Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1913-02-25
PLOT TO
FREE HARRY THAW
Prober Tells of Alleged Con-
spiracy to Injure
SuIzer.

ALBANY, N. Y, Feb. 25.-"In the
early part of January information
came to me that the so-called prison
ring made up of superintendent
Scott and his immediate underlings,
were engaged in a conspiracy to in
volve the Governor of the State of
New York so they might be retained
in their positions, or SO they might
continue the profitable business in
brokerage pardonS they had con-
Quoted under Governor Dix. | called
the attention of the Governor to the
fact that he was in grave danger.
He told me l should investigate"
Such was the startling charge
made by William f. Clark, the secre-
| tary of the Carlisle committee of in7
quiry, testifying regarding the alleged
attempt to bride DR.. John r. Rus
sell, superintendent of Matteawan
State hospital. by John Nicholas
Anhut to free Harry K. Thaw, the
slayer of Stanford White.
Reiterating in detail the attempted
bribery. and again accusing Clark of
using the name of Governor Sulzer
in an effort to get Thaw's release, DR..
Russell followed Clark on the stand.
Joseph F. Scott, superintendent of
prisons, told of DR.. Russelfs report
to him of the alleged attempt at
bribery and the alleged misuse of the
Governors name.
The bribery charge, being only the
word of Russell against Ahnut, Col
onel Scott declared he saw no way to
bring successful prosecution, and the
matter was allowed to drop.
These were the chief events in the
most sensa tional sessions yet held
by the Carlisle committee.
Clark's statement was crisp and
dramatic.
I'm the early part of December"
ran his testimony, 81 discovered Dr.
Russell had sent for Thaw and asked
him how he would like to get out.
Naturally Thaw said he would like
to get out first rate. Well said
Russell, you have been making a
proceeding. 1 will suggest a lawyer
and if you retain him 1 will guaran-
tee you will be out of this place in a
very short time
"Thaw," continued Clark, acting
on the advice of Russell, retained |
Anhut.
1.-THE lawyer" declared Clark, |
through people connected with him |
financially, handed the agent of DR.. |
Russell $4,000. DR.. Russell was to |
release Thaw the latter part. of De- |
cember, but getting the $25, 900 seemed |
to be so easy they decided they would |
make another touch, the other amount |
was not forthcoming and Thaw was |
not liberated. When Governor Sui |
ger assumed Office these gentlemen ]
became very uneasy and reported to |
Thaw he could not be released for at !
least six or eight months, they hand |
ed back $1,000 of the $4,000 which |
they had originally received"
DIR. Russell told of his acquaintance
with Anhut, who, he said, he met in
June during legal proceedings in
volving Thaw, which were being
heard at White Plains. In August he
entertained Anhut at the hospital
and on November % met him in New
York, where the first attempt to
bribery was, he says made.
Colonel Scott, following DIR. Rus
sell on the stand, testified that the
first he knew of any bride offer was
from Secretary Mcdowell on jan
uary 20.
The committee is to take up the
matter again tomorrow. Judge Nor
ton, reporting that Mr.. Anhut,
who comes voluntarily, could not be
present before then. Later Thaw
will be examined, probably at Mat /.
teawan, although this has not been
definitely determined.