The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-02-13
SERIOUS CLASH
Of LEGAL GIANTS
IN THAW CASE
CONTINUED FROM PAGE ~

sound condition of mentality following
the removal of the cause of stress
DIR. Evans may be cross-eXamined to-
morrow. although Mr.. Jerome had not
indicated his course. 1t may be that
Mr.. Delmas will recall Mrs. Thaw TO
continue her story now that the expert
witnesses have testified as to Travis in
sanity prior to the tragedy.
DR.. Evans Testifies.
The fact that today was Lincon's
birthday and consequently legal holiday
in this state, had no effect on the Thaw
trial which went ahead at the usual hour
this morning. Justice Fitzgerald ordered
last week that owing to the hardship on
the jury, which is to remain locked up
| until the end of the trial. there would
be no recess on the holiday.
When Thaw was on his way to his
place at counsel table, and as he was
removing his ulster coat. and for some
moments after taking his seat he kept
his eyes on District Attorney jerome and
ignored his own counsel for the time be-
ing. Mr.. Jerome was busy with his papers
and did not notice Thaw's somewhat UNI
usual action.
The first witness called by Mr.. Delmas
was u Britton ID. Evans. superintend-
ent of the State Insane hospital at Morris
Plains, n. j. DR.. Evans is short. thick
set smooth faced man with ford COM
plexion. He spoke slowly and distinctly.
He said he was born I'm 1858 and graduated
from the Baltimore College of Physicians
and Surgeons in 1885. and afterward did
post graduate work at Johns Hopkins.
He was for many years assistant superir-
tendent Of the Maryls ed Hospital for the
insane and was afterwards superintend-
ent of the hospital at Morris Plains n.
Il q tsgtVA
of 1900 patients DR.. Evans said he had
written and spoken a great deal on the
subject of insanity. and that he had APP
peared i'm a majority of cases in New Jer-
sey where mental derangement or inca
pacity had to do with the matter under
investigation. In several cases the witness
declared he had represented both the
prosecution and the defense by consent
of counsel and under appointment by the
court.
The witness knew Harry Thaw: first
saw him August 1. 1906, in the Tomhs,
and in all visited him eight times.
DIR. Evans said he was alone on the vis-
its of August and October 4. At other
times he was accompa MED by Dr. Charles
G. Wagner. who testified yesterday
What He Observed.
"What. during those visits. did YOU OBJ
serve in the mental condition of Mr.
Thaw?'
ION the first visit on August lie ex-
hibited n peculiar facial oppression, Slal-
ing of the eyes, restlessness OF the eye,
susnicious of his surroundings and of a
nervous agitation and restessness such rs
comes from severe brain storm common
in those who have recently gone throusil
an explosive of Illuminating condition 81
mental unSoundness. He exhibited de-
lusions of a personal character an eN-
aggerated ego, and along with them de-
fusion of desultory character. He
| thought himself of exaggerated import
ance and seemed to be possessed or Il
number of persons"
! BY "exaggerated ego" DIR. Evans said
| he meant 'disproportonate idea OF I'M
| portance of self. a belief that one is
| clothed with powers. capacity and ability
| far above normal or above those actually
| possessed.
These symptoms. he said, were charac-
| teristic OF several mental diseases. Onc
| Of the mental wealln esses indicated by
| Thaw's action, Or. Evans declared. is
| known as adolescent insanity. 1t is char
acteristie of the development period of
| life, from 10 to 40 years of age. The per-
/ son thus afflicted is know having a
psychopathie faint, a predispostion to
mental unsoundness. the result of hered-
ity.
"Another form of insanity indicated"
said the witness. lis known as paran-
oiad. or fixed insanity on some subject
The third is maniacal. where the patient
iumps from one idea to another. These
forms and others are characterized by
the exaggerated ego. They are well de-
fined forms about which there can he No
difference Of opinions.
lis there any specific name, DOCTOR
ask ed Mr- Dalmas. given to that form