Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-03-06
Declares Son Was Sadly
Changed After Visit
to Paris.
new MOVE BY STATE
Jerome Intimates Belief De-
fendant Was intoxicated
on Night of Murder.

New York, March G-The way was
cleared this morning for the taking of J
the testimony of Mrs. William Tina"
ar the trial Of her son, Harry X. Tha#,
of the murder of Stanford White. Dis
trict Attorney Jerome concluded his
long cross examination of DR. Charles
Wagner of BinghamptOn, y. Y, one
of the alienists for the defense and
after a few questions on redirect and
recross examination. the expert was
finally excused just before the lunch
con recess was ordered. Thaws cOup-
sci then stated the defendants mother
would be called at the afternoon ses-
sion
Hints at intONicntiOn.
Jerome today took new course in the
cross examination of DR.. Wagner ands
asked if in the acts surrounding the
killing of Stanford White. there WAS
anything to enable the witness To dii
ferentiate between insanity and into:
ication.
Wagner declared there was nothinZ
whatever to indicate intoXication, but
much to Indicate insanity Wagner
of unsound mind when he married. b.
had sufficient intelligence to know
what he was doing.
Mrs. That Called.
Mrs William Thaw was the first
witness called after recess. She said
she noticed a change in her son when
he came TO Pttsburg in 1908. He was
absent minded and apparently had lost
interest in life. Mrs. Thaw broka
down and cried while narrating tho
change in her son following the trip -
Europe with Evelyn in 1903 In eX.
planning his changed condition to heG
Mrs. Thaw said Harry told her tha
"wickedest man in New York had
ruined his life
Read 10 Jury.
Mrs. Thaw. after recovering from
her first breakdown. seemed about 20
cry again and could not proceed. Just
ice Fitzgerald relieved the situation
by ordering all her testimony up 20
that time read to the jury. 1t had been
given in a voice TOO low for the jury
10 hear.
Broke Down I'm Church.
Mrs. Thaw told of Harry breaking
down in church with her in Pittsburg,
and saying awful things had come over
him and if it had not happened Eve
lyn might be with them. Witness said
the impression of the change in Harry
grew on her. She said his room was
next to hers. Often in the night she
heard smothered sobs from Harry AMI
frequently found him sitting ups at >
or 4 in the morning
Hints at Suspending Trial.
In arguing on an objection by Je
rome, Delmas said he would invoke
the rule of law that Thaw. being III
sane in 1903, continued insane in 1901
IF that presumption is sound SAID
Jerome, there is no reason to believe
the defendant is not insane today, and
it becomes the duty of the court uC
suspend the trial"
Objections Overruled.
Jerome said he was not suggesting
the appointment of a commission il
lunacy at this lime. but was ADVANCING
the point as an argument on the ques
tiUn as to whether Mrs. Thaw shOuij
. be allowed to repeat all conversation.
with her son. Justice Fitzgerald over
ruled Jerome's objection to Mrs
Thaw's telling of the conversation
with her son. He said the Questio:
on the appointment of a lunacy com
mission was not before the court
Past Life n Closed Book.
Mrs. Thaw said she came TO New
York in 1905 to meet Evelyn Nes5i
and then gave her appreciation to tn
marriage with Harry. Mrs. Thaw sal,
she laid down one condition as to tn
marriage-that Evelyns past lif
should he a closed book-never to b
referred TO.
Battling Nelson in Court.
New York, March 6.-"Battling
Nelson. the pugilist. was the center {
attraction in the court room whec
Harry X. Thaw was on trial for hi
life today, occupying the entire after
tiOn of the spectators up to the tim
the defendant was called TO the ba1
Nelson was accompanied by his MAJ
ager. William Nolan. and they occupie
seats just behind the prisoner. In al
ticipaton of continuance of expei
testimony. there were many empt
seats in the court room.
Wagner Again Called.
DR.. Charles G.. Wagner of Bnghaml