New-York tribune., 1909-07-14
THAW'S WIFE WITNESS
RELUCTANT TO TESTIFY.
Called by State, She Tells of CONFER
sdfiOn at UGttedUdn.


TO kill her were unsuccessful yesterday after
noon when she was called by the state to testify
at the examination into the sanity Of Harry h.
Thaw. before Justice Mills at White Plains Mrs.
Thaw's testimony brief. most of the time
that she the witness stand was taken up
by arguments of counsel and the identification OF
papers which to figure in the case later She
will be put on the stand again this morning
Deputy Attorney General Clark. after two or
three perfunctory questions. asked Mrs Thaw about
visit made to Matteaw wan with Dan" O'ReilIy.
soon after Thaw's commitment there. Mrs Thaw $
unwillingness to aid the state became Immediately
apparent Asked If she had conversation at that
time with Thaw, she replied:
4 do not wish to answer that question.
Justice Mills. asked her if she wished to stand on
her privilege to refuse to answer.
y simply do wish to answer she said
that's all, and I haven't asked any privilege yet
the records will show
The Court instructed her to answer, which she
did. and this paved the for Mr.. Clark's one
big question which he hurled her right away;
During this conversation did Harry X. Thaw
say to you. words TO this effect, When get out
of here I will have TO kill you?
The witness with the case born Of long practice.
said nothing at all. but waited for Mr. Morschau-
ser to object He did. right away on the GROUND
that the conversation was confidential MI clark
argued that threats of this sort were not conn
Dental. and were competent testimony. He prom
ised to show that in Mr.. ORelly there had oeeh
dsinterested auditor, which made the conVerSa-
tion cease to be confidential
The Court ruled in favor of Mr.. Morschause for
the present but said that II the state could
prove that O'ReiIIy not there as counsel for
either one, he would consider the question again
From the tenor of the Courts remarks 1t would
appear that If the question is admitted the rest
Of the conversation showing what caused the al
legged threat will also be given to the public
Mrs Thaw continued 10 be reluctant to say
ANYTHING about visit in question all through her
examination. Asked to describe ThaWs appear
ance at that time, she replied again that she dld
not wish to answer. After being instructed p3 tLe
Court. she asked
viii ! be in contempt of court if I refuse to
answer
You will" said Justice Mills. You must an
swer"
We'll l cannot afford to be in contempt OF
court just at present" she explained almost con-
fdentiallv 10 the Court. My husband is not pay
ing me anything now. and I would not have money
enough to pay for counsel If I were declared IN
contempt
..T don't remember what suit he wore she said,
telling Of Thaws appearance but he didn't have
anv collar on. think be had handkerchief about
his neck His hair mussed up. but 1t generally
was rnusscd I'D His eyes we're always prominent
and, while they were not exactly protruotng' they
seemed little more prominent than usual
Did you have any conversation with Mt. ina"
abour zclr sffairs?' she asked
We did talk about certain thing. she replied
hut 7 am not saying what that thing was
Had Mr.. InaW asked you 70 GO Soli-e'iii7 ~
him that day which you had refused to DO!
Mr. Morschauser again protested that the conver-
sation was confidential, but Mr. Clark was allowed
10 ask If the conversation was in regard 10 some
thing Just subsequent to the killing OF 0l4lllolu
White She said 1t was
The rest OF the time was taken UP for the most
mart Lv Mrs Thaw's identifying specimens Of her
husbands handwriting on various papers Mr. clark
made The Identification Of each one OF these papers
and he had good many almost z ceremony In
half an hour or so had Just SKINNED the top OF
the pile and Nr Morschauser asked the court II ne
as well as the witness, could not identtF al thaI
was necessary and save that much good time HaN-
ing obtained permission, his Yes yes. yes yes
sounded like the popping of a rapid-fre gun as he
went through the pile in about pinety seconds Most
Of the papers appeared 20 be letters and notes writ
ten by Thaw but their contents were kept secret
for the present.
The witnesses who preceded Mrs Thaw were
mostly those who had been brought into contact
with Thaw recently. Frank Toomey, Thaws body
guard for five six months at Matteawan. SAID
that in all the time he in close attendance on
Thau the prisoner had not exhibited any lrratona
tendencies. He said that Thaw had said some IN
kind things about the management of the asylum
and of some Of the physicians. but thai he also
had made suggestions those in authority, which
had been acted and found TO be good.
Edward Havens, a keeper at the Poughkeepsle
TAIL said Thaw was rational in speech and act while
IN the TAIL District Attorney Mack of Duchess
County got the witness to admit that he had LEFT
ThaU- alone at various times while in his custody
because he was confident he could be trusted.
IF I had thought him insane" he added, !
would never have left him alone for minute
W " Smith a Poughkeepse man, told of how
he had talked religion with Thaw at various times
and found him rational and possessed of keen
Lrnu-1edge of the Bible. Otto Metz. a New York
court officer sure too. that Thaw was rational
because "ae certainly convinced me that free silver
and Bryanism would be a bad thing for the coun-
try"
Harry Thaws knowledge Of railroad systems was
what convinced Joseph Hudson, an old Long Island
Railroad conductor. of his sanity He talked for
four or five hours with Thaw railroad affairs.
for "to tell the TRUTH he explained 4 wanted 70
find out whether or not he was insane, and asked
him all sorts Of questions 70 draw him out Some
how the witness said he forgot to mention the muir
der Of Stanford White at all
William b. Holmes Grand Army man, found
ThaU well versed in Civil War history. and was
sure the had been rational at all times he had
seen him. So did the Rev. Frederick T. Angevine,
Of White Plains This witness told of Thaws
showing him bundle of envelopes which he had
told the clergyman concerned the alleged dealings
OF Stanford White with young girls The clergy
man said he did rot the contents of these letters
The state has retained Dr. Austin Flint and Dr.
Carlos F. Macdonald with DR.. Baker. the alien
lists The defence will announce theirs to-day
TENEMENT HOUSE SET ON FIRE AGAIN.
Second Incendiary Blaze in Ten Days Does