Albert Patrick Trial: 1902 - William Marsh Rice Murdered
William Marsh Rice Murdered
Holt retained Patrick to obtain evidence from anyone who had ever known Rice that could be used to prove that Rice was legally still a Texan. During his investigations, Patrick met Rice's personal valet and secretary, Charles F. Jones. Patrick and Jones thought up an ambitious scheme to murder Rice, plunder his estate by cashing forged checks on his New York bank accounts, and get at the rest of Rice's assets through a forged will naming Patrick and Jones as beneficiaries. Patrick himself drafted the fake will, also deliberately inserting generous legacies to Rice's relatives at the expense of the institute in the hope that the relatives would not challenge the will.
On the night of September 23, 1900, Jones covered the sleeping Rice's face with chloroform-soaked towels. The old man died without a struggle. Patrick and Jones were unable to carry through their scheme, however. Rice's Texas lawyer demanded an autopsy and came to New York to begin an investigation. When Patrick tried to cash the forged checks at Rice's bank, the bank officials became suspicious and notified the authorities. Patrick and Jones were soon arrested for Rice's murder. After unsuccessfully trying to commit suicide, Jones confessed and agreed to testify against Patrick in return for leniency.
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about 1 year ago
Rose Harding » reginald dot harding ((at)) homecall dot co dot uk
Now 77yeares old I grew up with story of the murder of W M Rice. My father who about 15 when this occured told me as much as he know because Rice was an ancester of my fathers family
,who were Irish, so they took a great deal of interest in the trial of Albert Patrick, from what I have read today my fathers memories were very accurate. My great grandmothers name was Maria Rice, that appears to be the conection.