New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-06-29

Thaw an Ideal Inmate.
II told Of some Of Thaw's peculiar ac-
tions. Of his obstinacy with the attendants
AT times and of his extended complaints
and trouble with the authorities unui
change was made and DR. j. w. kusseH
took charge in August. 1911. After that
Thaw seemed to be an ideal inmate dc-
cording to the case book.
Thaw had a few pet names for Dr. Austin
Flint which he used occasionally in talking
with the doctors and attendants at Mat
teawan. Among them were "a half-witted
old buffoon" "a funny old snicklefritz
and others On different occasions TWO
hundred chocolate eclairs and wagon load
Of gospel hymnbooks arrived AT the
ASYLUM which Thaw had ordered unbe-
known to the authorities. They were hhdHy
distributed among the inmates, as Ina"
said he intended them to be.
Justice Keogh conferred for two hours
with MI Jerome and Mr.. Shearn before
court opened in regard to the matter "hlch
had been suggested TO him by ThaWs
testimony Wednesday, when he was re-
minded that A. Russell Peabody, Tha~ s
former counsel, was related TO him by mar
riage, and had once come TO him for ad-
vice about Clifford w. Hartridge, Pea
bodys partner who was also connected
with the Thaw case
Though he had not remembered the in
stance and he considered IL had no ma
terial bearing on the question of Thaw's
sanity. Justice Keogh first thought that IT
might be inadvisablc for him TO continue
TO preside at the hearings, and II was the
intention to turn the case over TO Justice
rompkins.
Justice Keogh decided yesterday, how
ever, that in searching his memory over
night he could not recall anything that
Peabody had said to him that would in
fuence him in the slightest degree in de-
Gliding the Thaw case, and that his duty
compelled him to go ahead and try the
case.
Justice KeoCh told the lawyers that he
recalled that his conversation with Peabody
five years ago merely referred to the re-
lation between Peabody and his partner
Hartridge, in regard to Hartridge's claims
to any moneys, because Of his copartner-
ship with Peabody, which might be earned
by Peabody as counsel for Thaw. Hart
ridge was not in the Thaw case at the
time. and had sued the Thaws for part OF
his fees
Nj Shearn was anxious TO proceed with
the case, and argued at length that It
would be a great burden to every one con-
cerned the state as well as the Thaws. to
| have to begin all over again now, or have
to postpone proceedings until fall. Mr..
Jerome was of a different opinion, and
argued that. while he questioned in no way
the conscience and integrity of Justice
KeoGh in the matter. he felt that the hear
ing should not proceed and should be trans
ferred TO another court. Mr.. jerome took
an exception when Justice Keogh finally
decided the matter. Justice Keogh said:
"On recalling the interview and dwelling
upon it, cannot now recall a single i'm
preston left in my mind which affects the
credibility of any witness in the case, or
which relates TO the issue which | am
trying Though personally the case is d
distasteful one 10 try, ! cannot con-
scientiously decline to do so, where my
memory is that nothing now remains Of
what took place in that conversation ex-
cept what | nave stated
Clifford V Hartrdge denied yesterday
that he had imposed upon the confidential
relation of attorney and client with Thsw
and said he had not furnished the state
with letters and data eXCent what he was
compelled 10 under subpoena duces tecum
He had always claimed the privilege. as
far as he could. Mr.. Hartridge said He
gave out a letter from Thaw tending to
show that he had not been kicked out
Of the Thaw case, as Thaw testified, after
the first trial. The letter was dated New
York. April Is. 1907" and addressed to
"Messrs Hartridge & Peabody. l49 Broad
way" 1t read:
Dear Sirs: | desire you to be my attor-
neys of record in my coming trial. Very
sincerely, H. X. THAW.
r S-If you consider II advisable publish
this note although | desire no statements
given out unnecessarily.
The hearing will be resumed Monday