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William
Marsh Rice
by Archie P. McDonald |
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Everyone
loves a murder mystery, especially if the murder happened a long time ago and
did not involve someone they know. The story of William Marsh Rice's demise is
such a case, especially since I am a beneficiary of his will. Let me explain.
William Marsh Rice was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, in 1816. Rice
revealed shrewd business acumen, even as a youth. He moved to Houston,
Texas, in 1837, fleeing the Panic of 1837 and seeking his fortune in the Republic
of Texas.
Rice began his business career in Texas
selling liquor in the bar of the Milam Hotel in Houston,
but soon became a merchant, an importer-exporter, railroad-promoter and investor,
cotton ginner and shipper, landowner-just about anything that turned a buck. Although
Rice owned slaves, he favored the Union side in the Civil War. He left Houston
for Matamoras during the conflict-still in the cotton
trade-but moved to New Jersey afterwards and finally to New York City before the
century ended, though he retained investments in Houston,
which eventually included the Rice Hotel. Along the way Rice amassed a fortune
that exceeded $3 million. |
 |
Rice
Hotel
Postcard courtesy rootsweb.com/%7Etxpstcrd/ |
| Rice
was married twice, but childless, so he left the bulk of his estate to establish
The William Marsh Rice Institute "for the advancement of literature, science,
and art." The Institute was supposed to be located in New Jersey and reserved
for white males who attended without tuition. |
Administration
Building, Rice Institute
Postcard courtesy rootsweb.com/%7Etxpstcrd/ |
Rice
was murdered by his valet, Charles Jones, and an attorney, Albert T. Patrick.
Patrick forged papers to gain control of the estate and the butler did the deed
and expected to profit as a beneficiary of Rice's will.
Houston associates,
especially James Baker, successfully fought Patrick and gained control of the
estate. The governors of the Rice Institute broke the will to locate the institution
in Houston, nearer its assets than
New Jersey; later courts decided to adjust the will to admit women, then African
Americans, to change its name to Rice University, and finally to charge tuition. |
The
"New" Rice Stadium in 1951
Postcard courtesy rootsweb.com/%7Etxpstcrd/ |
| Here
is how I, even I, became a beneficiary of William Marsh Rice's will. In 1958,
someone made a mistake and admitted me to the Institute's graduate program. Greatest
educational bargain imaginable. I paid a $75 "registration fee"-not tuition, and
that included passes to athletic competitions, campus newspaper subscription,
and I don't know what all. That hardly would pay for a single hour of instruction
today. |
© Archie P. McDonald
All
Things Historical >
October 9, 2006 column
A syndicated column in over 40 East Texas newspapers
This column is provided
as a public service by the East Texas Historical Association. Archie P. McDonald
is director of the Association and author of more than 20 books on Texas.
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