The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1913-08-19
ANOTHER ACT TO THE TRAGEDY
Eso.pe Of Thaw Recalls Roof Garden
Scene on Night of June 25, 1906.

scene on NlgHC Ol june @os AoVO.
New York, August 1.-THE theatri-
cal escape of Harry K. ThaW from
the State Hospital for the Criminal
Insane at Matteawan, adds another
act to the sensational tragedy which
had its beginning in New York city
on the night of June %, 1905. On that
occasion in company with his young
wife, Evelyn Nesbit Thaw and two
friends, Thaw went to the Madison
Square roof garden to witness the op-
ening performance of musical COM
edy. Near the close of the perfor-
nance Thaw left his seat and began
to pace back and forth in the aisle
behind the seat occupied by Stanford
White, an architect of international
fame, <and his son. The elder White
was So years old and in his distin-
guished career had stamped on many
of New York city's prominent build
ings the mark of his. artistic genius.
Madison Square Garden itself was
one of the architects triumphs, and
he had studio in its tower.
In this setting Thaw drew a revolv-
er and fired three bullets into Stan
ford Whites body The architect
died almost instantly.
1t is believed White did not see his
slayer. In this ensuing confusion no
one made an effort to intercept Thaw,
who, FOR moment, stood over his
victims PROSTATE body. Then he
walked to the elevator of the roof
garden, where he met a house detec-
tive, and handed over the revolver.
Thaw then was arrested by po-
liceman and while the officers hand
was on his shoulder Mrs. Thaw rush
ed up to her husband and placed her
arms around his neck. Thaw assured
his wife that it would be call right"
and told her not to worry.
To this Mrs. Thaw rejoined:
81 did not think you would do it
that way" And she added:
Never mind, Harry, I'll stick to
you through thick and thin
Thaw at the time of the tragedy
was 27 years old and was known as
the young spendthrift millionaire
from Pittsburg"
William Thaw, the father, was a
poor mechanic in Pittsburg, and then
made small ventures in coal lands
with increasing good fortune. He was
said at one time to he one of the
heaviest individual owners of the
Pennsylvania railroad. When he died
his estate was said to be worth $40,-
100000.
BY the will Harry Thaw was allow
ed $4,000 a year, but his mother in
creased this to $4,000 annually.
Evelyn Nesbit married Thaw in
Pittsburg April 4, 1905. She was not
ed among artists for her beauty, and
had been in turn model and actress.
With Thaw in the tombs, legal
fight to free him began, with his fam
ily's millions behind &. formidable ar
ray of counsel. His first trial result
ed in a disagreement. At the second
trial the jury acquitted him on the
charge of murder on the ground that
he was insane when he shot White
and Justice Bowling committed ThaW
to Matteawan as an insane criminal
He entered the asylum February 8,
1908. Since then the Thaw family has
spent sum estimated at 100000 in
efforts to have Thaw declared sane
and set at liberty.
In May, 1908, Supreme Court Justice
Morschauser decided against an at
tempt to release Thaw on habeas cor
pus proceedings. In June, 1909,
similar writ met the same adverse re-
suit, this time before Justice Mills.
The case then went tc the State Court
of Appeals, which sustained the de-
cision of the lower court. A third et-
fort in July, 1912, resulted in Justice
Keogh agreeing with the other Su-
preme Justices that Thaw still was
insane.
There was a scandal recently over
alleged attempts to engineer ThaW's