New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-07-08
WARRANT ISSUED
FOR MRS. THAW
Continued from page 1

ctand in 9erson, and had expressed re-
Grot when they found she had eluded
them.
But the other day. so A. L. Becker.
who IS assisting Mr.. Cook, said in
court, Abel I. Smith. jr.. Of Thaw's
counsel, telephoncd 10 him and told
them that Susan Merrill was in town
and where she could be captured. As
q result Of this. she was rounded up
by state detectives and brought to
court.
When she was put on the stand at
noon John 3. Stanchfeld, Of Thaw's
counsel said he was taken off his feet
by surprise, and asked for a recess
until his assistant. Mr. Smith, who was
absent for the morning. could be sum
moned. Mr. Stanchdcld was not pre-
pared 10 cross-CXamine Mrs. Merrill.
bus Mr.. Smith was primed for her.
Before she was allowed TO begin Mr..
Stanchfeld made a mild protest to her
teStlfying on the ground that her
story had already been read into the
record, but he was overruled
Her direct story ran smoothly enough.
along the lines it followed at previous
hearings. 1t was TO the effect that
Thaw engaged rooms from her in sew
eral houses she kept in the years from
1902 to 1905 under the name of MIR.
Reed and other aliases.
Then Mr.. Smith began his cross-ex-
animation. Mrs. Merrill leaned for
ward in her chair, her muscles tense
and her face strained, ready TO fight
back
where did you come from Friday ,"
Mr.. Smith asked
oil 10 = Il
enough in the newspapers" she said
After some sparrinG she admitted she
came from New Jersey.
Il was brought from Boston by
force" she said "by a great big police
man. Then | went TO New Jersey with
n great big woman detective"
Have you made any demands on
Mr.. Thaw within the last six months
for money to stay away so that you
could not be produced b. the state as
a witness ," Mr. Smith asked her.
"Mr. Thaw promised nc money and
was cheated out of it," she replied
Asked Thaw for Money.
Didn't you come to see Mr. Thaw
and ask him for money to stay away?'
Mr.. Smith continued.
You are trying to create wrong
impro ssion about me-" she said, far
ing UP. Il went TO sec Mr.. Rice, Mr.
Thaw's secretary. wanted him TO
keep his promise"
Did you come to Mr.. Thaw and ask
for money" Mr.. Smith reiterated.
Answer the question: Justice Hen
drick said.
Yes. l did" Mrs. Merrill said.
Mr. Smith then produced a transcript
Of the record of an action in which she
had sued man by the name of Laza-
retn Levy for breach of promise.
AT the end Of that suit you were
placed under $4,000 bail for perjury by
Justice Fitzgerald, were you not?'
Smith asked
81 was poor girl and that man was
worth $4,000, 000-what could | do ,"
she said plaintively. parrying the ques
ton. Smith reiterated his question and
she evaded answering until Justice
Hcndrick interrupted
Madame, don't you know whether
you were held for perjury" the JUS
tice demanded impatiently. She then
admitted that she was held on that
charge.
Didn't you testify a; the trial
against Mr.. Levy in 1908 that Mr. Reed
was at YOUR house always with the same
woman, who was his wife," Smith
asked
IF said that didn't tell the truth"
she SAID. But | didn't say it. was
nervous and excited and hysterical, |
had been sick, was insane, ! didn't
knoH what / was saying She was
writhng in the witness chair. Il all.
telling the truth now" she went on.
"Well, wasn't that perjury indictment
against you quashed by Mr.. Jerome
the day after you told your story at
White Plains, in 1909. that Mr.. Thaw,
as NJ. Reed. brought many different
women to your house after that in
dictment had been hanging over you a
vear-and You changed your story from
saving that Mr.. Reed brought only one
woman who was his wife," Mr. Smith
asked
Mrs. Merrill wanted to explain but
she was not allowed to and finally an
swcred the question with "NO."
Then Mr.. Smith sprung the trap he
had been waiting fort was like G.
sort Of opening in the floor under her.
II was an affidavit signed By her on
August l, 1912, before James Ely, when
he was investigating the charges be
fore the Bar Association against Cliff
ford ". Hartridge, former Thaw law
ser, which resulted in Hartridge's dis
barment. Mrs. Merrill's affidavit read
when | testified, in 1909, at White
Plains, in the investigation relative to
the sanity Of Harry K. Thaw, that |
had paid between $50, 900 and $4,000
to keep away women from the Thaw
trial. / testified falsely and did so at
the instigation Of Clifford W. Hart
ridge, who told me would be ruined
unless ! helped him out.
Il also testified falsely on the same
subject at the hearing before the com
mittee on grievances Of the Bar Asso-
citation in the proceedings brought by
il concerning the said Hartridge. l
never received from the said Hartridge
more than the sum of $1,000 to pay to
women said TO have been connected
"By what authority did you advise
with Thaw, and the largest sum | ever
received for one girl was $500, which
I paid 10 Ruth Wallace.
81 testified thus first because OF
threats made by Hartridge and later
because felt sympathy for him. The
money he claimed TO have given me to
paw women connected with Thaw 20
keep away from the trial he told me ne
lost at gambling.
81 make this affidavit without fear or