Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-03-25
mig % IS 255-27 %

Peabody complete the list OF counsel who
filed aftidavts. The alienists who de-
clare Thaw capable of understanding the
proceedings against him are Drs. Britton
D. Evans, Charles G. Wagner, Graemo
NJ. Hammond and Smith T. J,llifte. This
physicians also relate at great length
many of the incidents of the trial and
many Of the daily conversations they
have had with Thaw. DR.. Evan; says:
IAN occasional evidence Of slight ner-
vousness or unrest upon, the part of tn"
defendant during a trial lasting about
one-siXth of a year cannot be construed
in my opi!4ion as an evidence Of a lacl,
of perception or realization Of the signiti-
canoe Of such legal proceedings 50 seri-
ouSly affecting the interests Of the de-
PENDANT.
DR. Wagner in his affidavit rays that
when DR.. Allan McLane Hamilton was
called to the stand. and the crisis in the
trial was precipitated, Thaw turned to
him and said:
Did you and DR.. Evans know that DR..
Hamilton was to be called?'
I'r. Wagner replied that he did not
know of it. Thaw declared Delmas
should have excused DR.. Hamilton imme
diatcly after having him say that he had
termed an opinion as to Thaw's insanity
on June % last
Mrs. William Thaws affidavit. which
was made public during the late after
noon, is confined wholly to family his
tory, and begins:
1.-THE move by the prosecution for an
inquiry into the advisability of n lunacy
n sim, for my L Th1u
aft 1rds me the long desired opportunity
Of giving all the facts in relation to the
alleged hereditary epilepsy and insanity,
stripped of all vcrbiage, which malicious;
misrepre sentatior and gross exaGgeration
| have thrown around him.
"FirSt | wish to emphatiCally stat.
that in the direct line Of descent for four
generations, if we include that Of the dc
| PENDANT himself. there is no trace ot
either epilepsy or INSANITY.
With regard to John Thaw, the pate-.
nal grandfather Of Harry Thaw, the aft
| davit declares he lived to be 81 years If
age and was a. man Of such determined
will and force Of character that llp to Z
week before his death he would have
| beer equal to have conducted n meeting
| OF bank directors save for bodily infrm-
tiles"
William Thaw. the father Of Harry
| Thaw, was one of II, all of whom Mrs.
Thaw declares. inherited a measure ot
| tn" inGomitable strength of their father.
The youngest Of these, after an attack OF
scarlet fever. developed n tendency to
| cnileptiC attacks and these attacks con-
| tirued at intervals until his death at tn
| age Of 80 years. Mrs. Thaw says the
children and grandchildren of Mrs.
] liersh. however. ere absolutely free from
my suggestion Of epilepsy. Thi, is the
/ only case Of known epilepsy or insanity
| in this line Of the prisoners family.
| Josiah Copley. the natural grandfathCr
Of the defendant. lived to be So years of
age was Journalist and continued writ
ing for the Pittsburg Gazette until with
| in three months of his death. With re-
| gard To the alleged insanity OF Josiah
| Cnploy. Jr.. n brother of Mrs William
| Thaw. she declares that he had 4 most
| brilliant mind and was class dav orato:
at Amherst College. His orator." saws
Mrs. Thaw. Impressed the faculty a.; Sc
profound in its eruditinn that they in judi
| Clously decided not To limit him a. t.
time. with the result that it, cos, va
| Immediately followed ~ an attack ri
brain fever. which shattered for a time
his nervous system
| Josiah. Jr.. was discharged after seven
months enlistment in the Civil war. was
a prisoner in Libby prison. j. now in Wig
orous health and sound mind at three
score years and ton.