Norwich bulletin., 1913-05-16
Says Dr. Russell
 Suggested Bribe
THAW TEsTlFlEs AT TRIAL OF
 LAWYER ANHuT.
GAS STOCK AND CASH
Declares He Turned Over s2o,ooo in
 Securities and $5.ooo in Money to
 Anhut-Latter Returned $14,7oo of It.


 New York. May 15.-Dr John Rus sell former superintendent of the Mat teawan state hospital for the criminal insane, first made the suggestion to Harry K. Thaw that he could be re- leased by the payment of a large sum, IhaW testified today at the bribery trial of John N. Anhgt here Anhut, a young attorney, is charged with offer ing, Dr. Russell bribe of $20,e00 for an order or certificate which would re- suit in freeing Thaw from further con- finement in the asylum.
 Testimony of Insane Person
 Thaw. who was brought from Mat teaWan today, was the first witness in the case He was subjected to 8 rigid examination and as vigorously cross examined by counsel for Anhut. Thaw gave his testimony in a low voice, ire Quently being asked to repeat his an sWers so that the jurors might hear Objections of counsel for the defense that ThaW, legally insane, was not com petent to testify, were overruled by the court, who, however. held that the tes- umony must be considered as that of an insane person.
 Has Spent $65,0oo to Secure His Re.
 lease.
 Thow told of visits paid to him by Anhut at Matteawan in November and December, 1912, when he declared the young attorney "Said he would get me Continuing. Thaw said.
 T asked if Dr Russell had settled on something definite, and he (Anhut) said he had, and I said the money was much more than I expected to pay; that I was not in a position where could pay it."
 Later, under cross examination, Thaw said he had spent $65,000 in all in efforts to secure his release from Matteawan, and no more This sum, he said was exclusive of the expenses of his two trials for the killing of Stan. ford White.
 SwindIed on His Trials.
 T was pretty well swindled on my trials here" Thaw explained in this connection; the costs were something tremendous"
 The witness testified that during a with Anhut, questions of raising the money were discussed, and that week later. he secured forty shares of a gas company stock, valued at about $20, 900, and $5, 900 in cash from his sister. Mrs. George L. Car negie
 Weren't the. securities to be turned over to Anhut?" Thaw was asked.
 No, they were to be turned over to Dr. Russell. We had arranged every thing before l ever saw Anhut."
 Anhut Returned $14,700.
 Tlfaw declared that his agreement with Anhut called for the return of all or part of the $25,999 if he did not walk euG of the door of the asylum or was not released by the ce11rt by spe- cif1ed dates. He stated that Anhut paid him back s14,700 of the $25,900 on January 1st last, when the plan had failed
 When turned over to counsel for the defense for cross examination ThaW to being called Harry say ing that his name was Henry
 Refused to Answer Question.
 Are you the Henry K. Thaw who shot and killed White?" the witness was asked.
 Yes" in a low voice.
 Did you intend to kill him ?"
 This is a question outside the issue, and l refuse to answer"
 Justice Seabury refused to direct the witness to answer the question, al though Thaw declined to avail himself of the plea that an answer might de- grade him, the only ground for such refusal in usual procedure.
 Anhut Was Dr.. RusseIPs Attorney. Thaw said he was anxious to get out of MatteaWan, but that in doing so he did not want to injure any one He testified that he did not see Anhut as for himself but that Anhut was attorney for Dr. Russell to con- cIude the negotiations for his release. He added that he understood. the re- ceipts for the gas stock and $5,000 in cash were written by Russell.