South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1913-08-18
OLD THAW CASE
RECALLED BY HIS
DARING ESCAPE
Shot Stanford White Seven
Years Ago and Has Spent a
Fortune in Fight For Free
dom.

NEW YORK, Aug. 1S-The thcat-
rical escape of Harry *. Thaw from
Matteawan adds another act 10 the
sensational tragedy hat had its be-
ginning in New York city on the night
OF June -. 1906. ON that occasion.
IN company with his young wife. Eve
lyn Nesbit Thaw. and two friends.
ThaW went 10 the Madison Square
roof garden TO witness the opening
performance of musical comedy.
Near the close. Thaw left his seat
and began 10 pace back and forth in
the aisle behind the seats occupied by
stanford White, an architect ot inter-
national fame, and bis son. The elder
w mite was % years old. and IN his
distinguished career had stamped
stamped on many OF New York city's
prominent buildings the mark OF his
arustlc genius. Madison Square Gar
den itself was one OF the architects
riumphs, and he had a studio in its
tower.
In this setting, Thaw drew a re-
volFer and fired three bullets into
Stanford White body. The architect
died almost instantly. 1t is believed
he did not see his slayer.
In the ensuing confusion no one
made an effort 10 intercept Thaw. who
for moment stood over his victims
PROSTATE body. Then he walked TO
the elevator where he met a house
detective and handed over his revolver
without resistance
Wife Measures Him.
As Thaw was arrested. Mrs ThaW
rushed up to her husband and placed
her arms around his necw. Thaw as
sured his wife that ii would be all
right and not TO worry.
To this Mrs. Thaw replied. Il did
not think YOU would do it that way"
and she added, Never mind. Harry.
TN stick 10 YOU through thick and
thin.
Thaw at the time of the tragedy was
- years old aud well known as a
young spendthrift millionaire from
Pittsburgh.
William Thaw. the father. was a
poor mechanic i'm Pittsburgh. and then
made small ventures ia coal lands with
increasing good fortune. lie was said
at one time 10 be the heaviest indi-
Vidual owner of the Pennsylvania rail-
road. When ne died his estate was
said to- be worth f0-ty million dollars.
by the viii, Harry Thaw was al
lowed $3.50 Eear, but his mother
Increased this To $4,000 annually.
Evelyn Nesbit married Thaw i'm
Pittsburgh on April 4, 1905. She
was noted among artists for her
beauty. and had 0een in turn model
and actress.
Long Legal Fight.
With Thaw in the TOmbs. "A legal
fight to free him began with the
weight of his fathers millions behind
a formidable array of counsel. His
first trial resulted in disagreement.
At the second the jury acquitted him
on the grounds of insanity.
lie entered the asylum Feb. s, 1908.
Since then the Thaw family has spent
a sum estimated at 100000 in efforts
TO have Thaw declared sane and set
at liberty.
There was a scandal recently over
alleged attempts TO engineer Thaws
release through the attempted bribery
of Dr. John w. Essssell. former SUI
periutendent Of the Matteawan hos
pital An inQuirI resulted in the in
dictment Of John Y. Anhut a young
New York attorney employed by
Thaw ON Mav i last Anhut was
foun1 guilty of Offering Dr. Russell
$4,000 bribe and sentenced 10 from
two 10 four years at Sing Sing.
The present superintendent az Mat
teawan DIT. Raymond O. Kieb. was ap-
pointed after Dr. Russell resigned