
lter as a claimant for the millions left |
Y the aged man with whose murder he /
'as charged. Mr. Milliken aided Patrick
! his fight for freedom. and it is report
4 will assist him in his efforts to prove
il innocence.
At no time during his long incarcera
on at Sing Sing. four years of which
ere spent in the prison death house,
as Patrick given up the hope of secur-
e his freedom.
Letter after letter has been received
J the executive chamber urging that
, be pardoned, and each successive gov
nor since Governor Odel has been asked {
extend executive clemency.
Governor Higgins was so impressed
it'll the prisoners plea that he granted
IN three respites and eventually com
uted his sentence from death to life
lprisonment.
Patrick was charged with having
ought about the death of Mr.. Rice
rough the agency of Charles L. Jones.
valet employed in the Rice household, {
ID it was principally upon the testi-
ony of Jones. who confessed to hav- [
2 administered chloroform to the old {
IN while he was asleep, at the behest q
Patrick. that the lawyer was con-
tied. Jones escaped unpublished. 4,
In saving Patrick from the death chair :
vernon Higgins said; "Three of the :
ven Judges of the court OF appeals q
re so strongly of the opinion that
-ors were committed at the trial which :
preiud iced the rights of
trick. that feel that the death pen
". under the circumstances, ought not
be inflicted"
II was the opinion of the minority of
, court of appeals that Governor Dix
erred in his statement Wednesday
Int as TO his reasons for pardoning
trick.