New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-06-20
Chances DefiantIy at Him as She
Repeats Details Leading to
Killing Of White.
ONLY SMILES FOR JEROME
Thaw Displays Little Interest in
Her Presence at Lunacy Hear
ing-Slayer Insane, Says
DR.. Hamilton.

the Thaw trials. Evelyn Nesbit Thaw be-
gan her testimony for the state yesterday
at the hearing before Justice Keogh, at
White Plains, where her husband. Harry
X Thaw. is making the third attempt TO
obtain his release from Matteawan State
Asylum for the Criminal Insane.
Mrs Thaw appeared more al case, now
that the tables are turned, placing her in
the position of a hostile witness against
her husband. Throughout her examination
she referred to him merely as "Thaw,' and
Invariably spoke the name with an indiffer-
ence suggestive Of boredom.
She was considerably more plia5le in the
hands Of former District Attorney Jerome
than when he submitted he. TO hours Of
gruelling cross-examination at the Thaw
trials. and pleasingly responded TO all his
questions. She had nothing save smiles for
Mr.. jerome. She had nothing save stony
glares for Mr. Shearn. Thaw's chief coun-
sci, whenever he interposcd an objection 10
her answers She managed, however, TO
amplify her responses and iuterject many
SIDE remarks in her testimony before MI
Shearn could head her off with an objec-
ton.
Thaw, il was said, had not seen his wife
since the habeas corpus proceedings before
Justice Mills two years ago. lie displayed
no particular interest in her presence yes
terday He had changed his seat from d.
rectly in front of the witness stand 10 the
further end Of the line OF chairs occupied
by members of the Thaw family some dis
tance away He scarcely looked at her
while she was testifying. She glanced at
him denantly now and then. They literally
brushed shoulders when she was called TO
the stand by Mr. Jerome, about an hour
before the hearing adjourned for the day
Thaw had been on the witness stand idenu-
flying some papers for Mr.. Jerome when
his wife was called. They passed each
other at the end Of the jury box without a
sign Of recognition.
Great Crowd at Courthouse.
Evelyn had been in court all day, waiting
her turn. She was accompanied by CIR!
friend and a young Englishman by the
name of Morrison. Her heralded appear
ance brought a great crowd to the court
house many OF whom were unable 10 get
into the courtroom. There were many
women and girls among the spectators.
Mrs Thaw was dressed in a reat tan linen
which set we'll down over the heavy waves
Of dark hair about her temples. Small pat
ent leather pumps and black stock with
q high spreading linen collar above IT, I'M
ished off her costume. She settled herself
in the witness chair with an air Of bored
resignation and folded her gloved hands II
her lap.
Mr.. Jerome piloted her through the story
OF her early acquaintance and subsequent
relations with Thaw. Both the former DIS
trict Attorney and the witness had the mar
rative better in hand than at the Thaw
trials, and the cid part Of the story was
covered with remarkable facility.
How old are you?" asked Mr.. Jerome as
his first question.
"Twenty-six years old Mrs. Thaw re-
piled, demurely
She said she first met Thaw in this city
in 1901. when she was playing in the "FIoro-
dora" company She married him in April,
1906. in Pittsburgh. lie had sent many notes
and flowers to the theatre for her befc
they actually met. one bouquet containoi
q so bill, which she declared she promptly
returned.
Did your acquaintance continue right
along after you first net him. asked Mr..
jerome.
We'll it was broken. l didn't think
much Of him" was the reply.
Says Thaw Followed Her to Paris.
The witness told how she met Thaw in
Paris later, where ne had followed hef ana
proposed marriage 20 her.
"Did you tell him at that time in great
detail how you had been the victim Of an
assault while under the influence Of cham
raene az the hands Of Stanford White|
asked MI Jerome.
Yes, that was in June or July, 1903
said the witness.
"sta-e what he said about it,
He was very much upset; he said it
was d horrible thing; he so5bed and cried
and went on At a great rate Evelyn an
swered
Tell anything he did
Ne bit his nails" said Mrs Thaw
Evelyn said that Thaw insisted over
and over again on having her relate the
details Of the attack and that he reverted
TO IL at all times Of day and night. his
manner was always excited and nervous
when he spoke about II. she said. The
witness told about travelling about
Europe with Thaw and living for a while
in the Schloss Katzenstein, castle Thaw
rented in the Austrian Tyrol.
Mr.. Jerome produced a small ebony box
containing two small syringes such as
person addicted TO the use Of morphine
might use
Did you ever see this before?' asked
Mr. Jerome
yes. / found it on a table in Paris
once when | was with Thaw and asked
him what IT was" replied the witness.
What did he tell your asked Mr. Je-
rome
"Oh, he few into a great rage and
snatched 1t from me-" said Mrs. Thaw
Mr. Shearn objected TO the answer and
Justice Keogh ordered 1t stricken from
the record.
State what he said. If you can remem-
ber?" suggested Mr. Jerome.
II have forgotten exactly what he did
say" replied Mrs. Thaw. but he told NE
Il was none Of my business and took IL
away from me
Manner Extremely Disagreeable.
What was his manner" asked Mr.. Je-
rome.
Extremely disagreeable," replied Mrs.
Thaw emphatically.
Mr. Jerome had the witness tell Of
Thaws persistent attentions 10 Evelyn
Nesbit after she returned TO New York
and how she had told him she didn't want
anything more 10 do with him because
she had heard horrible stories about him.
She told him that she had heard that he
used morphine that he had put a little
bov In hafhtub and heaten him until