New-York tribune., 1909-07-28
A NEW THAW CHAPTER
WITNESS saw Hin WHIP
YOUNG GIRLS.
Woman Says He ReceiUed 900 Of
Them at Her RoomS-Dr. EUdns
Finds Obstacle in O7cn Report.

A chapter in the life of Henry Kendall Thaw
which has never been perused by the general
public in all the protracted trials and hearings
since he shot Stanford White told in open
court at White Plains yesterday afternoon. AS
II was related. and es IL will appear on the
record. the recital Of the chapter was brief
especially III comparison with the stories that
have been told from time to time by witnesses
in the various proceedings which have engaged
the courts of three counties in this state since
June three years ago. though the period OF
time with which the recital deals extends
over almost four years.
The narrator was Mrs. Susie A M~rill
woman OF between thirtv-hve and forty years
of age Her story dealt with the alleged Prac-
tice Of Thaw of receiving young women. more
than 300" in the rooms Ae rented from Mrs
Merrill in her apartment and there beating them
with a whip until they cried out with pain. so
that Mrs Merrill had interfere A snort
black. wicked looking fail. with silver handle
and ring which was wrapped in the mysterious
bundle marked for Identification at the hearing
before Justice Mills or Monday. was produced
and Identified by Mrs. Merrill as one she had
given to Clifford W. Hartridge and as one OF
three she herself had seen her tenant use on
vo,,nc girls for whom ''he trying 10 obtain
theatrical positions"
JEROME READS EVANs'S REPORT.
TIE reading of this chapter was plainly IN
tended 10 show that Thaw was insane long De-
fore he killed Stanford White 1t came after
Mr. Jerome had pointed out that the ahenlst
,,non whom Thaw most relies. Dr. Britton D
Evans. believed that Thaw was insane when ne
made his first examination Of him IN the Tombs.
I'd to Yesterday morning DR.. Evsns's testimony
had all been in favor Of the contention that
rhav was sane but Mr.. Jerome introduced OPP
posing testimony in DR. Evans's report to Hart
ridge for the latter's guidance at the first trial
7, this report which was brought TO court
Yesterday by Mr. Hartridge DR.. Evans declared
that Thaw exhibited exaggerated ego an
abnormal appreciation Of himself. The form
OF disease he suffers FROM ran one paragraph.
| "and which will show itself should he ever be
released. is known to the English authorities as
| adolescent insanity, or dementia pracox
Mrs Merrill was Mr- Jeromes witness. (his
only one of the day. Her appearance was ex-
pected after the mention of her name the day
| before while Mr. Hartridge, who used to be
| Thawrs counsel of record, but Is now suing
ThaU's mother for some $4,000 for services and
fees was on the stand. A hush fell upon the
courtroom when after the examination OF Dr.
| F2rItton D. Evans had been completed, Mr..
| Jerome arose and addressing the Court, said:
| "I have witness who lives down East, whose
movements / am unable to control do not
| wish to put her in the House of Detention and
| IL there is no objection / would ask that she be
called now"
THAw DOES NOT OBJECT.
There was no objection from Thaws lawyer.
| Thaw and his party evidently knew what was
| coming hut the man who is trying to regain his
| freedom sat erect and waited developments. His
| mother his sisters and his stepbrother appeared
serious but looked straight ahead while an offi-
| Ger WAS sent 10 an inner room to bring out the
| witness II there any doubts in the minds
| NJ the Marty as to what might be expected, that
Doubt was dispelled when Justice Mills from the
| bench said that, though he believed in an open
court. the testimony to be disclosed might not be
pleasant 10 some OF the women.
| At least four-ffths of his auditors were OF the
feminine sex but there was little iinching at the
| Justices words. Mrs. Josiah Thaw and two
| other women members OF the Thaw party got
| I'D and left the room; so did another woman,
/ who led out TWO young girls with her. Evelyn
| Nesbit Thaw who had entered through the
judges chambers while DR.. Evans was on the
stand at the afternoon session. looked expectant
| or watched narrowly the female members of her
| husbands party.
| Mrs. Merrill took the witness chair and looked
anxiously but defantly at the crowd facing her.
Thaw himself who had seemed self possessed
| up this point. bent his head and Immediately
began to get busy with the pad of paper which
| is constantly before him.
MRS. MERRILL BEGINS TESTIMONY.
| In reply TO Mr.. Jeromes questions Mrs. Mer-
rill said while she piled palm leaf fan. that she
had met Thaw back in 1902 In house in West
| 4eth street Evelyn Thaw. with mouth agape.
| leaned forward, her chin resting on her arm. and
| kept her eyes riveted on the witness
When Mrs Merrill first met Thaw it was
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