The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1908-01-18
YOUNG MRS THAW
AS A WITNESS
ONCE MORE
Jerome Objects to Publication
OF Horrible Story
JUDGE HALTS TRIAL TO DECIDE
Mother Tells Of Young Milllonare's
Early Irrational Conduct Thaw's
Wife Calm and Watchfui.

NEW YORK, Jan. 1S.-A series Of
surprises brought the Thaw trial near
crisis. as both Evelyn Thaw, the
wife, aud Mrs. William Thaw, the
mother Of the defendant, were on the
witness stand, and just as the former
was about to relate anew the story Of
her life as she told 1t to Thaw In Paris
In 1903 District Attorney Jerome arose
and suggested that In the interest Of
public morals all persons save those
Immediately interested in the case
should be excluded from the courtroom
during the recital Of what he termed
"a horrible tale" The motion included
the representatives Of newspapers as
well as the public generally.
Attorney Martin w. LittletOn Of the
defense joined In 1t to shield the young
woman from hundreds of curious eyes
and said that 50 far as the cOnstitu-
tiOnal right to an open hearing was
concerned he was ready to waive that
point in any ironclad manner the court
might suggest. Proceedings were sus-
pended until Monday morning, when
Justice Bowling, who is presiding,
will announce his decision.
The district attorneys suggestion
was distinct surprise and called
forth the remark from Justice Bowling
that it would have come with greater
force at the first hearing of the case.
When Mr.. Jerome arose, it was gener-
ally believed that he was about to con-
tend against the admissibility Of young
Mrs. Thaws testimony on the ground
that 1t could not have had a very seri-
Gus effect upon the mind Of the man
who subsequently became her hus-
band, inasmucf as the homicide did
not occur until three years thereafter.
Mr.. Jerome had previously objected
s to Mrs. Thaw detailing conversations
she had with Thaw three years prior
to the tragedy, but Justice Bowling
ruled that the declarations Of the de-
PENDANT were admissible on general
principles and without any reference
to the Wood case, under which the
evidence In dispute was admitted last
year and which Mr.. Jerome had been
expected to ask a construction Of this
year.
II will not except to your honor's
ruling" said the district attorney az
he took his seat after his objection,
-'for the state has no power Of ap-
peal"
Then Mr.. Jerome attacked the wit.
ness in another way and by standing
immediately in front Of her and object.
ing to practically every question which
Mr.. LittletOn asked In his preliminary
examination as to her early history cut
the young woman's recital from the
effective narrative 1t assumed last
year into a hundred fragments. Many
of the objections, based upon irrele-
vancy and immateriality, were sustain.
ed by the court. When these failed,
the prosecutor was ever ready with
others, until the testimony fairly was
torn into shreds and had lost entirely
the many little touches of human in.
terest which were part Of the nara.
ton last year, when no objections were
offered. Mr.. Jerome said his Objec-
lions were intended to cut out all
stories about pet cats land lot OF
other stufr' which had no place in the
trial.
The day, however, was one Of good
progress for the defense. The elder
Mrs. Thaw, pale and weak from hel
recent illness, was assisted to the wit
ness chair and repeated large part
Of the testimony she gave year ago
Her appearance and the sincerity OF
her evidence as she told of her sons
strange conduct after meeting Evelyr
Nssbit and hearing her story had Q
marked effect upon all who listened
on account of her weak condition hel
examination was interrupted by con
sent, to be resumed some time mex
week, when she will tell Of Thaw's in
fancy. District Attorney Jer0mes man
ner while the mother was on the stan(
was all Difference, and 1t was his sug
gestion which led to the respite in he
ordeal. But when the young wife tool
the stand the change was marked. Je
rome glared at her from the very first
and his objections were fairly shoutet
In her ears. Well accustomed to cOur
usage from her former experience, tn
young woman waited patiently for |
ruling as to each objection. Whel
they were sustained, she was silent
when 0verruled, she was ever read.
with her response.
Effective testimony was given at tn
session by Miss Alice G. Fletcher o
washington, a long time friend Of tn
Thaws and a frequent visitor at thei
home. She said she had known Harr
.rhaw for twenty-six years and he ha
always impressed her as irrationa
Black Hands Behind Bars.
BALTIMORE. Jan. 1S.--JOhn Schla
tn. alias Scarletta, and Salvatore Lup
alleged Black Hand men, who al
a.l x.tth hoinU mani aro of ~