New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-07-03
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GIRL STARTLES THAW
Defence IN TEST|FY|NG
SAYS Minutes of His Examination
by Drs. May and Russell Were
Revised by ThaW.
SHE OMITTED SOME PARTS
Stenographer subpenaed Sud
denly-Shearn and DR.. Flint
Engage in Battle
of Wits.

OF WIS,
The state threw a bomb into the camp
OF the lawyers representing Harry K. Thaw
at the hearing on Thaw's sanity before
Justice Keogh at White Plains just before
court adjourned Yesterday. The commotion
was created by an inoffensive looking little
witness in the person Of Miss Ncla Louise
Greening. an official stenographer from the
Matteawan State Asylum for the Insane.
who testified that Thaw had been permitted
TO assist personally in revising the copy
she made of mental examination of
Thaw in November, 1911 10y DIR. James V.
May. superintendent. and his assistant. Dr.
Russell. the present head of the institution
This particular mental examination Of
Thaw by the Matteawan authorities was
supposedly a most thorough and complete
one. lasting five days. # was entered in
the case book of the Matteawan Asylum s
an official part of the diagnosis of Thaws
mental condition. II was read in evidence
by Clarence J. Shearn. Thaw's lawyer, and
appeared TO indicate that Thaw's state of
mind at that time was anything but IRA
records Of the examinations of Thaw in the
case book during the regime Of Drs. Lamb
and Baker. when Thaw appeared to be ar
rogant. profane and disObedient.
The May-Russell examination Of Thaw.
when read I'm evidence, impressed many In
the courtroom as being a remarkable docu-
ment. 1t covered many questions in arith-
metc and geography and various memory
tests which some learned persons would
have found 1t difficult to answer offhand
Thaw evidently answered all the ques-
tons with facility. in a calm and subdued
demeanor The names Of remote towns and
cities. historical personages and dates were
given and various sums in arithmetic we're
done by the patient with unwavering accu-
racy. he clearly stated in answer 10 the
doctors questions that he had not the
slightest Ill will toward any one, specifically
including former District Attorney Jerome,
DR.. Austin Flint and others.
Referring to the document afterward, Mr..
Jerome was heard 10 remark that II read
very smoothly and that It might be inter
esting to inquire into all the circumstances
under which it was recorded 4 process
server was sent to Peekskil Monday night
and journeyed TO Matteawan yesterday
morning, where he subpenaed Miss Green
ing bright and early and took her to White
Plains before 1T was possible for other per-
sons to talk with her.
The stenographer went further in her tes-
timony than TO say that Thaw had assisted
in revising his own examination. and said
that there were many things he said during
the examination which she did not put
down. according TO instructions.
Or. Baker Calls Thaw lncursbIe.
Or. Baker former superintenG INT Of Mat
teawan. who had Thaw under observation
for practically three years. testified yes
terday that, in his opinion, Thaw was suf-
fering from paranoia, an incurable form OF
insanity. and would be a danger to the
peace and safety Of the community II re-
leased. Mr.. Shearn completed his cross-ex-
animation OF DR.. Austin Flint. the first
alienist to testify for the state. Mr. Shearn
'had Just completed the cross-examination
Of DR.. Baker and an adjournment had been
suggested, when Mr. Jerome asked for
few minutes and suddenly called Miss
Greenng.
She seemed frightened at the prospect Of
facing the crowded courtroom from the wit
ness stand. and trembled as she was sworn
in, and took her seat in the chair. She is
"a small girl. with light hair and a rather
pale complexion.
"You are the official stenographer at Mat
teawan and were there in November, 1911,
were you not" asked Mr.. Jerome.
Yes" replied the witness.
you did not know that you were TO he
subppnaed in this case until this morning.
did YOU" asked Mr.. Jerome.
mo, sir" said the witness timidly.
Did you take notes OF the five days ex-
animation OF Mr. Thaw by DR.. Russell and
DR.. May in November. 1911 and afterward
make a copy Of that examination" asked
Mr.. Jerome.
Yes" was the reply.
Who did you give that copy to-" asked
Mr.. Jerome.
ITO Dr. May" the witness said
Miss Greening testified that DR.. May re-
turned the copy to her considerably re-
vised"
4 WHO revised it?' asked Mr.. Jerome
DIR May and Mr.. Thaw," the witness re-
piled.
The witness said she afterward made
/ eight copies OF the revised edition Of the
\ examination and gave them to DR.. May
She didn't know whether any copies were
given to Thaw. One copy was fled in the
b case book, as required by the state lunacy
flaws
There were many things which Mr.
hThaw said during the examination which
Eyou did not put down. were there not?"
asked Mr.. Jerome.
Yes" was the reply.
Mr. Shearn excused the witness without
sany cross examination and the court ad-
Ajourned.
Miss Greening said afterward that she
f. had been told not TO take some things In
1 her notes that Thaw said. DR.. Russell sue
ceeded DR.. May as superintendent of Mat
J teawan Asylum, DR.. May resigned in order
, 10 take the place made vacant By the res
ignation OF Dr. Albert W. Ferris as presi-
dent Of the State Lunacy Commission. Dr.
r. b. Lamb was superintendent and Dr.
Baker was his assistant in the administra-
ton prior to the May Russell regime. Thaw
carried on an active campaign against Drs
Lamb and Baker and attacked them SCI
vereIy I'm letters of complaint which he
(Thaw) wrote to Governor Dix.
Or. Flint on Thaw's Condition.
Asked TO describe some Of Thaw's present
decisions by Mr.. Shearn. DIR. Flint, who was
under cross-examination yesterday, said:
II think he has an insane hatred of GER
tain persons. ! think that he has an in
sane delusion that Mr.. Jerome and myself
are busy manufacturing evidence against
him. I think that he has an insane delu-
sion that / am at the bottom of his wife's
testimony against him. / think Il is he who