The star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1908-1909, 1908-05-15
Especial 10 the Evening star.l


| PoUGHKEEPSIE. May 15.-That
Harry Kendall Thaw, slayer of Stan
| ford White, insisted on distributing
chocolate eclairs to the inmates of the
| Matteawan Insane Asylum, in memory
of his wifes appetite for such fluffy
Injuries, was the latest startling de-
velopment of the young Pittsburg mil
| lionaire's fight for freedom before JUS
! tice Morschauser today. Also evidence
was introduced that Thaw wished to
decorate his ward with Easter lilies,
which isn't so remarkable, considering
his well-known passion for flowers.
! Thaw's peculiar whims were revealed
in the testimony of DIR. Amos L. Baker,
acting superintendent of Matteawan.
DR.. Baker testified today that in his
| opinion Thaw is insane. DIR. Baker
said that il would be dangerous to
public safety TO have Thaw go at
large.
From the time Thaw landed in Mat
teawan prisoner, on February /, Dr..
Baker kept a record of his conversa-
tions with the young Pittsburger and
his observations on them.
Thaw sent to New York for 400
chocolate eclairs. He wanted to dis
tribute them among the criminal
lunatics with whom he was locked up,
and he ragged when the asylum au
thorities wouldn't let him 10 it. So
they relented. and every male lInatic
mad an eclair.
Thaw ordered his eclair feast about
the time he heard his wife meant to
sue him Tor an annulment of their
marriage.
DR. Baker testified that Thaw want
ed to take charge of the asylum piano,
and that he insisted on having the
piano tuned by tuner of his own
choosing.
Mr.. Graham asked questions of DIR.
Baker that suggested harsh treatment
of Thaw. They concerned the removal
of the door of his room. DR.. Baker
admitted that the door was taken off,
thus depriving Thaw of privacy.
because Thaw and his counsel vio-
lated the rule of the hospital against
smoking" said the doctor. I'VE did
more; we put Thaw back in the ward
with other patients and withdrew from
his counsel permission to visit. him in
the ward
Dr. Baker related conversations with
Thaw. in which the latter told OF
epilepsy and nervous ailments suffered
by a sister and uncle. Thaw told DR.
Baker that he used tobacco at IS, used
| alcohol in moderation. and denied ever
using drugs. The witness said Thaw
described his movements preceding the
shooting of White-his return from
Europe and marriage to Miss Nesbit
He gave his age as 81, though he was
"a when he entered the hospital.
He said that his physicians and law
yers had advised him not to discuss
What had occurred on the Madison
| Square roof the night he shot White.
He volunteered, however. this much:
'fHc compared his situation at that
moment to that of man standing Tn
the brink of q precipice, seized with
an irresistible impulse to jump"
He stated to the doctor. that he de-
sired no more than any other patient
then Immediately asked for whiskey
three times day and tobacco, Thaw
was peevish, domineering and ego
tistical.
DIR. Baker explained why he refused
Thaw the usual privileges. He said
Thaw had smoked, against the rule.
and money had been passed to an at
tendant
Or. Carlos Mcdonald, the next wit
ness for Jerome, said Thaw is insane.