Evening star., 1909-07-15
WITNESS FOR STATE
Evelyn Nesbit ThaW ''at Hand
Ready to Testify"
HEARING AT WHITE PLAINS.
DR.. Otto Meyer Tells of Conversation
With Prisoner.
SHOOTING STANFORD WHITE
Repeats What Man in Custody Said
Regarding the Tragedy-No
Improper Motives.
SHOOTING STANFORD WHITE

WHITE PLAINS. n. Y. July 15.-Eve-
lyn Nesbit Thaw was at hand and ready
to testify for the state, which is opposing
her husbands release from the Mattea-
wan Asylum for the Criminal Insant,
when the fifth day of the hearing on
Harry X. Thaws mental condition was
begun before Justice Mills in the SUI
preme court here today, with DR.. Otto
Meyer of New York on the witness stand.
DR.. Meyer testified that he saw Thaw
first at the White Plains Jail October 3,
1908, and discussed with him at that time
the episodes included in a hypothetical
question which the witness had prepared
on which to base an opinion of the pris-
oner's sanity. On subsequent visits to
the White Plains Jail and at Matteawan
asylum the physician talked freely with
Thaw. he said. and got him to tell the
story of his boyhood days.
Conversation With Thaw.
DR.. Meyer related conversation on one
occasion when Thaw told him he feared
he was going to have typhoid fever, and
suggested that his rooms at the jail should
be cooled with twenty tons of ice
Dr. Meyer said he discussed music, art,
sociology and politics with Thaw, and in
regard TO the latter subject Thaw laugh
ingy remarked: Il helped to elect Jer-
the subject of insanity with Thaw, and In
this connection referred to crime.
Il asked him what he thought of crime
committed under the influence of alcohol,
and he said that should not be any eX-
cuse,'s continued the witness. Il asked
him what the motives were which prompt
ed him to shoot Stanford White, and he
said there were no improper motives
Effect of Whites Death.
In answer to a question as to what the
effect or result of Whites death had
been. Thaw replied that there was less
danger now than before and most peo-
pie thought he had acted properly under
the circumstances. In his conversation
at Matteawan the witness said Thaw had
complained of having to retire early to
close and unighted room. He said.
however. that he did not expect any un-
usual privileges or any rules broken for
him., the witness said.
Mr. Morschauser declared that DR..
Meyer was testifying merely as lay
man and not as expert in answer to a
question by the states attorney. Because
he was one of the few witnesses who had
talked with Thaw about the White homi-
eide, Deputy Attorney General Clark said
the crosS-eXamnation would be important,
and he asked Thaws counsel TO consent
to the admission of the record of Thaw' $
second trial for the killing of White in
order to facilitate matters. Mr.. Nor
schauser asked for a tive-mnute confer
ence with his client, at the conclusion OF
which he stated that he was not yet ready
to consent to the admission of the trial
records in evidence
Questions as a Memory Test.
The witness said that he had talked
with Thaw's mother in regard to his boy
hood and based some of his questions as
rl,o I,oI fnlI
him Mr. Clark asked the witness to
give the details of the conversation about
the shooting of White.
II asked him to describe the incidents
of that evening. Did you see White be-
fore you went out?' | asked him. He said
he did not" DIR. Meyer replied. We
went down the aisle and l stopped 10
speak to some one and then I saw White
glaring at me. He put down his hand.
and then there was "A disturbance and
the shooting had been done'-those were
Thaw's words. the witness said. He
added that. he asked Thaw If he remen-
bered the three shots. and he said he did
not. The witness said Thaw had later
declined to say anything further about
the moment when the shooting occurred
on the advice of prominent LAWYER
Asked who this lawyer was the witness
could not at first remember but finally
said it was ex-senator John c. Spooner
of Wisconsin.
Subject of Young Girls.
On the second and third interviews with
Thaw. DIR. Meyer said they talked on the
subject of young girls or innocent
girls
You did not give any of those con-
versations on your direct examination
did you?' Mr. Clark asked
No. that is right the witness an
swered.
On redirect examination, ThaWs coun-