The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1908-01-22

ney questioned Comstock along this
line to establish the fact that there
was nothing incoherent In the COM
munication.
Odd you know to what he REFER
red when he wrote of the "pie-girl?y
A-Oh, yes. knew IL was 10 a
famous dinner called by that name.
Mentioned Ethel Thomas.
DIN any OF these talks with Thaw
did he mention the name OF Ethel
Thomas?
Ayes.
Odd you have any understanding
with Mr.. Thaw about this term.
"Blackguard?
Al did.
Q-Was 1t any particular man?
Ayes.
Q-Who?
Ale used the name ''blackguard,"
in reference to Stanford White.
Q-After you talked with Thaw
what did you do?
! Al sent letter to the Society for
the Prevention OF Cruelty to Children.
| Jerome requested Comstock 10 bring
his letter book with the copy OF the
letter. and Mr.. Comstock agreed TO
do SO.
| Jerome explained to the court that
he could not proceed until the letters
he had asked for were produced.
! Justice Bowling directed Comstock
to produce all papers in his posses
sion that had any bearing on the case.
| Recess was then taken.
Mr.. Comstock earlier In the examin-
alton had said that Thaw had con-
tributed about $500 to the Society for
the Suppression OF Vice.
| In a letter written from the Hotel
wolcott, Thaw had told Comstock that
I he had discovered two victims OF
White. one a girl about 10 1-2 years
old In the Casino theater, and the
other Edna Chase.
| II was In a letter TO Mr.. Comstock
enclosing a check for 500 Thaw in
formed him that the suggestive pic
ture had been removed from the Twen-
ty-second-st. house.
II WIS reported about the criminal
court building this morning. that be-
fore many days elapse. Harry X. Thaw
will be called TO the witness stand by
Martin w. Littleton. to tell In his fash
1 ion the incidents leading to the killing
OF Stanford White.
Thaw, 1t is expected. will admit that.
since he shot White. a realization has
come TO him that prior to that eventful
time. he was swayed by strange I'm
pulses and governed by fancies. Since
the tragedy, however, he will tell, he
has been new man. mentally, and
the jury will be able to Judge for
themselves whether or not he Is now
sane.
| Insanity prior to the shooting OF
Stanford White is admitted and will
continue to be admitted by the de-
Tense. Since the tragedy. however. a
commission appointed by court has
adjudged Thaw a sane man and con-
tinual observation OF the young Pitts.
burger during the time he has been
| in the Tombs resulted In the same
opinion.
The "insanity Squad"
| The alienists who will testify for
the defense. II Is understood. will not
be called until Il has been establish.
ed as clearly as possible that Thaw
was insane prior TO the tragedy.
| These same alienists will render opin.
ions on the evidence tending to show
insanity, and at the same time will
testify to Thaw's sanity at the present
time.
"Great Shock" Theory.
| The theory that a great shock com.
pletely restores q twisted mind to
normality, will be proved fact.
This. 1t isesaid In well informed cir.
Giles. IL the plan simple OF the defense.
| Evelyn Thaw's testimony yesterday.
to the effect that Thaw did not APP
pear irrational just prior TO the time
he killed White, Is regarded. on hasty
Judgment, as blow to the defense.
To those who know, however. II is
clear that Attorney Littleton was well
satisfied.
| This indicated that the young wom-
an was In q delicate and dangerous
position, for to admit that she noticed
that Thaw irrational would be to admit
that she married man mentally In.
competent. She had no time to OBJ
serve his conduct while she was under
his protection and before she became
| his wife. ~
Attorney Littleton did not expect TO
add 10 the evidence OF insanity by the
testimony OF Mrs. Thaw. as Is plainly
indicated by his line OF direct examina-
ton.
| Battle Of Wits.
AS the trial proceeds 1t becomes far
more impressive as battle of superior
shrewdness, master generalship and
"jockeying" than was the first ordeal
of Thaw and his wife. Littleton main
tains great secrecy about his inten-
tons for the immediate future. and, TO
many, the surprises he will spring will
not be as great surprises as is now
thought by the defense.
1t is reported that Evelyn Thsw Ia
constantly Swallowed by detectives.
who report her every act to members
OF the Thaw family. This report IL
Regarded as enlightening on the grow.
Hing eeolness- between young MIS- Thaw
and the members OF her husbands
family.