New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-08-03
RECENT THAW CONDUCT
ND R4KER TELLS OF HIS
REHAVTOR IN ASYLUM.
,,.,,oo.roy Phyacian Called by
Jerome Reads Dissertations
from Case Book.

aims T. Baker first assistant physician
,,.,,osu-sn. gave the court at White Plains
-.,rssv his observations OF Harry K Thaw
,ho lstters arrival al the asylum. This
g. District Attorney Jerome had spent
-. ~ reading sworn statements OF 1haW's
,.sr5 friends and alienists when they we're
-, every effort 10 prove that he could not
r,,5 responsible for the murder Of Stanford
White .,,
=. psker vas Mr.. Jerome's witness. He told
.,,or,ey. ~ the people that Thaw's con-
a., ir the insane asylum impressed him as
..s,rol F27,t he was compelled by Mr.. Morsch-
- rhsw's lawyer, 10 admit that he had
"a lanes G. Graham Thaws former cousel,
a., during the first three months Of his obser-
- he rad found no evidence OF paranoia in
-, rarient That ThaW is still victim OF this
-, ~ mental disease Mr.. Jerome viii try to
r-ove through his experts
~. observations Of DR.. Baker extended from
-+sv.-s admission 10 Matteawan down 10 June
d, of the preseut year, when he was removed
:. white Plains under the present proceedings
,s,f,s Mills would permit none Of the express
s.a-s n op.nlou iotted down in the case book
,,ba witness as TO Thaw's conduct and he had
- ,,,ene himself 10 an account Of actual oc-
c,rrences in his intercourse with Thaw-
Tbe record shows that while Thaw showed
t,-,self AZ FIRST amused at what he thinks was
,lsver work on the part Of his lawyers and
doctors. he very soon declined 10 let himself be
s,svr INTO anv conversation touching upon the
v,ur5er of White or the events that led up 10 H.
"a. v-ss wary and vigllant and parried skilfully
inc ouestions Of DR. Baker put 10 test his sanity,
IN general declaring coolly that he did so by
advice Of counse!
NOT ADDICTED TO DRUGS, He SAID.
7bsw went n NIattesvan on February l. 1905.
n. declared al his initial examination by the
rs,-sicisn that he had never been addicted 10
6rues The next DAY he told Dr. Baker he be
,i,,,s5 that insanity was the only plea 10 be
in,srnose5 n save his life hut added that II
wasn't his place 10 inform the prosecuting at
iornev of his real mental status. That day he
talked about the tragedy on the roof Of Madison
square Garden and about what he had known
NJ me immoral practices of stanford White and
his oonraniors and the steps he had taken 10
rr, q sror ~ Them Dr Baker said Thaw's eyes
were g.srv and staring and that he presented
speclllsr appearanCe as he declared that what
ever insanity he might have had came On half
minute before he shot the architect
Thsw Al this examination announced that he
did not care 10 receive any more consideration
than the rest Of the patients. Then almost i'm
medistely he asked for whiskey and permission
10 smoke. He became peevlsh when he was in
formed that this was against the rules 81 the in
riltuuon
He soon began 70 evinoe annoyance ct ques-
tons put 70 him IN regard 20 Stanford White.
but told Dr.. Baker and Dr. Lamb, the head OF
the institution. in his first week there that just
before he shot White he felt, like man on the
brink of high precrioe. an irrepressible desire
% jump About ten days later he declared posi-
lively that be was sane and that he understood
41,f-
dsys for observation
Al this interview he was drawn into dis
clsson of the alleged immoral practices OF
White He told DR.. Baker that he knew White
vas addicted 20 perverted sexual practices. but
wien the physician remarked, He IWhitel must
have been crazy" Thaw grew very indignant
and said perverted sexual practices are no more
The index Of mans mental condition than the
taking OF cordial after coffee
REFUSED TO TALK ABOUT WHITE
BY the latter part Of April. when proceedings
were under way 70 have him brought before Jus
uoe Morschauser in Poughkeepsie, Thaw refused
sosolutely 10 answer any questions Of DR. Baker
nat might lead 10 discovery Of his mental
ss'gs Even after he was recomnitted 20 Mat
HsVan last October he declared that he wouldn't
remain there more than two months Attempts
auue and 50 were remonstrances.
On one occasion Dr.. Baker said 10 him. when
&c you first come 10 know Stanford White?"
nav replied coldly, Are you talking 10 ne?"
ne then spologized for declining TO answer. but
VAC ne Old so by advice Of counsel He grew
Asothg and domineering at times when at
eh.ps were made 70 pump" him and objected
tne examination of the letters he wrote by
We hospital authorities
=. uiaes ne used sarcasm I'm warding off his
~oue-oe inqusitors. as on one night when he
oHeo 70 take a copy of the Book OF Common
ssi 70 bed with him. Permission was re-
- "hereupon he asked for some Ponds
s- was not brought him. The next
~ @skeo why and added. Does that inter
WIN the rules of your hug house'?|
Moischauser got right after Dr. Baker
Mr Jerome had ended his one question
~ s witness after the reading Of the Iatter's
J, 10 ms case book. Some thirty-hve sheets
E1le' containing newspaper clippings all
ls 70 abnormal sexual practices. had been
' "a Ihaws clothes on the night OF Feb
10 when they were searched by DIR. Baker
- an assistant after Thaw had gone 10 bed.
heH morning Thaw was highly indignant
~. Ouelea $500 for information as 10 who has
$3.50 with his clothes. Dr. Baker told Mr..
,h.- USER mat he had conhscated the clip
because he thought they were material,
"ilhg on ThRw's case
oiHER CLIPPINGS ~ THE LOT
rs,bsSsse fhey give his assent 10 q search 80 b,s
A.-So sir 80 ~ ee0iNn OF MS
lPtPE ~ - you ind a lot more papers ana clin-
ealns celi,-sSl'ss' elc among Them copy OF LIN
Q-N7,.l laS =, speech and some other pspers
didbf ,.GGl9nt you produce il sll9- - Pecsuss
oon6iger '-'N Iey bore Mr.. ThaW's special
c-Vl--
tsthsrS there 20 clippings you found alto.
Nss DoH know .ust how many there
~ Norsohauser pressed for an answ.r Nm,
- pnysioisn couldnf rer,e,o,sr ,,,s a,s..