The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-01-21

When She Wants to Argue With
the Prosecutor
Who Frequently Reads From
Her Former Testimony.
New York, Jan. 21-Mrs. Evelyn
Nesbit Thaw continued today under
the lash of District Attorney Jerome's
cross-examination at the trial Of her
husband for the killing of Stanford
White. The prosecutor spent much
time poring over the evidence of the
former trial and confronting the wit
ness with her testimony on that occa-
sion. No detail was overlooked. Mrs.
! Thaw adhered to her original story, de-
claring it was all true. Mr.. Jerome was
aggressive in his attitude today, but
his manner Of questioning lacked the
fire of yesterday. He and the witness
constantly were engaged in tilts In
which the honors seemed to be even.
There was an inclination on the part
| of both prosecutor and witness to ar
| que with each other, but Justice Dow
ling cut the debates short whenever
he could. Thaw listened intently to all
that was said, often times holding his
hand behind his ear to better catch the
low toned replies of his wife.
When District Attorney Jerome re-
sumed his examination he re
verted to her European travels with
Thaw in 1903, and 1904 Mrs. Thaw
seemed in rather sullen mood and
answered the prosecutors questions
curtly. She said she had shown Thaw
in Paris IA letters Stanford White had
written her subsequent to the events
that followed their meeting.
1Atf
district attorney.
Il don't know"
When did you last see them?"
II think it was in Mr.. Hartridge's
Office"
Did you write to Stanford White
from Boulogne?"
| Yes"
zone letter or two?'
Il don't recall"
Questions Lost Effect.
Like the direct inquiry the ross-ex-
animation of the witness lost effect
from repetition, no new facts having
been unearthed to confront Mrs. Thaw
with UP to this time.
How long was it after you landed
from Europe in 19o3 after telling this
story to Thaw about Stanford White
that you were in the Madison Square
Garden tower with Stanford White?"
asked Mr. Jerome
Some time
1.-TWO days?"
More than that
"A week."
Yes"
LAS long as that-after you had de-
because of this MANI"
II went to dinner at the tower but
did not go alone"
Did you tell Thaw about it
Yes
Mr.. Jerome here produced the
Photographic copy of the famous
Hummel affidavit and had the witness
| identify the signature. Mrs. ThaW told
Yesterday of the burning of the orig
| inal afidavit which she declared she
| signed without knowing its contents.
| The affidavit alleged cruel treatment
| by Thaw during the 1903 trip abroad.
| Hummel the things set forth in the
affidavit or anything like them she
| replied in positive fashion,:
sI most certainly did not
| Mr.. Littleton objected to questions
| concerning the affidavit. saying it was
| not a material issue in the case. He
was overruled by Justice Dowling, who
| said:
Amy acts of the defendant are sub
] iect to investigation in a case of this
He Never Beat Her.
| "Did Thaw ever beat you?' asked
Jerome.
NO
| "Didn't you tell Stanford White that
| Thaw had beaten you?"
| 81 did not
| what did Thaw say when you told
him you had heard he put a girl in a
bath tub and turned scalding water on
her?''
HE just laughed
Didn't you say last year that he
shook his head sadly and said; Poor
| little Evelyn, they have been making
fool of you.
| yes
"Well, where did the laugh come
imp
"Afterwards, when we were talking
The witness said Stanford White
| gave her a pearl drop at Christmas,
| 1901, which she gave to Will Sturgis.
| Didn't you testify at the first trial
| that White only gave you useful pres
ents-clothes and furs?" asked Mr..
| Jerome.
| Mr.. Littleton objected and the ques-
| ton was not pressed. The district at
| torney continued as on yesterday TO
| read extensively from the testimony OF
| the first trial, seeming determined to
| get every detail of the evidence offered
A year ago in the record of the present
| hearing.
Mr. Jerome also went over in detail
his former cross examination of the
| witness and repeated much of it. The
prosecutor stood squarely facing the
| witness with the record book held in
| both hands and constantly consulted
| it. Mrs Thaw asked several times tc
| see the book herself Once she said
addressing the court: There is mis-
understanding. your honor; and Mr.
! Jerome ought to read further
/ The prosecutor complied.
/ Mrs. Thaw fenced continually with
| Mr.. Jerome telling him once that he
was giving the wrong impression hy
/ reading only part of an answer made
| last year.
| The district attorney started to re-
! n1y when Justice Dowling interrupted