Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1906-06-29
Emotional Insanity to
be Defense of SIay-
er of White.
AVENUE TO LIBERTY
Dead Man Reported Heavily In
Debt and Physical
Wreck.

New York June 29.-Harry K Thaw,
entered formal plea of not guilty
when arraigned on the charge Of muir
der in the court of general sessions to-
day. The plea was entered with the
reservation that it may be withdrawn
Tuesday next
Talks Freely.
While waiting for the opening of
court, Thaw sat near the open window
in the bridge of sighs'' which con-
meets the prison with the criminal court
building. He talked freely with news
paper men and others during his brief
stay. but declined to say anything what
ever concerning his case
In Good Condition.
He appeared in good physical condi-
ton, and when his case was called he
stepped briskly to the bar. inside of
which was his counsel. When Clerk
Tenney read the charge of murder in
the first degree. he asked Thaw what
he had to say in regard to the indict
ment. The prisoner answered distinct
ly: Not guilty"
Interposed Amendment.
His counsel Immediately interposed
an amendment to the plea. asking the
court leave to withdraw the plea any
time up to next Tuesday This was
granted, and a moment later the pris-
oner reentered the prison. Thaw was
remarkably cool-headed. His face was
pallid, but his eyes were bright and he |
was keenly alert and more than inter
ested in his surroundings Mrs. Thaw |
was not in the court room.
White In Financial straits.
According TO the Globe today, the |
investigation has brought TO light the |
fact that Stanford White. who was sup
posed to be wealthy. has been living
beyond his income and was heavily in
debt, owing 100000 TO one young mem
Der OF prominent family and as much
to other persons. In addition to this
the Globe says White had drawn so
heavily from the architectural firm of
which ne was a member he had been
notified he could draw no more, but
would be allotted weekly sum, which
was not to be exceeded.
"EmotionaI Insanity Now.
New York, June 29.-The announce
ment that the defense will make "emo-
Il
for the release of Harry K .Thaw in
Jail indicted for the murder of Stan
ford White. set at rest speculation on
this point today
Rendered Impossible.
Justifiable homicide and a straight |
plea of insanity had been suggested
as a line of Defense but Thaw himself
made the insanity move impossible by
declining to allow the alienists to
question him. 1t will not be claimed
he is insane now. Such a plea would
mean a sentence to the asylum fol
the criminally insane at Mattaewan.
Free III Sustained.
This new line means a trial and if
the plea of emotional insanity is
justified Thaw will be free man. The
defense plans to bring out the whole
story of Whites life, his relations with
Evelyn Nesbit before she married
and his subsequent actions, which it is
claimed annoyed Mrs. Thaw and goad-
ed her husband on to the shooting.
Events Moved Rapidly.
New York, June 29.-Events moved
rapidly in the Thaw case yesterday
The coroner held his inquest, the jury
returning a verdict that Stanford
Whites death was caused by Harry
Kendall Thaw The grand jury con
sidered the case briefly and returned
the indictment against him and Thaw
was returned to the Tombs.
While these proceedings were be
ing had, the funeral of Thaw's victim
took place at ST. James. L. |. After
the service in the church, interment
was made in the graveyard surround
ing the edifce
Death Near from Disease.
I'm the opinion of the physician who
performed the autopsy on Whites
body the life of the architect was short
oned not more than two years by the
bullets from Thaw's pistol. He was
found to be suffering from brights dis
ease, from incipient tuberculosis and
from fatty degeneration of the liver.
Wife is Reticent.
New York, June 29.-Mrs. Thaws
appearance before the grand jury had
been looked forward to with consider
able interest, as it was thought she
possibly would take advantage of the
occasion to throw some additional light