New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-08-02
0LC0TT OUT FOR GOOD
DISMISSED BY MRS. THAN.
Mother Won OOer TO Sons Vie5o bg
Daughter-in-Lazc.


as 10 who shall be his counsel and what his de-
fence will be. his mother, Mrs. William
Thaw, yesterday dismissed ex-Judge William NJ.
X. OlcOtt and Terence J. McManus from longer
representing her and retained Clifford w. Hart
ridge the leading counsel in the case By this
action OF Mrs. William Thaw Mr.. Olcott and
Mr.. McManus severed all connection with the
case from this time on and Mr.. Hartridge be-
came supreme in the conduct of the defence.
Thaw the prisoner from now on will be able to
dictate just what he desires done. ell OppO-
sitiOn has been swept away in the recognition
OF his desires by his mother.
Much OF the credit for finally bringing the
various factions together is due to Mrs. Harry
x Thaw. 1t is said. who has worked indefad-
gably TO that end. The conference at Roslyn
Tuesday night tended to the final victory of
Thaw and the dismissal of Black, Olcott, Gruber
& Bonynge.
olcott does away once for all with the idea of
asking for a commission in lunacy and that the
case will go TO trial. Thaw viii have q positive
defence it is said. and the defence believes that
he viii be acquitted without much trouble.
To offset any surprises which the defence may
spring on the prosecution. the District Attorney
has not let up gathering evidence for his side
OF the case. and the trial promises to be one OF
the longest and most sensational ever held in
New York County The prosecution, it is under
stood, will prove without question of doubt or
at least. believes 1t will, that EVELYN Nesbit
Thaw was cOgnizant of the fact that her hus-
band intended to shoot Stanford White months
before the actual shooting on June % This
would make her an accessory before the fact
but for obvious reasons, 1t is said she has not
been considered in that light
The dismissal of Black. Olcott Gruber &
Bonynge from any further connection with the
case was received with great surprise by the
counsel for Mrs. William Thaw yesterday Ex-
Judge Ocott and Mr.. McManus have been work
ing hard in gathering whatever evidence they
could which would aid Thaws defence The
first intimatiOn that they had been dismissed
was when a letter was received from Mrs Will
fam Thaw. dated at ROslyn, Long Island. where
she is living with her daughter. Mrs. George
Lauder Carnegie. The letter. while brief, was
explicit. 1t read:
Roslyn, N V August / 1906
NIessrs. Black. oicott Gruber & Bonynge No
40 Broadway. New York City.
Gentlemen: After fully considering the CueS-
tiOn have decided that my sons position is the
win YOU therefore kindly deliver 10 Messrs
documents, letters, notes. memoranda, data and
all papers you have for me and a full statement
Thanking you for your courteous attention TO
my wishes during the past two weeks. remain,
very truly yours II. -. 1HAN'
aTr Olcott refused TO discuss the letter in any
way. Neither would Mr.. McAIanus discuss it.
Mr.. Hartrldge received a short letter from
Mrs Thaw. asking him to make the fact that
she had retained him and dismissed ex-Judge
OIcott public. and inclosing copy Of the letter
10 the other firm. Mr. Hartridge would not talk
about the letter except to say:
..It speaks for itself can't enlarge on it,
Mr. Hartridge appeared TO be much pleased
with the chances OF the defence in the approach
ing trial He would not discuss the case except
10 say that there would be clean cut trial."
as he expressed It.
II it understood that Mr.. Hartridge Will have
entire charge even of the matter OF engaging
whatever lawyers he may desire in the case.
He can engage whomever he pleases 20 assist
hin, in any way, but has full power TO do just
what he wants. and IL necessary. can have all
the work himself.
II is understood that there are at least a dozen
LAWYERS already at work the case. having
been retained by Mr. Hartridge Most Of them
ara nreparing briefs on various points in the
case A number OF well known lawyers have
l,een mentioned In this connection. Among them
are ex-United States Senator Joseph C. s Black
burn ~ Kentucky, and David Watson OF Pitts
burq the latter for years one of the Thaw fam
il,,,e nr,vate counsel Edmund L. Mooney. OF this
,itv who recently figured in the Canfield-Deia-
buntv civil suit, is also mentioned.
Mr. aartridge was asked II II was true mat
.i:ese men had been asked 20 assist nut had re-
fused a retainer.
You can be sure" he said, that no one asked
has refused retainer.
II IS said that more prominent lawyers VIII
figure IN the case at the trial than in any case
ever heard here District ATTORNEY Jerome VIII
try the case ln person. assisted by three OF four
assistants. and a dozen more counsel. headed
hv Mr.. Hartridge viii appear for the defence
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