The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-06-23
Cook Declares Mother Nervous
Wreck at Time OF His Birth.
Attorney General Holds De-
fendant Marked All His Life.
SLAYER IS CALM UNDER FIRE
PittSburger Declares He Is of
Sound Mentality.
Young Man Busy at NOte-Tak-
ing When Not Testifying.

New York, June 23.-Harry K.
Thaw took the stand today as the first
witness in the trial before a jury to
determine his sanity.
Before Thaw was permitted to
testify, Deputy Attorney General Cook
asked to be heard on behalf of the
state. Mr.. Cook declared the state
had no interest IN the case other than
as to whether Thaw was insane and a
menace to society.
I'VE will show you that he is suf-
fering from incurable insanity" said
the states attorney. Mr.. Cook de-
clared he would show, ''by Thaw's
mother that she was suffering from
nervous prostration when he was
born
Affected All His Life.
This fact, said the attorney, had af-
fected Thaw all his life.
1--WE will show you that in his child
hood Thaw talked gibberish and that
his teachers had to talk his language
he said. Thaw'S paranoia was in evi-
dence throughout his youth, he as
serted.
Thaw, he continued, had hidden be-
hind the skirts of Evelyn Nesbitt, who
was the only witness who had testi-
fled to the depravity of Stanford
White.
Thaw was then called to the stand.
Mr. StanchfieId began to question
him in low voice and Thaw answered
in equally modulated tones.
When you left Matteawan did you
believe you had recovered your san
ity?" ne was asked.
Believes He Is Sane.
81 believed 1 was sane" said the
witness.
Physicians had told you so?"
They had"
Thaw was taken over the history of
his escape to Canada and his subse-
quent movements.
You formed acquaintances at vari-
Gus points where you stopped?"
Il was very fortunate in forming
acquaintanceS," was the reply.
Mr.. Stanchfield asked the witness to
give names, dates and places in great
detail and this Thaw did without hes
itatiOn.
''It is 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
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
extradite him to New York. He named
the members of the commission and
told how it came to be appointed.
Physicians representing a Pittsburg
bank had also come to see him in
Manchester, said Thaw.
But I did not allow them much of
an examination he added.
Banks Honor Checks
This Pittsburg bank honored your
check, did they not?"
Yes. and the banks in New Hamp-
shire, Canada, and elsewhere" said
the witness.
Mr.. Stanchfield then turned the
witness over to the states attorney,
but Deputy Attorney General Cook
announced that he would not cross
examine a this time. Thaw was then
excused and with grave demeanor re-
turned to his seat at the counsel table.
John E. Black burn, one of the jur-
OrS who acquitted Thaw of conspiracy
to escape from Matteawan, the next
on the stand and in the court room
during those proceedings seemed to be
those of a rational man.
John H. Holbert, a member of the
jury that acquitted Thaw at his second
murder trial, testified the verdict was
insane at the time of the act. At the
time of the trial. Thaw's demeanor
impressed him as that of g rational
man. he said.
The states attorney then read to the
witness a rambling note which he said
was one that Thaw had written and
pa Used to his counsel during the trial.
Does that change your opinion?"
1T does not replied the witness,
who was then excused.
Thaw during this examination was
busily writing notes.