New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1915-06-23
THAW TESTIFIES AT
HIS SANITY TRIAL
Traces History Of Escape to Can
ada and Subsequent Movements
is NOT CR0SS-EXAMINED
Mattcawan Fugitive Says That When
He Left Institution He Believed He
Had Recovered His Senses and
Physicians Had Told Him So.

New York, June 23.--Jury trial Of
the sanity OF Harry Kendall Thaw.
who nearly two years ago escaped
from the asylum for criminal insane
at Mateawan, began today in the SUI
preme court here. John B. Stanch-
field presented the case for Thaw, re-
viewing the circumstances of the kill
ing of Stanford White, and arguing
that Thaw is not now insane and
would not, If legally released, be a
menace to a community wherein he
might be residing. The attorney went
at some length into the matter of
Thaw's marriage with Evelyn Nesbit
and his relations with her. Touching
upon the second trial of Thaw for the
killing of white, Mr.. Stanchf1eld quot
ed w. T. Jerome, the prosecutor, as
saying that mo one pretends that
JThaw is insane as he now sits In
court,
Thaw in escaping from Matteawan
Insane Asylum, violated no law, de-,
clared Mr.. Stanchleld.
Believed He Was Sane.
He walked out because he believed
he was sane and was being illegally
detained" he said N
Thaw had been through every court
in the state to fight for his rights.
Thaw Intelligent Man.
/ Never during that time has there
been an exhibition of temper on the
part Of Harry Thaw," he asserted
"Thaw is an educated and intelligent
man. II.
Il Deputy Attorney General Cook de-
clared that the state had no interest
in the case other than as to whenef
ThaWs was insane and menace Q
society. Paranoia, he said, was in
evidence throughout Thaw's youtn.
He had hidden behind the skirts OF
EVELYN Nesbitt, the only witness who
had testified as to the depravity Of
Stanford White
Ihaw Called TO Staffd.
sfss Thsrw WAS tsr~r1 srsf7sd to the sta od.
Mr.. Sta nchfield questioned him in a
low tone of voice and Thaw answer
ed in equally inaudible tones. He
testified that when he left Matteawa.n
he believed he had recovered his SAN
ity. and that physicians had told him
so. sAas1 III
Thaw was taken over the history
of his escape to Canada and his sub
sequent movements.
You formed acquaintances at var
ious of the places where you stopp-
ed -
II was very fortunate in forming
acquaintances,'' was the reply
Answers Without Hesitation.
Mr.. Stanchfield asked the witness
to give names, dates and places in
greats deai5 and this Thaw did with
out hesftat l0n n -
rs Il a fact that while you were
staying in Manchester, N. H., you en-
tertained friends and acquaintances,
and in turn were entertained by
them? ?"
That is right" replied the witness.
Tells of Examination.
Thaw was asked to tell of the ex-
animation of his sanity made in Man
chester by the federal commission in
connection with the proceedings to ex-
tradite him to New York. He named
the members of the commission and
told how it came to be appointed
Physicians representing Pittsburgh
bank had also come to see him in
Manchester, said Thaw, .'but did
not give them much of an examina-
tion. II
Banks Honorcd Checks.
This Pittsburgh bank honored your
check, did they mott?
Yes and the banks in New Hamp-
shire. Canada and elsewhere" said
the witness.
Mr.. StanchfieId then turned the
witness over to the states attorney
but Deputy Attorney General Cook
announced that he would not cross ex-
a mine at this time fF
Thaw was then excused.
INSURANCE RATES TO