Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1909-08-03
MENAclAG TO PRISONERS HOPES
Or. Baker, Assistant Physician at
Matteawan, Says Thaws Manner lie
silly and Pompous and That He
ousrrels With Other Patients-No
Sign Of Paranoia.
(By Associated Press.)

WHILE t'tsRiNcs ~. l., AUS.
How Harry X. Thaw conducted him
self nj the Matteawan Asylum for the
criminal insane. a phase OF his life
not gone into before, was described
today by Dr. Amos b. Baker. first as
sistant physician OF the institution,
the only witness called by District
Attorney Jerome at the continuation
Of the hearing by which Thaw hopes
to obtain his release. The examina-
ton to-day OF DR.. Baker had not been
finished when adjournment was taken.
Aside from his testimony, a two-foot
stack of canvas bound books, labelled
THE People ys. Harry X. Thaw-
records OF the murder trials, furnish
eu all the evidence introduced by Mr..
Jerome today.
Mr. jerome expects to be through
with the states ailenists tomorrow
and Charles Morschauser. Thaw's law
yer, will put his client on the stand.
Mothers Testimony Used.
Mrs. Mary Copley Thaw, was IN
court today and heard Mr.. Jerome IN
troduce against her son testimony she
had willingly given heretofore to save
his life. Today 1t was seized upon
by the state to prove him insane. IL
included her accounts OF his nervous
temperament as a child, materially
valuable to Thaw when he was In
danger OF the electric chair. 4ut now
menacing to his hope OF proving him.
self a sane man.
DIR. Bakers testimony was read by
himself from his case book" and de-
scraOed sThsw's conduct, both normal
and queer. on many occasions from
February 1, 1908, the date Of his COM
mitment, until June 20 of the present
year. While some OF these notes de-
scribed the patients acts as silly
and while the witness said that, In MS
belief Thaw was irrational now,
Thaw's attorns Nv made him admit that
during the first three months Of the
patients stay at -'atteawan. he ob-
served no signs OF p.-anoia.
Amused by Attorneys C.everness.
When Thaw reached Mat, .awan ON
the day the jury acquitted hiLs after
the murder of Stanford White - the
ground of insanity almost mis- rrst
statements. according to DIR. Bake.
were expressions OF amusement ovei
the clever work of his lawyers ana
alienists- lie said frankly. according
to Nr. Baker that his acquitta, was
obtained by exaggeratfng certain m
cidents and putting In testimony Je-
rome was unable to refute because he
had not the facilities.
Witness described Thaw's manner
at most times as silly" ard pom
pous." He said he Guarreled with the
other patients who played cards with
him. calling them stupid donkeys--
From his note book he told OF various
Incidents including Thav's refusal
TO accept mail addressed to him. his
refusal TO see his wife until told that
Mr.. Norchauser had sent her and MS
~insolent and domineering~ actions to-
ward the physicians and attendants.
Searched Ths~'s Pockets
Last fan the prison authorities
searched Tbsw's pockets whes ne
was asleep and the next day he c:fer-
ed $500 reward for the detection cr
any one tsmpering with his clothes.
The fruits OF this search appeared
in court today. when Or. Baker hand
ed In as evidences about thirty news
paper clippings They were not res2
but Mr.. Jerome explained that al
xere on sexual topics.
Mr. Morchauser weakened the force
OF this exhibit e. making the witness
testify that in all be had fonnd near
" 200 clippings In Tbav's pockets ana
that they were or varioos su5iec,s-
lie said he had brought The thirty 20
court because 10 thought they al had
bearing on the case. Justice Mills
ted him 10 fetch the others Tomorrow.
When court adjourned Cor The day
Mr.. Morchauser mas trying % mare
Dr. Baker admit that a musical a. TIE
hospital not long ago. vas arranged
for the purposc Of letting Thsv 1asc
a fool o. himself. Thav refzscd % al
fcrd he AFFAIR.