Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1906-07-25
7HAW'S DEFENSE
UP IN THE AIR
LAWYERS FIGHT OVER RICH
CLIENT.
DECLARES SON is CRAZY
Mother Says He Never Was Normal
child-Had Mania for Whipping
Giris-PersonaI Attorney for De.
PENDANT Brings Suit to Recover
Papers.

New York, July 19.-Chaotic condi-
tons surrounding the preparation of
the defense for Harry K. Thaw. ac-
eused OF the murder of Stanford
White, were accentuated yesterday
and apparently the breach between
the prisoner and his mother. Mrs
William Thaw of Pittsburg. as to the
character of the defense, is wider
than ever.
Following quickly upon confer
ence of two hours with Thaw in the
Tombs, after the mother had twice
during the day endeavored to gain
tire boys consent to the re-emplov-
ment of Black, Olcott, Grlber &
Bonygne and to consent TO plead in
sanity, Clifford w. Hartridge. Thaw's
personal counsel obtained from JUS
tice Blanchard of the supreme court
late yesterday an order directing Oh
colts firm TO show cause next Friday
which they should not turn over to
H$rtridge all the papers in Thaw's
case. Hartridge based his motion on
petition signed by Thaw, which was
plced on record in connection with
the proceedings.
This move was a distinct surprise,
being contradiction of reports earl.
Ter in the day to the effect that Thaw
had consented to his mother Ian of
action. The rumor that Thaw had
at lag. bowed to his mothers will IN
doubtedly had its origin In the fact
that Mrs, William Thaw and Mrs.
Harry Thaw, who were in conference
with Thaw at the same time vester-
day. emerged from the prison arm in
arm. 1t was the first time they had
been seen together Thaw's wife has
along supported him in his demand for
a trial on the issues of the case and
has opposed the insanity plea. She
has thus been arrayed against the
elder Mrs Thaw, who seems to feel
that the only hope of saving her son
from death in the electric chair is to
depend upon the defence of insanity.
This plea would avoid further public
ity and the ignominy of a trial and
has been insistentlv urged upon the
prisoner who. however, apparently re-
NAMED obdurate.
Mother Says Son is Insane.
My son is insane-it would be muir
der to send him to the electric CHAIR"
This admission was made yesterday
by Mrs. William Thaw. she says ne
never was a normal fsh{II
A conference between the elder
Mrs. Thaw and attorneys continued
until long after midnight Tuesday.
Thaw was greatly enraged over the
report that a commission was to he
appointed within week If the dis
/ trict attorney would consent. He
declared be was sane and that his
new counsel, Clifford Hartridge. and
no one else had a right to make any
move in his defense.
Whea a motion is made for the ap-
pointment Of such a commission Hart
ridge as counsel for Thaw will be in
a very strong position to oppose such
a move. As counsel for Thaw his
position. so far as his client is con-
cerned is virtually supreme before
the court
Supreme Court Justice Mclean ad-
iourned until today the hearing o. ar
gument in the application of Thaws
counsel for writ Of prohibition re-
straining the district attorney and the
grand Jury from hearing any evidence
In the case until tomorrow.
Attorneys for young Thaw. mean
while, have taken the first OF a series
OF unusual legal steps, one of which
contemplates nothing less than the re-
lease OF the accused murderer on
bail.