The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1909-07-28
THAW USED WHIP
ON GIRLS, SHE SAYS
Face of Stanford Whites Slayer
Rlushes as Rooming Housekeeper
Gives Sensational Testimony.

WHITE PLAINS, n. Y. July Is
Miss Susan A. Merrill, OF New York.
gave sensational and damaging testi-
mony at the sanity hearing for Harry
tx. Thaw. yesterday afternoon. when
she swore that she had seen Thaw
4 nee pearlhandled dog whip three
|<1eet IN length on young girls. Thaw'i
|Xallid face flushed as the testimony
Xc1 gwen.
~ Justice Mills took IA hand In the ex-
nmiuation OF DR.. Evans and obtained
from him a statement that Thaw
could recover from the mental ail'
irents that caused him to kill Stan.
lord White.
WI When he was excused. Jerome inter
rupted proceedings long enough to
spring him trump card. the introduc-
kton of the whip which Thaw used TO
beat girls, Jerome VIII declare. and
which Jerome claims is proof of
fis perverted Ideas and aftions.
Miss Susan A. Merrill, 1andlady CT
two houses In New YorBy was called
u was she who turned tie mysterious
whip over TO Clifford Hartridge.
Had Many Visitors, She Says.
Miss Merrill declared that when she
moved to West Fifty -fourth-st. Thaw
took room with her
Now teli.w what you know OF what
be there = ordered Jerome.
He had many young women visitors.
Once | went into his room and found
that he had been beating a very young
rirl who mad called on him there. He
lad The whip | nhis hand and was
beating her. This saw several
tines"
The woman said she had known
Thaw az Reid, Munioe and under
ether assumed names when he engag-
cd rooms from her. saying his bust
ness was placing young girls on the
stage. Jerome then produced the
mysterious package and opened 1t. l.
contained short dog whip which
the woman identified as the one Thaw
lad
Were the girls dressed when Thaw
beat them?" asked Jerome.
only partly; some were partly
dressed and some were partly UNI
dressed" was the somewhat peculiar
wording of the woman's answer.
Justice Warns Women.
Here Justice Mills interrupted TO
NlIH the WOultu WHO CTOWueu iIt
court room that the testimony was
likely to be out OF the ordinary, and
that those who wanted to leave might
do so. Only three young girls left
"Thaw always hurried away when
caught him whipping the young girls.
s told him after the first time he
would have TO leave my place or stop
whipping the girls He said they do
served TO be whipped: that they did
rot know enough TO go on the stage.
The girls screamed terribly when
they were whipped and | had to rush
into the room"
During this testimony Evelyn Mes
lit Thaw sat In her corner smiling
cynicaIly. Morschauser and Thaw
seemed dumbfounded at the turn the
trial had taken
MorSchauser Questions Her.
When Jerome was through with the
Witness, Morschauser Jumped to HIS
feet and went after her savagely.
Dill you spend some time in the
rombs?' asked Mofschauser.
Eyes. I had to- she answered.
''Why did you let Mr.. Reid. as you
call him. go with you from one house
tc another II you knew OF these whip
pings?" asked Morschauser.
There was Mrs. Reid with him
whom I liked very much"
Here Evelyn rose in her place and
gazed earnestly at the witness. Then
she turned and beckoned TO Assistant
District Attorney Murphy, with whom
she consulted in the outer room for
some time. Upon Murphy's return. he
had whispered conference with Dis
trict Attorney jerome. who smiled and
made copious notes.
who was the Mrs, Reid?" asked
Morschaaser. and the spectators lean
Id forward anxiously
why, the woma nThaw introduced
As his wife," said the witness.
Paid "Mrs. Reid" $1,000.
The witness denied she ever kept
disorderly resort.
In answer to questions Miss Merrill
said:
IL kept a rooming house for gentle
nen. They sometimes had their lady
friends call. When Mr.. Reid left |
took care OF all those young women;
over 200 who we're In Mrs. Reds
theatrical agency. paid them all
their money. their wages due them"
Ibid you pay them with ochecks?"