New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-01-21
THAW CASE UP TO-DAY.
FIRST STEP IN BATTLE.
Defendant May Not Appear-Ad-
iOurnment to Wednesday Likely.

toward acQOlJJdl OF COuVlCIlOu IIlC nlAAAue Va
Stanford White, when his ease is called before
Justice Fitzgerald in the Criminal Branch Of
the Supreme Court While the action to-day
is mere formality before the actual trial ITSELF
it will bring his counsel the prosecution and the
special panel of two hundred talesmen. from
which jury will probably be selected, into court
for the first time.
Seven months. lacking only four days, have
elapsed since Thaw on the roof OF Madison
Square Garden. June %. shot TO death STAN
ford White, of the best known architects
In the United States. Since that time the case
has probably for long continued interest and
widespread notoriety exceeded any murder case
in recent years. There have been cases OF note
where the prosecution not only had TO find a
motive. but, after a defendant had been arrested.
had to fix the crime him. In this case how
ever, the shooting undeniably deliberate.
with no doubt Of the right defendant What the
motive was is still conjecture.
For the last six months or more the only mo-
tive that has even been advanced was the
known hatred OF Thaw for White. Thaw's
young wife, who was Florence Evelyn Nesblt.
an artists model and chorus girl. was the cause
for this enmity, and the many ways IN which
White, a big hearted man. had befriended the
Nesbit family. particularly Evelyn, aroused
Thaw's anger Thaw. it has been alleged. be-
the young wife, but this has never been proved
Theories founded upon the possibility that Thaw
was irresponsible at the time OF the shooting
have frequently been advanced. but generally
cast aside The defence Il is believed. viii be
either emotional insanity or justihable homi-
eide.
The shooting Of Stanford White took place
while the last act OF Mile. Champagne was be-
ing given it's first presentation on the opening
night at the Madison Square Roof Garden.
Without a word OF warning White. who was
seated at a side table. was shot by Thaw. From
that moment. II o'clock on the night Of June
%. 1906. interest IN the case has hardly tagged
and to-day IS as great as. IL not greater than.
ever.
Almost from the outset some experts be-
Of the shooting and still IS insane. but Thaw
would have none Of II. The law firm OF
Black Olcott. Gruber q Bonyuge was re-
tanned by Thaw TO defend him. Ex-Judgs
William NJ X. OlcOtt tried his best 20 have
Thaw accept insanity plea, but Thaw
fought against It with might and main. Mrs.
William Thaw. his mother. was in England with
her daughter. the Countess Of Yarmouth. at the
time OF the shooting. She returned as quickly
she could. and instead Of backing up the
lawyers. agreed with her son. and soon after
WdTQ ME- OiCOIL ana MS dropped OUT OK inc
case. Clifford W. Hartrtdge was then retained
as principal counsel. with his partner. A Rus
sell Peabody. John 3. Gleason was also re-
tanned. and a score OF other lawyers were en-
ployed to get evidence for the defence.
The dropping OF ex-Judge Olcott, the retain
ing OF new counsel and the daily visits OF
Evelyn Thaw 70 the Tornbs kept the case con-
stantly before the public. Stories were IN
earthed protesting to tell OF the private life Of
Thaw, as well OF Stanford White.
Thaw's first appearance In court was In the
Jefferson Market police court on the morning Of
June 20 when he was formally committed 70
the Tombs on a charge OF homicids. The in
quest into the death OF White was called on
June %, Thaw was calm all the time. although
his physical appearance at that period showed
the strain he was under. He was indicted by
the grand jury the same day. and went to the
Tombs in the so-called 'AIurderers' Row for
his long wait OF over six months
II was during July that the witnesses both OF
the shooting and Of alleged scandals before. be-
gan 20 tell their stories the District ATTORNEY
and TO counsel for the defence. A number OF
chorus girls and models were examined and their
testimony sworn 10. Later John B. Gleason. Of
Thaw's counsel. stayed the District Attorney
from taking testimony OF these women by OBJ
tanning from the Supreme Court an order Of pro-
hibition But IN spits OF it and OF other legal
moves the District Attorney examined practical
ly all the witnesses whose testimony he desired
About November Dolphin NJ DeImas. a we'll
known criminal lawyer OF San Francisco. was
retained by the defence. principally to make thu
summing UP.
Every afternoon during the summer months
following the incarceration Of Thaw In the
Tombs Mrs. Harry X. Thaw and Miss Macken-
ze. Of Pittsburg, an aunt OF Mrs Harry Thaw
and a cousin OF Miss May Mackenzie who has
been subp9naed TO appear at the trial. were to
be seen riding In Central Park. Sometimes Mira
Thaw, accompanied by Miss Mackenzie or by an
intimate friend Of hers while a student at Pam
leo. " J., would vary her exercise by walking
around the reservoir in the upper end OF the
park.
\ point of interest TO come up IN the early pars
OF the trial Will be Evelyn Nesbits posing as an
art model. Artists she has posed for in
New York and Pittsburg say she posed only for
head and shoulders. II was I'm Pittsburg that
Evelyn Nesbit. then child hardly In her teens
first posed for a head in an idyllic group. This
was shortly after her mother had spent the
money left to her by Evelyns father. At that
time there was a split in the family over the
way in which Mrs. Holman got rid Of the money
left to her. II was then that she came TO New
York with her daughter and son.
The proceedings to-day will last only a short
time. and in all probability. Thaw will not an
pear personally I'm the courtroom, as his counsel
may answer for him at this time The case Will
probably be postponed until Wednesday or
Thursday in all likelihood to the latter day.
Then the examination of the special panel OF
talesmen will be begun
II is understood that the District Attorney In
iirap