Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-07-28
.THAW STANDS ORDEAL
Acquits Himself CIeverIy in
Duel With Jerome.
BARS WIFE FROM STAND
Had Mad Moment, Perhaps, But
Always Sane Medically.
MORALITY UNDER DISCUSSION
District Attorney Tries to Introduce
Letter Of Prisoner to
Evelyn Nesbit.

WHITE PLAINS. y. Y. July 2s.-Harry
X. Thaw turned to kiss his aged mother
today, as he strobe firmly to the stand 10
prove by his own words that he is sane
and deserving release from MatteaWan
Asylum. Then he settled back and in
a low, steady voice began his duel with
District Attorney Jerome
His first statement made sensation.
II believe he said that in acquittlng
me the jury was largely Influenced by the
belief that Stanford White deserved his
fate"
Another reason I was acquitted he
continued, was, I believe. because at
torneys on both sides told the jury my act
was caused by decisions"
Then Jerome began.
You are a gentleman and an educated
MANI" he asked The witness nodded.
You believe a gentleman should de-
fenl his honor?' Yes"
"And if you committed an act in the
defense of your homer would you con-
slider yourself justified in committing per-
jury to escape the consequences? NO
replied Thaw. shaking his head.
Will Not Let Wife Testify.
did your wife reproach you for lashing
women and say she could get a divorce
on that ground? And did you tell her she
could not?" asked Jerome. No"
Are you willing we should call her as
| a witness against you?" Thaw hestated.
| His attorney interposed declaring he
insisted upon the privilege Of the do
nestle relation, under which he could
keep Evelyn Nesbt Thaw off the stand.
Thaw agreed with his attorney.
Why don't you let her APPEAR Be
| cause, retorted Thaw, I've seen a good
many. sorts of witnesses you've brought
here.
Did you ever write letter to your
| wife containing an impDper drawing, :
asked Jerome.
swered. legal tilt ensued regarding
Jerome's right to introduce letter writ
ten by Thaw to his wife.
Mr.. Morschauser for Thaw insisted that
letters between husband and wife are
sacred and confidential. Justice Mills
postponed his ruling. The letter was held
up for the present.
Thaw left the stand for few moments
at this point to let his side put on Peter
B.. Olney, member of the sanity COM
mission whose report was presented in
April, 1907. When Thaw resumed, Je-
rome questioned him about his life at
Matteawan.
Believes in Own Sanity.
The witness said he was in a ward
with fffty-seven lunatics.
DO you believe you have always been
q oil COZ
cally."
utes conversation whether or not you
were crazy?" Yes, if he were accus-
toned to examine lunatics."
How about DIR. Evans? He said at
your trial you were afflicted with delu-
sions'' DIR Evans" replied Thaw, after
a little thought, was misled. He was
told by Mr. Jerome and those connect
ed with his Office that everything / said
was untrue"
Did you ever take lessons from a
hypnotist named Ferris?" They could
hardly be called lessons" said Thaw.
smiling. Il talked with him four or
five times"
Did you ever think that Stanford
White exerted hypnotic influence over
Miss Evelyn Nesbit?''
From her remarks / thought such a
thing possible At least he certainly had
strong influence over her."
jerome examined Thaw on testimony
given at the trial regarding Thaw's al
legged hallucination that number of lit
tie girls were locked up in the jail where
he was confined when first arrested.
That's rubbish" said Thaw
Then did you. dominated by this idea
of noblesse oblige, allow Mr.. Littleton
fThaw's attorney to put this in evil
dence?''
II told him not to. but he insisted on
using it,
1T is not a matter of private prefer
| ence TO the peoples attorneys" said
Jerome. addressing the court. whether
this man is confined or not. We are only
trying to arrest the conscience of the
court in making its decision
Hamilton Like CDR. Fell"
Jerome asked Thaw why he did not per-
NIT Dr. Allan McLane Hamilton to ex-
anime him at the time he was retained
by his attorneys.
II did not like his looks replied Thaw
What did not you like about them?'
"Oh. just did not like them. He was
like DIR. Fell
who was DIR. Fell
why, don't you know? i do not like
YOU. DR.. Fell: the reason why l cannot
tell replied the witness, smiling.
Were you ever inSane?" asked Jerome
Il may have been at one time for few
moments"
Were you crazy when you killed Stan
ford White?'
,;,,l,