Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-07-09
DAY He SHOT WHITE
DESCRIBED BY THAW
Could Not Answer in One Word,
He Says, Whether He Was
Insane at the Time.
GIVE UP ATTEMPT
TO QUESTION WIFE
New York State Alienists and Jury
Closely Observing Mental Con-
dition of Prisoner Now.

NEW YORK, July 9.-This was the
second day Of Harry K Thaw's testi-
mony as q witness for the state in his
sanity trial. While testifying. Thaw Is
constantly under the observation of
the states two alienists, who may be
the next witnesses.
Deputy Attorney General Cook an
| nounced at the opening Of the after
noon session that he would abandon
his efforts to bring Evelyn Nesbit
Thaw here to testify. Mr.. Cook said
1t had been reported to him that Mrs
Thaw was too Ill to make the trip here
from Chateaugay Lake and Withstand
the ordeal of testifytng.
Asked Whether he Was Insane.
Deputy Attorney General Cook began
his questioning today by asking Thaw
whether he believed himself to have
been insane at the time he killed STAN
ford White.
That" said the witness, "is = ques-
| ton that cannot be answered by ono
word. The question came up and the
| jury gave me the benefit of the doubt.
| In effect they evidently believed there
| might have been chance that my rea-
son was not all that it should be-"
| In reply to further questions, Thaw
gave correctly the date of the murder.
| He did not remember just what he did
all that day. but he did remember that
| he visited a number of steamship Of
| fees and that he had carried revolver
| with him since that morning.
| He said he had been informed that
| Monk" Eastman, New York gang
leader, was after him. He did not be-
lieve the report. but thought he should
| be prepared to protect himself
Mr.. Cook asked Thaw a series OF
questions dealing with events on the
night of the murder. Thaw detailed
his actions from dinner time until he
| fred at White. He denied that he had
said he wrote that name after he had
once copied it from a letter written by
! a clergyman. Just before he shot
White, the latter moved his hand to-
ward his pocket, Thaw asserted.
Jury Observed Mental Attitude.
Every incident Of Thaw's nfe-from his
school days to his marriage to Evelyn
Nesbit, from the staying Of Stanford
White to his trials on the charge Of mur-
der and his life at Matteawan, was thrust
before him yesterday in an effort to let
the jury observe his mental attitude
For the greater part Of the ordeal Thaw
seemed self-contained, but at times he
became palpably nervous. and on ono oc-
casion showed signs Of anger. He was
and often made somewhat rambling.
hesitating legal arguments which Deputy
Attorney General Cook, his principal
cross-examiner. made no effort to stop.
sentences, but often with a peculiar
enunciation which It was dimcult to IN
| derstand.
An exhibition Of irritation came when
Mr.. Cook asked him to tell what Eve
| lyn Nesbit had said to him on the sub
Saying that he could not remember
without reference to the record Of his
first trial. he was told that it was not
available.
always had it." Mr.. Cook repeated the
question, and Thaw. leaning forward in
his seat, said excttedly:
You would not want me to answer
that question:?
well. you shouldn't" retorted
rhaw. at is not Of a delusional nature.
IT'S perfect nonsense. You Will not
advance your case. II I were you I
wouldn't ask any more about that
story"
No Truth In Whipping stories.
He added that there was no truth
In the stories and that he had never
had a room at the house of Susan Mer-
ru1. where he is alleged to have whip
ned girls regularly. Thaw admitted
having been at the Merrill woman's
house.
He declined to relate . conversation
| ha had had with the Merrill woman IN
regard to Stanford White, as there was
"a married woman mixed up in 1t
whom admire and whose name de-
sire to protect
| Ibid you whip any girls thersr
of course, not" he replied.
Mr.. Cook questioned the witness at
| length on the will he had made. in
cution of Stanford White and others
for running young women.
The will speaks for ITSELF said
Thaw. He complained because the
name of one Of the men mentioned in
the will had been suppressed at his
! man had died.
Il object to his name having been
concealed when he was rich. and made
public after he died q bankrupt" he
| said.
what was your defense At your first
trial?' asked Mr.. Cook.
The first trial was primarily to got
the facts of the, case before tho jury"
Thaw replied "It was on the plea Of
insanity at tho time Of the act, but
fin, as otherwise we could not get some
of the facts before the jury. don't
think you knew that, Mr.. Cook
LAUDS EGYPTIAN HOSPITALS.