New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1915-03-12
Suffering With Rheumatism.

shawl was thrown over one shoulder.
1t was nearly half past three when
Thaw took the witness chair. At first
he kept his eyes upon the face of
John b. Stanchfeld, who was lead
ing him through a direct examination.
He appeared to be exceedingly ner-
vous, for he unfolded his hands,
twisted around in the chair and
changed the position of his feet con-
tinually. He began by answering
questions in monosylla After the
examination had been in progress a
half, hour, however, Thaw began to
talk more He looked over at the
jurymen, Who themselves were all
sitting far forward in their seats so
that they might hear every word said
1t seemed that the interest of the
jury gave him confidence, for from
then on, in answer to every question.
he went into a lengthy explanation.
Neither his own attorneys or the at
torney for the prosecution attempted
to stop him. They let him answer
every question as completely as he
desired
On cross examination Thaw several
times showed signs Of Impotence with
the manner in which assertive ques-
tions We're asked him by Frank K.
Cook, deputy attorney general.
Each time, however, he quickly be-
came apologize and said that he in
tended to answer Mr.. Cooks ques-
tons to the best of his ability.
Tllaw's Tone Loud and Clear.
Tlaw testified in a loud, clear voice
and kept his eyes directly upon Mr..
Stanchfield while he answered ques-
tons.
In reply to questions he said:
There were three writs Of habeas
corpus upon which / appeared In
court. None OF the writs had jury
trial I was told, however that
might have had a jury trial the last
time had my counsel requested it,
Thaw then told of the times he had
left Matteawan and where he had
gone.
What was the insane population of
Matteawan in 1882" asked Mr.
Stanchfield. a'
about eight or nine hundred re-
Piled Tnaw.
What were your duties in the hos
pital?" ~
II assisted at clerical work In the
store room. I frequently went over
reports with the storekeeper. l also
helped to keep things in order in the
dormitories. I usually worked from
TAT in the morning until SIS In the
evening" ,.t
Describes Dining Places.
Thaw then described the places
where he dined He had breakfast
and dinner at a table occupied by
employees. Then, in reply to ques-
tons, Thaw said:
by August, 1913, 1 had come to
believe that it would be an impossi-
bility for me to get out by legal
means. ] had but little hope. | was
Informed that the methods by which
people usually got out of there would
be unsuccessful in my case
Thaw then said he slept in a ward
along with a score or more OF per-
sons who were insane.
When they would become violent"
he went on, they were put in strait
jackets"
The prosecution objected to the line
of testimony and the objection was
sustained.
Advice of Alfred Henry Lewis.
Thaw said that he had been adj
yised by Alfred Henry Lewis, a writer
who had since died, that he would be
violating no law in escaping, provid-
ing no violence was used to effect the
escape.
with that thought in mind / de-
cided to leave the institution" Thaw
continued $50 l instructed H. A.
Hoffman, one of my agents, to get me
two automobiles. l told Mr.. Hoffman
where l wanted the automobiles
placed and I fixed the hour at Z
o'clock. / knew the milk wagon ar
rived there at that time on Sunday
morning"
Did you believe yourself sane?'
ri did"
did you intend to commit a
| crime?'
Gave Men Instructions.
"I was exceedingly particular not to
| commit crime Thaw then went on,
| saying, Il never saw any Of these CO.
| defendants before that morning. l
gave the men in the automobiles in
structions and they carried them out.
I wanted to get to Pittsburg without
crossing the state Of New York. That
was why i started out to go around
| through Canada"
| The direct examination ended
Thaw was cross-examined by Deputy
Attorney General Franklin Cook as
| follows:
do you remember when you plead
! ed not guilty on the ground of in
sanity?"
Yes, ] remember that. The plea
was made by Martin Littleton, my
counsel, but l did not authorize it,
| 1t was made without my permission -
/ Mr.. Cook started to ask further
/ questions about the insanity plea
| when Mr.. Stanchfield objected. The
/ objection was sustained.
/