Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-01-17
WANT TO FULLY prove INSANITY
Prisoners Mother Arrives in New
York, Perhaps to go on the Stand
Today - His wife win Testify
Early Next Week and Then the
Experts VIII Hold Forth.
.(By Associated Press)

NEW YORK, Jan. l6-The non ar
rival OF important witnesses whc are
hurrying TO New York by steamer and
train. caused an abandonment of tho
afternoon session OF the Thaw trial
today AMI cut the morning sitting
down to less than two hours.
Mr. Lirtleton, leading counsel for
tho defense, announced that begin
ming tomorrow he would hurry the
case along MS rapidly as possible. II
was necessary. he explained, that all
tho evidence having 20 do with Thaw's
alleged irrational acts OF the past
several years should he introduced
before the medical experts are called
to the stand TO express n scientific
opinion as to the defendants mental
condition at the time he killed Stan
ford White.
Mrs. William Thaw, mother of the
accused. arrived from pittsburg to-
day and If strong enough may take
she stand tomorrow.
She has been i'll for more than a
month and for II long time it was
feared she would not be able TO at
tend the trial at all.
Mrs. E,levyn Nesbit Thaw will not
be offered as r witness until some
time next week.
All OF the indications so far show
that District Attorney will make an
effort 10 have her testimony ruled
out this year,
Counsel for the defense are con-
fident. however, that it will be al
lowed to go in now that they have
entered formal specification of in
sanity in connection with the plea
of not guilty.
The elder Mrs. Thaw figured in
directly in the evidence taken today.
a letter written by her in 1881 to the
master of the little Pennsylvania
school where her son was a pupil
was identified by the master ami
read 30 the jury. 1t told of the
mothers great anxiety over the con-
duo. of her son and the fear She
entertained that his mind even then
was unbalanced.
The schoolmaster, now 90 years OF
age was an impressive witness. He
former Assistant Attorney General
James NJ. Beck. and he related many
incidents which led TO the conclusion
shat young Thaw was irrational.
Benjamin Bowman. formerly door
keeper at the Madison Square theater
where Everyn Nesbt played in "a
Girl From Dixie" in 1908, repeater,
the story he told at the first trlal
of the threat made by Stanford White
to find and kill Thaw before day
light.
Herr August Weber. the former
'rhaw butler, who yesterday testified
to various incidents in the life ot
Harry Thaw during the early months
Of 1903. was recalled 10 the witncs.
stand when the trial was opened TO-
day. He was asked by Mr.. Littletor
of the defense, if Thaw's actions a.
he observed them while employed If
the Washington and Pittsburg home.
impressed him as rational or IRA
tional
Irrational" replied the witnes.
promptly.
CHRISTOPHER BriGgans. steward o.
the New York Whist Club. was re
called to give the dates of Thaw'.
visits TO the club in 1901, 1905 ant
1906.
Mr. Jerome brought out from tn,
witness the fact that Thaw was able
on each of the occasions to PLAY
bridge whist with tho best player.
In the club.
Wants to Die for Thaw
One of the 1000 strange letter.
which have been received by Mrs
Evelyn Nesbit Thnw since Harry X
'fhaw's trial began, which was made
public today, contained an offer %
an Ohio man TO substitute himscl
for Thaw and If necessary be exc
cuted. Tho writer imposed a consid.
GRAFTON that his family be pail So.
100000 as soon as the substitution i.
complete. The letter covered 60t
pages. lie declared that he was :
double of tho prisoner in appearanc.
fCOntinucd on Third ra1oN