The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1906-07-20
CREETS her SON
THROUGH BARS
Mother of Harry Thaw Sees
Him for First Time Since
Killing.
PRISON RULES oBEYED

Elder Mrs. Thaw Had to Be Searched
and Then Meet Her Son
Through Grating Of
New York. July 1S.-lmnlediately
following her interview with her SON,
Harry x. Thaw, in the Tombs prison
yesterday. Mrs. William Thaw as
sumed full charge of the defense and
arranged to retain the service as coun-
sci of the firm of Black. Olcott, Gruber
& Bonynge, who were dismissed by
young Thaw a few days ago. This ac-
ton is taken to mean that Harry
Thaw's desires and opinions regarding
the defense will be ignored and that
reliance will be placed on the plea of
insanity, insistence on which by MIR
Olcott resulted in the rupture W
himself and his client. Whether an APP
plication will be made for the appoint
ment of a committee on lunaey TO de-
termine young Thaw's mental condi-
ton will probably be determined at Il
conference to be held by Mrs. Thaw
and the counsel today.
The meeting between Mrs. Thaw and
her son at the ToInbS WAS an Affecting
one. After the first greeting they We're
left alone together to converse through
the bars of the cell for half an hour.
During the Interview the prisoners
wife stood in silence in the corridor a
few feet away from the cell door wait
Ing her turn to speak with her nus
band. No words We're exchanged be-
tween Mrs. Thaw and her daughter-in-
law.
New York. July 1s.-Mrs. VIM. Thaw.
of Pittsburg. paid Il visit to her son
Harry Thaw in the Tombs prison to-
day where he is a prisoner accused of
the murder of Stanford White.
Mrs. Thaw was accompanied by Jo-
siah l.. Thaw and A. r. Peabody. of
Thaw's counsel. Her arrival at the
Tombs was preceded by that of Thaw's
wife Evelyn, but later upon ascertain
ing that Mrs. VIM. Thaw had no, yet
visited the Tombs she declared she de-
sired her husbands mother to ave the
first opportunity of seeing the prisoner.
Had to Talk Through Bars.
The younger Mrs. Thaw then retired
VIM. Thaw's arrival. Before the latter
reached the prison her sons new
sci, Clifford w. Hartridge, called on
FRANCIS j. Lantry, commissioner of cor
rections, n endeavored to make ar
engagements so Mrs. Thaw could meet
iSt ~ az INC 1OIllDS instead OIL lalk-
ing with him through h bars of the
cell. but Lantry instructed the warden
he could make no exception to the
prison rules in Mrs. Thaw's case.
The mother reached the prison short
ly before noon. In the meantime a
large crowd had gathered about the en-
trance to the prison. When her cab
stopped at the door ~bystanders pressed
Onward so closely the police had diff
Guilty In making a line through them
to permit Mrs. Thaw to pass into the
prison.
Searched Before Entering.
Mrs. Thaw was met at the door by
would be necessary for her to comply
with the prison rule that all visitors
must be searched.
Mrs. Thraw Their retired to the room
of the Tombs matron. where the rule
was complied with.
She then made her way to cell No.
time since he shot White.
With the one idea of planning a de-
tense for her son, Mrs. William Thaw,
the leader in Pittsburg fashionable cir
cles and the mistress of millions,
reached New York late Saturday after
noon on the Hamhurg-America liner
Kaisrin Auguste Victoria.
Disappointment greeted her at the
gang plank when the news was broken
to her by Josiah Thaw that. although
she had hurried back from Europe. she
would not be able to see and talk to
Harry Thaw until Monday, as a special
permit for visiting the Tonabs could not
be ecured.
That this son she loves needs his
mothers aid and counsel was never
demonstrated more plainly h Sat
urday when he discharged the success
full criminal practitioners. Black, Oh
~-%& u,1,o ? D~r,~o f-~,, F-.
ther connection with his defense. In
their stead he retained Clifford w.
Hartridge, not because of his ability
as a criminal lawyer, but because he
was an old personal friend.
Split Over the Insanity Plea.
The dismissal came, it vas said, as
the elimination of a number of argu-
ments Thaw has had with various
members of the law firm over the ques-
ton of a defense. Judge Olcott, who
has beer the active member of the firm
insisted that insanity be made the
chief point in the defense, 1t is be-
lieved, while Thaw has insisted with
equal If not greater emphasis that he
would not allow the insanity plea.
While there nave been numerous ar
colt on this question, there vas no
open break, it is said, until Saturday
afternoon. Then. according to the
authority upon which the story is
based, Thaw, during a verbal combat
with Judge Olcott in the Tombs, be-
came enraged and wound up a TRADE
by telling his lawyers fatty that Black
Olcott. Bruber & Bonynge no longer
were his counsel.
81 am the boss" Thaw is declared to
have said, after Judge Olcott had Civ
en- it as an ultimatum that Thaw should
place himself as absolutely in the
hands of his counsel as a patient in
the hands Of his physician and submit
entirely to the judgment of the law
firm as to the best manner of conduct
ing the defense, land l will not stand
for the insanity plea" the prisoner
added.
Judge Olcott then left the prison. it
is said. and received q letter, accord
ing to the story, from Thaw in which
the young man put in writing his dis
missal of the firm.
APPEAL is TAKEN.
Burton's Petition for Rshearino Re.
ceived by Clerk Of Supreme Court.