The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-05-16
Ihaw Tells Court Others
Escaped By Bribery AS He
Attempted to Do
RUSSELL AND ANHUT
WOULD GET $4,000
Superintendent of the Asylum
Received Most of Thaw's
Bride Money and
Repaid Part

NEW YORK, May 15-Harry X.
Thaw told jury in the criminal
branch OF the Supreme court today
how he had paid John Nicholson An
hut. the young lawyer, s25. 200 in Sc
curities and cash, to obtain his re-
lease from Matteawan hospital for the
Criminal Insane. Anhut was to get
only small of this money. $4,000
or $4,000. and the balance was to go to
reimburse DR.. John Russell, then
of the institution. Thaw
has received back s14,700 Of this
money.
Thaw made a keener and more
alert witness this afternoon than
he has ever made before, according
to all who have seen him on the wit
ness stand since he was acquitted of
the murder of Stanford White, on the
ground of insanity. The question of
Arthur c. Palmer. counsel for An
hut, on trial on a charge OF bribery,
did not succeed in rafting the wit
ness. IT required only few hours Of
the morning for the jury box to be
filed.
Objection to Thaw Oyerrulcd.
When court opened in, the after
noon, DR.. DeFord said that he wanted
TO call Thaw. detained AS an insane
prisoner at Matteawan, and Mr.. Pal
mer objected.
When Thaw came before the grand
jury in this case I examined him.
interjected the justice. u found him
sufficiently competent to take an oath,
give names. and dates. Or course his
testimony In to be taken as. evidence
Thereupon Thaw marched in. He
sat quietly in the chair at first. but
later. as he became excited or stirred
up over questions. he crossed his
u r. 49, -
OF the chair. and switched around. Mr..
DaEerd took him In hand at first.
Thaw testified that he Was at Matte
wan on November 2, 1919. He had
met Anhut on that date first out in
the hall. and then In the counsel room,
where they had talked for several
hours
DIR. Russell had told him that law
yer would come to see him who would
act for him, Russell, and discuss the
matter OF release. Thaw had talked
with Anhut, who had told him, the
witness testified. that DR. Russell's
terms was $4,000. Witness told An
hut the amount surprised him, and
he asked Anhut II that was the least
DR. Russell would take. and Anhut
said ii was.
How much was Anhut to get out
of this?"
au ubt remember exactly Out
he said either s2,50e or $1,000"
What proceedings were to be un-
dertaken?"
How IL Is Done.
Mr.. Anhut said. and DR.. Russell
had told me before. that 1t was only
necessary for the superintendent 10
lead me to the door, pronounce me
sane. and let me go. i suggested that
perhaps il might be better for the
superintendent to do IL through a
certificate to the court, as the courts
have always accepted such returns
without question. but Mr.. Anhut said
that DR.. Russell did not believe this
to be necessary. The court might
refuse"
Mr.. DeFord questioned a little
further along this point, and Thaw
discussed the question at length. He
said a man OF the name OF Matthison,
who had killed his nephew and niece.
had been released In this way. so had
Preusser. the man who killed Miles NJ.
ODonnell. Richards and few more.
Mr.. DeFord tried to stop him, but he
elaborated on the two methods.
My case is just like Preusser's," he
wound up.