Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-04-02
RATIONAL DURING THE TRIAL
DR.. Hamilton il Called to the Stand
and Asks Privileges.
PRIEST ALSO ON THE STAND
Mr.. Jerome Makes an Argument
About the Alleged Mental Disa-
bility Of the Defendant.

victory before the commission ap-
pointed to examine into the mental
condition of Harry K. Thaw today,
when he got the board to receive the
testimony of DR.. Allan McLane
Hamilton, whose replies to questions
asked him on the witness stand in
the trial proper were the basis for
the appointment of the commission.
NEW YORK, April 2-District Attorney
Jerome had q large array of witnesses
awaiting the pleasure Of the Thaw lunacy
commission today, among them Mrs. Evelyn
Nesbit Thaw. The young woman was
dressed in a dark brown cloth suit trimmed
with leather of the same shade. She wore
black straw sailor hat and automobile
VEIL The new costume still maintained the
school girl effect because Of the nat linen
collar caught with brown Windsor tie.
DR.. Charles F. Bingaman. the Thaw fam
fly physician from Pittsburg also was pres
ent today Other witnesses included Fred
erick w. Longfellow, the attorney formerly
employed by Thaw.
Nothing Irrational.
DR.. Frank A. Mcclure. the Tombs ply
sician. was the first witness called before
the commission. He said he had seen Thaw
two or three times a week since June q
last. DR.. Mcclure said he also had seen
Thaw every day of his trial.
WAS his conduct such at any time dur
to- k~lap
asked Chairman Mcclure Of the commits
sion.
mo, sir" said the witness.
you have talked with him In the Tombs
since the tfial began?"
Eyes, SIR"
WAS his talk sensible?'
Yes. sir, very sensible"
'Have you ever heard the defendant say
or see him do any irrational thing?'
DO you mean since his arrest or since
the trial began?" asked the witness.
"Since the trial began" said Mr.. Nc
Clure.
mo, sir; nothing
"Have you at any time seen him do any
thing irrational?"
NO sir; not with my own eyes"
Hearsay Matter.
DIR. Mcclure was asked about the book In
which he kept a record Of the prisoner. and
which District Attorney Jerome produced
before the commission on Saturday. He
said the book contained mostly hearsay
matter and but few original eptries by
himself
DR.. Mcclure said on cross-examination
that he had never made a special examina-
ton Of Thaw to determine his sanity. He
had been refused permission to be present
at Thaw's examination by the alienists for
the defense on June IS last.
DR.. Mcclure said he had not talked with
Thaw regarding his trial or his mental con-
dition. Their conversations had been cou-
fined to current topics.
Thinks Him Sane.
Michael ]. Delehanty, the first prison
guard who attend Thaw at his trial. fol-
lowed DR.. Mcclure on the stand. The wit
ness said Thaw always talked in an un-
derstandable way and appeared rational
throughout the time he had him in custody.
On cross-examination Delehanty said he
had not talked to Thaw about Stanford
White or about the house in West oath
street. In discussing the trial Thaw would
speak to him in general terms, saying II
had a good day today" or expressions like
that.
Chairman Mcclure wanted to know If the
witness thought Thaw had had a good day
when he used that expression.
"Yes sir 1t impressed me that way"
FRANKLIN J. Sheridan, another of Thaw's
guards, next was called. He said he had
never seen Thaw do anything irrational.
Cross-examined by the district attorney.
the witness said he had never discussed
Stanford White with his prisoner.
did you ever hear him say anything
about being st. George rescuing virgins
from red drasons:" asked Mr. Jerome.
Mrs. Emily s. Walker. probational Of
ficer Of the court of special sessions and
constant visitor to the Tombs, said she had
talked with Thaw many times prior to and
during his trial. His talk and manner Of
speech were always rational.
The Rev. John Armstrong Wade, the
Episcopalian chaplain in the Tombs, an
swering questions by Mr.. Mcclure said he
had often discussed various matters with
Thaw.
Have you ever noticed anything in his
conduct or speech which suggested irration-
ality?'' asked Mr.. Mcclure.
mot since the trial"
But before?'
Overwrought Condition.
II can't say that there was ever any
thing more than highly excited or over
wrought condition"
The witness never noticed anything In
Thaw's facial expression which suggested
irrationality. Thaw's conversations were
rational and at sometimes seemed unusual
ly keen.
District Attorney Jerome asked Mr.. Wade
II the first conversation he had with Thaw
after his arrest was rational or irrational.
Thaw, who sat inside the inner rail with
his counsel, tugged at Mr.. Hartridge's coat
sleeve and said in an audible whisper: OBJ
ject to that" Mr.. Hartridge did SO, but the
question was allowed.
His conversation at that time," said the
chaplain, was irrational"
The Rev. Luke ]. Evers. who conducts
the Roman Catholic services in the TOmbs,
also was called as a witness. He declared
he had discussed many topics with Thaw.
Including religion, and always found him
rational.
Lane Hamilton to take the stand.
Asks for Privilege.
s'When did you last see Harry K. Thaw?"
asked Mr.. Jerome.
"In July last"
eat whose instance did you CALI" inter-
rupted Chairman Mcclure.
s'At the instance of the defendants at
torneys And I would like to have your
honor's rule as to my privilege in this mat
teri said Dr. Hamilton.
Chairman Mcclure suggested to Mr.. Je-
rome that he ask the witness as to what
he had observed In court.
fO nrncaad along those lfnag