Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1906-07-16

: New York, July 15.-without making
afry comment and positively refusing
TO discuss his reasons for his action.
Harry K Thaw, now in the Tombs
awaiting trial for the murder of STAN
ford White, Saturday made publ: the
fact that he had dispensed with the
services of his counsel Back. Olcott,
Gruber & Bonynge.' who had represent
ed his case up to date. and announced
at the same time that hereafter his
counsel would be Clifford w. Hart
ridge.
The letter, which is dated Saturday,
is as follows:
"Messrs. Black, Olcott. Gruber &
Ronynge:
Dear Sirs-After careful considera-
ton, l have concluded to make
change in my attorneys, and While
have no possible criticism to make OF
your conduct of my case. my decision IS
such that have concluded to no long
er retain you as my attorneys. You
will therefore regard your connection
with my case finished, ana viii please
deliver all papers in my case to clifford
w. Hartridge.
II have sent a copy Of this letter to
Mr.. Hartridge and ask you to COM
municate with him at once.
Yours truly,
HARRY X. THAW."
The original of the letter was sent
BY Thaw to the office of ex-Judge VIII
liam NJ. X. Olcott early Saturday
morning. 1t came to the firm ike Z.
thunderbolt out OF a clear sky.
There had been friction for some days
between Thaw and his counsel, but no.
body expected that their services would
be dispensed with, especially AFTER SO
much work had been done toward es-
tablishing defence.
1t Is said that Thaw has been paik-
ing against tho insanity plea from the
very first. He insists That he rs not III
sane, that he never was, ana 'iiit liz
will be able at the right time I" con
vince a jury Of II citizens that ne "as
perfectly justified in killing Hhlte-
Thaw has insisted right along Una ne
never had the slightest DOUBT as 70 III.
final outcome of his trlal, ana Tia
+hora couId be only one verdict-no'
guilty-and not on account OF li'San,.s
hut s,mply ?, verdict of not guilty
which would carry with 1t an apsoiu''
acquittal. r,,,
l
that he might be insane he fough
against such proposition. ne 10Y
his LAWYERS all they had to do was u
1ooL nm the record of Stanford White
and they could easily find that tn
LuI;np was really an act of justice.
II is also said Thaw suggested that
,er4.in line of work be done for hin
1,Jhtrt,. his counsel did not approve
ara that he then decided to chang
counsel.
shortly after Thaw was brought t
4ha Tombs he sent for Clifford w
partridge. He had known him 10
many years Mr.. Hartridge is grea
student. He Is about 40 years old an
an athlete. He was born in Savannah
"a and graduated from Yale Univer
sity.
Tho final crash came Saturday whel
Thaw learned that an effort might
made on the part Of the district At
torney or somebody else to nave com
mission appointed as to his sanity an
that as A result he might be sent t
an insane asylum.
Neither Judge Olcott nor Mr.. McMan
us would say a word after they learne
that the letter had been made pubic
Somebody had suggested that maybe
WAS n matter of finance and that JUG
Olcott's firm had demanded too big
fec. but that was denied. AS far as
known there never has been any re
striction as to money.
When Mr. Jerome was informed
Thaw's action he smiled knowingly
There are many who believe that be
fore the end of the week Mr.. Olcot
and his firm will be back on the side o
the ThawS' defence.