Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-01-18
JEROME TAKES new
TACK IN THAW TRIAL,
Wants Everyone, Even Reporters, Ex'
cIuded--- Polite to ThaW'S Mother
Shouts Loudly at Evelyn.

morning session by Miss Alice G..
Fletcher of Washington, d. c., long
4 friend of the Thaws and a frequent
visitor at their home. She said she
had known Harry Thaw for &c years
and he had always impressed her as
Irrational. Miss Catherine O'Ncill, who
nursed ThaW Us a boy from his third
to his tenth year, added her evidence
to that already adduced as to cratic
conduct and tendencies Of the defend
ant. Two doormen at the police sta
ton where Thaw was confined the
night IF the tragedy repeated their
testimony of last year about Thaw's
irrational appearance and his COM
planning OF noises that did not exist.
The trial may be concluded in two
more weeks.
New York. Jan. 17.-Miss Alice C..
Fletcher, Of Washington, d. c., who
said she had been a frequent visitor at
the Thaw household in Pittsburg and
had known Harry X. Thaw for &c
years, was the first witness at the lat
ter's trial today.
She declared that Thaw was an I'M
usual child, nervous and moody, with
wild and staring eyes. He seldom talk
ed coherently and was unable to carry
on sustained conversation.
Throughout the period you knew
Harry Thaw, did his acts and appear
ance impress you as rational or IRA
tional," asked Mr.. Littleton. "Irration-
al" declared the witness.
Mrs William ThaW, mother of the
defendant, who reached the city last
night at : o'clock from Pittsburg. was
at the court house today ready to take
the stand when called. She plainly
showed the evidence Of her recent ILL
ness.
Miss Fletcher told of seeing Thaw
at his mothers home in 1903. Thaw
said he had an awful experience. that
he believed he had 4 terrible disease
of the eyes, and thought he was going
to die--in fact he wanted to die. He
mentioned Evelyn Nesbitt's name fire.
quently but his talk usually was 200
incoherent to follow. His eyes looked
without seeing. apparently.
On crOss-eXaminatiOn Miss Fletcher
said that although a frequent guest OF
the Thaws she had never known Harry
to be placed under restraint in any
way.
Mr.. Jerome wanted to know if the
witness impression of Thaw was only
of an eccentric manner or 4 person OF
unsound mind. He impressed me al
ways as a person who was not ration
AL" declared Miss Fletcher.
Did You observe that his sense of
perception differed from the normal
person. II have no way of deter
mining that
Then you did not notice any differ
ence?" Miss Fletcher was not willing
to admit this.
Mr.. Jerome was most considerate in
his questioning of the witness, who
dressed in black and with gray hair
did not appear at first glance unlike
the prisoners mother.
did you ever counsel with his moth
er as to Thaws mental condition.
asked the prosecutor. II remember his
mothers anxiety and her speaking to
me about it,
Mr.. Jerome asked: Had you ever
before observed d young man who told
you Of a beautiful young woman who
had been greatly wronged?" "No."
Miss Fletcher insisted that Thaw's
talk constantly was incoherent.
Catherine O'Neill, an elderly woman,
who was a nurse in the Thaw family
for six years and took charge Of Harry
K. Thaw when he was between three
and four years of age, followed Miss
Fletcher and told of the childhood of
the defendant She described him as
very nervous and moody. He would
have nervous outbreaks ending in
complete collapse. His mouth would
| twitch and there were general facial
contortions. The nervous outbreaks oc-
Cured during all of the years the nurse
was in the employ Of the family, caus-
| ing her to conclude that Harry5s mind
was affected. 1t was necessary, she
said, to call in the family physician af-
ter his outbreaks. Thaw suffered from
ST. Nitus dance following scarlet fe-
yer.
Mr.. 1-ittleton here caused a ripple
CONTINUED on Page Five.)