The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1907-04-24
THAM WOULD BE BOSS.
Story of How His Counsel Were cho-
sen-Senator Knox Rejected Re

Story of How His Counsel were Sho-
sen-Senator Knox Rejected Re
tainer.
A New York sispatch says:
Light on the hidden perplexitles OF
AIRS. William Thaw in the matter OF
dealing with the problem of counsel
for her son was obtained yesterday
from an authoritative source.
It was declared that it was Mrs.
yVi.;;ano Thaw's original purpose to
have Harry Thaw declared insane
and committed to an asylum or sanl-
tarium last summer, and thereby
avoid his trial for murder, with the
attendant disclosures.
All the data necessary for sue
scessful plea of insanity had been co..
lected within a few weeks after the
killing of Stanford White, by olcott,
eYruber, Bonynge & MeManus ano
Daniel so'Reilly, the original counsel
IN the case. The night Of the murder
so,ReiIy started in on his own re-
.soonsi bility on the insanity plea an7
rounded up the different policemen
attached to the West 30th street po-
lice station, who subsequently test1-
fed to Thaw's irrational behavior the
first night of his incarceration
The aiienists whom ex-Judge Oh
cots firm Immediately retained and
who saw Thaw soon after he was re-
moved to the Tombs and looked into
MS family history all pronounced him
It is said, mentally irresponsible, and
eex-Judge olcott's arm went ahead on
this theory with the fun notion OF
MRS. Tnaw. senior, it is asserted.
These plans were all upset by
Thaw himself. After he had talked
with his two personal friends, Cliff
ford ". Hartr5dge and John B. G1ea-
son. .Thaw, it IS said, became cenvinc-
ed that an appeal to the higher or
unWritten law would result in his ac-
euittal and complete vindication Of
his killing of White. He was conf
dent not only Of escaping the electric
chair, but of avoiding Incarceration
In an asylum or sanitarium- His wife,
its said, took this view Of the case
also.
Mrs. William Thaw opposed any
change in the original plans with the
greatest determination, but was
powerless to shake her sons resolve.
He being of age and supposedly men
eally competent, it was impossible for
the mother to compel obedience to
her wishes. Most reluctantly she con-
.sented 10 the retirement Of ex-Judge
olcott,s firm and the substitution Of
the other lawyers.
Shortly before the trial began Mrs.
William Thaw. greatly perturbed in
mind. made hurried trip to Pitts
burg and held series of conferences
with United States Senator Knox,
ID. C. Watson and Charles F. Nc
Kenna. former United States dis
trict attorney for Porto Rico. She
besought each one OF them in turn to
take charge of her sons defense. 1t
is said that she offered Senator Knox
and Mr.. Watson 100000 and Mr.
acKenna almost as much.
Each Of the Pittsburg lawyers, it is
said, objected to entering the case on
the ground that the lawyers with
whom young Thaw had surrounded
himself made harmonious co-opera-
ton impossible. Each one also in
sisted that insanity was the only ten
able plea which the defense had.
One of the Pittsburg lawyers told
Mrs. Thaw, it is said, that if she
could eliminate certain of her sons
counsel and make him understand
that insanity >4aust be the plea, her
offer would be giren consideration.
This lawyer told her it was his wish
that Daniel o,Reilly be continued in
the case and that Dolphin NJ. Del
mas might remain, but only as as
=sistant advisory counsel.
Mrs. Thaw returned to this city, it
being arranged that Mr.. Watson
should follow in a few days and see
what progress had been made along
the lines indicated by the Pitts
burg lawyers Mr.. Watson did come
here and, it is understood, had q con-
ference in which Mr.. Hartridge was
the chief speaker. What happend
could not be learned, hut it is stated
that the conference terminated sud
denly. Mr.. Watson, much incensed,
washed his hands of the whole mat
ter, and when he returned to Pitts