Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1906-06-30
THAW PLEADS NOT GUILTY.
CONTINUED from Page One.)

a revolver to kill White, or that the
killing was premeditated, will be de-
MED. The defence is prepared to prove
that Thaw had been accustomed. for
more than two years, to carry a re-
yolver. About two years ago, accord
ing to evidence in its possession. Thaw
was attacked by thugs while out late
one night, and since that time had
carried weapon.
Thaw's action in telephoning Anthony
Comstock yesterday aroused much in
terest Mr.. Comstock in an interview
| is quoted as saying that he is willing
| TO appear for the defence If called upon
and give evidence as to Whites con-
duct.
About a year and a half ago." said
Mr.. Comstock, 'Thaw came to me and
complained about Whites actions. At
ter his marriage he came to me many
times He saw me again about two
weeks before the murder.
LAS to Thaws purpose in furnishing
me with this evidence against White.
| I sincerely believe it was prompted by
| the purest motives. 1 do not mean that
Thaw thought White should be muir
dered. but that he should be taken out
of the community by legal processes
and put in prison. Thaw seemed to
have an awful weight upon his heart
when he visited me. but 1 was unable
to fathom it, and he never volunteered
any information on the subject.
ION the strength of his information
and from that received in anonymous
letters, which corroborated Thaw's
statements, 1 endeavored to get at the
truth with view to securing a convic-
ton, if possible.
"But when it came to preparing a
| case against White many difficulties
confronted me. The result was that
had no substantial evidence to offer in
legal action which would make q con-
| viction certain. My ill success in not
| bringing White to trial seemed to de-
| press Thaw. AS to whether l believe
this depression caused Thaw to commit
the murder, 1 do not care to say"
The strain of yesterdays proceed
| ings seriously affected Mrs. ThaW. She
had hardly reached her apartments
when she tainted and it was necessary
to call a physician to revive her
Thaw has had several unpleasant eX-
periences with prison discipline since
his confinement III the Tombs, but his
keepers say that on each occasion he
has met them gracefully. He had con-
siderable difficulty in getting to sleep
last night because of the intense heat
in his CELL and about midnight called a
keeper and asked permission to walk in
the corridors.
''r'--, c0~-'v" rnrI'o1 tho teerer "hut
the regulations forbid prisoners leaving
/ 49,. 1870. -4uiIi5 me ilISIL.
.'''-' ~-,nes 7 don't walk" was
Thaw's comment as he returned to his
cot.
IN hour later he asker for a lunch,
l.',t or-1'r tho ~~teor regulations were
called to his attention.
lien / ,.on't eat, either said ThaW
with smile and q few minutes later
he was sound asleep. He was up early
this morning, and by the time the gong
sounded at Z o'clock was ready for the
morning exercise in the corridor.
Talking to one of the keepers about
the exercise he got in prison, he said 1t
was hardly enough for him, as he had
been in the habit of swinging Indian
clubs every morning when he first got
| up. He asked if it would not be pos
| sible for arrangements to be made for
him to have either pair of clubs or
dumb bells brought to him. so that he
could get more exercise.
Not on this tier" was the keeper
diplomatic way of informing Thaw that
prisoners charged with murder are not
| allowed to have weapons of any kind.
| or anything else with which they might
possibly do themselves or others injury.
While waiting for the opening Of
court Thaw sat near an open window
in the Bridge of Signs which connects
the prison with the criminal court
building. He talked freely during his
brief stay but declined to say anything
whatever concerning his case. He ap-
peared to be in good physical condi-
ton.
Thaw was taken into Justice cow
ing's court. where he was to plead 70
the murder charge behind three other
prisoners, one of whom was 4 negro
charged with larceny. His appearance
was very little different from that OF
| yesterday, excepting that he was
| slightly paler When his case was call
ed Thaw stepped brislly to the bar
| rier of which his counsel. eN-Judge
| Olcott and T. j. MCManus were sitting
at a table with Assistant District At
| torneys Caravan and Holt. When
Clery Tenney read the charge Of muir
der in the first degree for the killing
of Stanford White, he asked Thaw what
he had to say in regard to the indict-
ment and the prisoner answered direct
| ly mot guilty"
| His counsel Immediately interposed
an amendment to the plea, asking OF
| the court for leave to withdraw the plea
any time up to next Tuesday This
was granted and a moment later the
prisoner reentered prison.
Thaw was remarkably cool and col
| lecred during his brief visit to the
courtroom and prior to that ordeal ne
sat time in the Bridge of Signs.
Mrs. Thaw, according to the prison.
er's lawyers. had not been down town
during the forenoon, but she was ex-
pected to call upon her husband as well
as his legal advisers sometime later in
the day.
| According to the Globe today, inves-
1 hoc 70 Ecybf "a act