The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-02-03
Prisoner Takes His Place With
Several Hundred Other Pa
tients In MatieaWan
CELEBRATED ALIENISTS
VISIT INSTITUTION
Doctors Evans and Jellffe Have Ar
rived at Matteawan and II Is Be-
lieved They Came to Make
Study of Thaw.

Matteawan, n. Y, February 2.-Hany
X. Thaw began today the routine of a
simple life which the authorities at the
state hospital for the criminal insane say
win make his long stay in the Tombs
prison in New York city seem like the
height of gaiety in comparison The new
patient in the observation ward slept
soundly last night, the presence of the
so other men in the dormitory not giving
him the slightest concern. 1t was after
the usual retiring hour when Thaw
reached the hospital last night, and he
Immediately went to bed. He had enjoyed
the trip from New York as well as the
dinner at the hotel in Fishkill landing
with his counsel and one or two news
paper friends.
Although the two deputies who accom-
panied him were guests at the dinner
there was no suggestion of prison or asy-
lum restriction during the repast, and
Thaw found the occasion much to his
liking. He arose this morning at 6 O'Clock
and ate a hearty breakfast at the knife
and fork table" Only IS men out of the
more than 700 In the institution are al
lowed this privilege, the others being re-
stricted to spoons
Thaw seemed much refreshed from his
sound sleep, and declared he needed the
| rest after the trying hours OF Friday
night and Saturday, while the jury was out
and seemingly unable to agree upon a
verdict. About 500 men were in the main
dining room when Thaw reached the
breakfast table today. and he was the
center of attention.
The novelty of the patients presence
had not worn off by dinner time. and he
was compelled again to eat under the
scrutiny of many eyes. No arrangements
for specially prepared meals having yet
been made for him, Thaw shared the hos
pital fare with all the others. His dinner
included roast pork, potatoes, sauer-
kraut bread, butter and coffee.
At D, M Thaw attended divine serv-
ices in the hospital auditorium or theatre,
conducted by the Rev. Harry Sheldon,
rastor of the Fishkill Landing Methodist
Episcopal church One hundred patients
were present and Thaw expressed a desire
TO attend Unless patients especially re-
ouire it, they do not attend the Sunday
religious services, which are conducted
by ministers of various denominations.
During the day Thaw declared to one Of
the attendants that he probably would not
be in the hospital more than one week.
He said his lawyers would sue out writ
of habeas corpus in his behalf and he
was sure he would be allowed his liberty
as the result of a hearing in court or al
inquiry before commission.
ThaW's picture and measures for the
hospital records will be taken during tho
early part of the week. He already has
given his age to the authorities as 81
years. During his stay in the observation
ward, prior to being assigned to some par
ticular division or to private quarters,
ThaW will be under the immediate super
vision of DR.. Amos T. Baker, one of
the medical assistants to Superintendent
Lamb. Dr. Baker said today he would
rot allow Thaw to have liquor and to-
bacco unless his condition seemed to de-
niand them for a time i'll medical mod-
Grafton.
Thaw brought large sum of money
with him to the hospital, but finding he
would not be allowed it's custody, handed
ii to a newspaper man who turned 1t
over to his counsel. During the week
provision will be made by the family for
special meals and table delicacies for
Thaw, the money being placed in the
hands of the authorities. At O'Clock
this afternoons Dr.. Britton ID. Evans Of
Morris Plains, y. j., and Dr. Smith Ely
JeIiffe of New York, alienists, arrived
at the hospital. They were employed by
the defense in both trials of Harry X.
Thaw and while both evaded questions
regarding their presence here, it is said
they came at the instigation of Mrs. Will
lam Thaw to examine her son and be
prepared with evidence when habeas cor
pus proceedings are brought up to iberate
him
I'VE just had a Sunday off, said DR..
Evans, who declared at the first trial that
1haw had "brainstorm,' 80 we came
up to see Harry"