The Washington herald., 1908-01-19
mo CLOSED DOORS.
Mrs. ThaW Is Not Likely to
Testify Secretly.
DEFENSE WILL NOT AGREE
Jerome'S Motives SuEpected-Attt-
tude OF Court-Mother Visits Pris-
Oner and Is Escorted Home by
Daughter-in-Iaw - Thaw's Feeble
ness of Intellect tO BE Proven.

New York. Jan 1S.-The question of
whether Evelyn Nesbit Thaw's story viii
be excluded from the public this time
was what most interested those connected
with the trial of Harry X. Thaw to-day
Jeromes move came as a great surprise.
He had given no hint of it TO any one
associated with him in the case.
There is distinct inclination among
persons familiar with the case TO question
the motive that led Jerome to request
that\ the testimony Of Thaws wife be
recited behind closed doors with no one
present but attorneys, jury, and judge
In fact the lntimation is strongly con
veyed that the real reason is a desire 10
keep from the public the names Of the
men. now prominent in New York life
that the young artists model met through
Stanford White
Defense VIII Not Concur
Daniel O'ReiIIy. of counsel for the de-
fense in the Thaw trial. publicly char
acterized Jerome's action as bluff OF
monumental proportions, and is authority
for the statement that the defense has
decided il will not join in the motion TO
exclude the newspaper men.
This means that the story viii be
again repeated in all its responsiveness.
Justice Bowling stated Friday he would
not entertain the motion unless both
sides agreed and the constitutionality
OF such action was first established
There is still much uncertainty as 10
how far she will be permitted to 60
into her story of her relations with
White District Attorney Jerome has
shown already that he will object 20
virtually every statement she makes.
and if Judge bowling rules as he did
yesterday. her story Will be confined
entirely to just what she told Thaw
about White
Jerome viii Fight Evidence.
Jerome is determined to combat GER
tain of her statements He did not do
this at the former trial, but during the
past summer Assistant Attorney Gar
van went to Europe. and traced her
movements with Thaw there. When
asked what new evidence he has he
smiles and says,
"Oh. just wait and see. / guess we
have all we need
So it is likely there may be much
new evidence introduced on rebuttal in
an endeavOr to prove that some of the
statements of the young woman are
not the entire truth.
While Jerome talked OF the revolving
details OF the young woman's story being
spread broadcast by the newspapers and
the effect Il would have on the morality
of the community there is an impression
that if Jerome gets the chance TO cross
examine the young woman in private.
she will have to submit to an ordeal that
would make her CrOss-eXamlnatiOn at the
first trial a matinee experience.
In a crowded courtroom ii is not so
easy TO examine a young woman who
affects the girlishness Of young Mrs. Thaw,
and Who tells such a revolving story.
At tile last trial she whispered many
names of persons she met into the ear OF
Mr.. Jerome. This would not have 10 be
resOrted to at a private hearing.
Jerome 20 cite Authorities.
Jerome believes he can show authori-
ties 10 Justice DoWling that will convince
him he has the power to exclude specta-
tors and reporters while the young woman
is telling her story II is understood Jus
tice Dowling's views on the subject do
not concur with those held by Jerome.
It is believed Justice Dowling will hold
that the story onrl having been told
and published in detail. the repetition OF
it can add little TO it, and that. in add-
ton. Thaw has a constitutional right TO
a speedy public trial which cannot be
waived.
While the Thaw folks say they have no
desire 10 have yoUng Mrs. Thaws story
told in public again, they believe it is a
matter which the court should decide
without any request from them.
Mrs. Thaw did not see her husband in
the TOmbs to-day. Sne sent him a note
which came about the time that his
mother was leaving him. after having
talked to him for an hour and a half
His mother came to the Tombs in 4
cab, ard had to be assisted by a nurse.
She said she felt better than she did
the dav before and there was no indica-
ton that her experience on the stand
had delayed her Improvement.
Later in the day LittIetOn went over
her testimony with her. She has yet to
tell what she knows of the strain Of in
sanity in the Thaw family, and of the
actions Of her son from childhood.
Bitter Task for Elder Mrs. Thaw.
1t is expected that this will be bitter
task for the gray-haired woman. who has
exhibited so many instances OF her pride
in the Thaw family.
In Littletons Office, the elder Mrs Thaw
met her daughter-la-lau. From there the
two went to OReilly's office Evelyn ac-
companied her mother -in-law to her hotel.
At Littleton's Office Evelyn met her
friend, May Mckenzie. and the two had a
long confidential chat. 1t was not stated
whether Miss Mckenzie is to be a wit
ness or not.
According to the plans of the defense,
young Mrs. Thaw will continue the narra-
ton of her story on Monday morning.
When she is through the elder Mrs.
Thaw will be called to give the rest of
her testimony, and to be crOss-examined
by Jerome.
Thaw's BOyhOOd Nurse.
The next witness will be Belle Moore
house Lawrence, who was Harry's
teacher when he was six years old She
is the woman who says Thaw could not
talk intelligently. except. perhaps, to his
mother, and that she had to teach him
how to talk.
She is said to have kept diary, in
which she recorded her experiences with
Thaw and her Impressions of him. An
effort viii be made to get the diary IN
evidence.
Lttleton. in discussing this witness.
said to-day.