Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1907-01-31
Trial Of Harry Thaw for the Murder
Of Stamford White Begins
In New York.
WRITER'S AAD POLICE CLASH
Family Of Accused Millionaire In
court-Jurors Questioned by JeF-
one--oeneral Public Not Ad-
mltted to Court Room.

the opening trial Of Harry X. Thaw
Wednesday on the charge Of murder
ing Stanford White, Most OF the
clashes were between reporters and
correspondents and the police. OF
tho newspaper men there we're per
haps 200 and there was q policeman
for each. The great squad OF blue
coats was commanded BY q police IN
spector. Only about 50 newspaper
men finally were admitted. the 70
mainder Of the space In the court
room being reserved for the wv
talesmen summoned on the special
Jury pansl.
The trial began before yuSuce Fly
gerald in the supreme court and was
scheduled for 1880 o'clock Before
that time the police lines bad bean
extended from the corridor adtacsns
to the court room to include The en-
tire first floor Of the criminal courts
building. The pubiia had been
warned in advance not to attampt 70
get into the court room. and lew
appeared.
The quarrels with the police which
had filled the hour preceding the triai
were quickly forgotten at 10 o'clock.
when Mrs. william Thaw Of Pittsburg,
mother Of the defendant appeared In
the court room. She was dressed IN
her customary black and was veiSed.
Following her came the Countess OF
Yarmouth and Mrs. George Lauder
Carnegie, her daughters Mrs. Evelyn
Nesbit Thaw, wife Of Harry. came
next and was closely followed BY MAY
Mckenzie, the actress to whose home
Evelyn Thaw fled the night OF the
tragedy on Madison Square Roof gar
den. June 25 last. The party Of reia'
tives was completed by Edward
Thaw, Harry's brother, and George
Lauder Carnegie, his brother-in-law'
The examination Of the first tales
man was followed with the keenest
interest. as It was thought the line
Of questioning by the attorneys for
Thaw would develop the character
of the defense they are to get up
There was disappointment IN this 70
spect. The defendants counsel seem
ed willing to accept any proposed
Juror who satisfactorily answered the
questions put by District Attorney
Jerome. who personally conducted tne
examinations. The defense peremp
torily challenged two talesmen, how
ever, who gave their business as ar
chitects.
Mr. Jerome asked each talesman IN
turn If he would be Influenced by tne
40 called higher or unwritten law to
the exclusion. of the actual laws Of
the state as they would be laid down
bv Justice Fitzgerald. There was
none to say he would not accept the
courts ruling on all qusetions OF law
On the question Of insanity as an
excuse for crime, Mr.. Jerome explain
ed 10 each talesman that the law ex
cused only those persons who were Ia
boring under such defective reason
as not to know the nature or the qual
lty of the act committed, or even tc
know the act was wrong.
The talesmen said that in this too
they would be guided solely by thu
court.
The usual percentage Of talesmeI
who declare their conscientious scru
pies against capital punishment wal
missing. On the other hand. ever!
talesman examined said he had form
ed or expressed an opinion in TIL
case. All admitted, however. tina
: their opinions were based on newspa
per reports and these had been 80 con
, flicting from time to time as to maxi
, their opinions susceptible of chang
by actual evidence.
The presence Of three noted alien
lists In the court room as prosDecli''
witnesses for the prosecution, Great
ed some comment.
] Thaw sat during the day at tn
} table set apart for his counsel. A
7 times he seemed to take lively In
terest in the examination Of the mel
summoned to decide his fate. Agaij
ne would seem listless and his eyes
deep set and having something OF
stare. roved about the court room
His face was pallid. doubtless due q
his seven months confinement In tn
Tombs.
The two Jurors selected were turn
ed over to a baIliff who will hav
them In charge until the end Of tn
: trial. They are Deming B. Smith,
retired manufacturer Of umbrellas
and Charles H. Fecka an smnloS
, ing tedmSter.
There viii be two daily sessions o
the trial, concluding each Afternoon
at s o'clock