New-York tribune., 1906-07-23
HARD BLOW FOR THAW.
Publication of Letters from Nrs.
Holman Sfaggers Defence.

The defence i'm the case os Harry Kendall
Thaw was agitated yesterday by the publication
OF a dozen or more letters written bv Mrs. Hol-
man. the mother Of Evelyn Nesoit Ihaw' 20
Stanford White While the tenor OK the letters
has been discussed az some length for some time.
the letters had not been made public before and
they threw the defence into cOnstsrnation
Mrs Holman in the letters showed Thaw in
anything but an enviable light She accused him
OF ''nurderous' conduct while they were an
Paris. She begged White in many OF the letters
20 use his good influence with her daughter 70
make her leave Thaw else marry him. MRS
Harry Thaw was painted even blaeker by her
mother than Thaw was
The effect Of the publication OF the letters
was plainly discernible on all connected with the
defence yesterday.
Mrs. Thaw hurried away from the Lorraine
early in the day and conferred with her counsel
for some hours. Later she was asked 20 make
a statement and IN a decidedly excited manner
said:
"Oh wish could. but am instructed not 20.
Please see Mr.. Hartridge. Harry's counsel, and
hope he will say something
Mrs Thaw even gave two telephone numbers
where she said she believed Mr. Hartridge could
be reached Mr.. Hartridge found later and
was asked for statement He quicklv replied:
You first tell me where In n you got those
letters"
When told that was impossible. he curtly re-
piled:
"welI. I'll not tell word. I'll think about IL
tomorrow"
Thaw, the prisoner, was so upset az the publi-
cation of the letters that he refused TO leave his
cell all day. He read the papers and re-read
them Even when the Episcopalian service was
announced he refused TO attend. although he had
done so each Sunday before. Asked why he
bo @ha "A
refused 70 reply.
1t is understood that Mrs Holman. In Pitts
burg. sent word TO this city last night that the
letters were genuine and that they we're not half
severe enough Her attitude in practically de-
seFting her daughter and sOn-in-aw is the most
severe blow the defence has received. II had
been expected that Mrs Holman would refuse 20
come to New York to testify 20 take any part
in the case. But her attitude is plainly under
stood 70 be against the defence, and although
she may still refrain from testifying. Is strongly
in favor Of the prosecution.
Lawyers connected with the prosecution were
greatly pleased yesterday They said that the
defence was practically unable 70 have any in
sanity plea OF any sort after such publication.
What the next move Of the defence will be IS
known. Mr. Hartridge is expected 70 make
statement to-day.
The publication OF the letters in which the
name Of Abraham H. Hummel again appeared.
caused Mr.. Hummel 20 leave Saratoga. where he
has been for some weeks. in hurry. He left
coming directly TO this city. He could not be
found last night, but, IL is understood. is in
communication with the District Attorneys
Office and will confer with the prosecution
either to-day tomorrow. District Attorney
Jerome and Assistant District Attorney Garvan
were expected back from the South late last
night early this morning. They will take up
the prosecution again to-day and important de-
velopments are expected
The night between counsel for the defence will
be ended to-day when the time limit expires In
which Justice MacLean. In the Supreme Court.
allowed the firm of Black OlcOtt. GSTUber &
Bonynge TO give all papers in the 90 Clifford
w. Hartridge. Mr.. OlcOtt has announced that
whatever papers he still has will be given 20 the
personal counsel Of Thaw to-day.