The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-01-13
THAN HAD BEEN ON
GLORIOUS JAMB0Rtt"
Attempt at suicide Was Occasioncd by
Fear of Failing Again Into New
Works Clutches.
II GRADUALLY IMPROVING:
Family VIII Make Desperate Effort to
Keep Him From Being Taken Back
to New York For Trial on Gump
Charge.

yesterday morning because scheme
he had conceived of escaping the New
York authorities was blocked by his
escape from those who were searching
for him and make his way to Bridge
port. Conn, where he said he could
find hiding place in the home of
one OF the men who had assisted him
in the escape from Matteawan
'Thaw tried to kill himself because
he was told by the men guarding him
that ne was to be taken to New York
and be turned over to District Attor-
ney Swami Yesterday afternoon" de-
Clarcd Bernard Williams.
Williams, n chauffeur, was drinking
with Thaw IN a West Philadelphia sa-
loon up to few hours, before the
suicide attempt. He refused to talk
when grlled today at the detective
bureau. However. later located by
newspaper men, he told his story in
fun
Partly upon orders from the legal
advisers of the Thaw family and part
lY to protect themselves, said Will
lams, the private detectives guarding
Thaw arranged to give him up on
In Ignorance of this plan, Thaw,
while he was stopping at the Walnut
street rooming house. made the rounds
Of the saloons in the neighborhood.
We met Tuesday and we palled
around together Tuesday and We'd
nesday. He drank everything and we
talked about everything under the
sun. His clothes were soiled and he
was In bad shape physically.
Late Wednesday evening, before
we parted. he told me that he was
going to Bridgeport Thursday.
The police will never find me- he
asserted. The man who drove my
car when | fed from Matteawan is
living in Bridgeport, and I'll be per-
fectly safe with him.
"Thaw was full of the scheme Of
escape when he parted from me. This
was only a few hours before he slash
Cd himself
HE went to his roomine house. and
/ imagine when he arrived was told
to go and get good sleep and be
ready to give himself up. He de-
INJURED. | was told that his protest
was unavailing.
"A negro guard was placed III the
house, and when Thaw went to his
room early Thursday morning he did
so with the knowledge that he would
not be able to double-cross his guard
ians and make his escape. Therefore,
he took the only method that occurred
to him to avoid arrest"
Had Been On Spree.
/ Despite the denial of Mrs Eliza
beth Tacco, Thaw's landlady that he
had had anything except beer to
drink, Williams story Of Thaw's
carousal, in the West Philadelphia
3 raf nS 4
I keeper whose place is near the wal
nut Street house. said Thaw lurched
/ into his establishment at late hour
/ Tuesday night and asked for a car
7 TO drive me down town"
y Thaw's curious caprice, to fee to
bridgeport was fructifying in his
, mind at the time, according to VIII
( liams. The garage proprietor said
I Thaw's clothes were very soiled and
, mussy." and that he looked "as
I though he had been out for week"
slowly Improving.
/ Under police guard in ST. Mary's
Hospital Thaw was slowly regaining
strength today DIR. Ellwood II. Kir-
/ by, medical superintendent, said to-
! night
The patients mind Is still in a
haze brought about by extreme loss
Of blood and over Indulgence in slim
niants. He mutters a word or two
occasionally. but it will he several days
before he can talk coherently and six
weeks before he can leave the hos
pital | will permit no one to see
him
"Thaw does not seem to have the
slightest recollection of his act He
seemed to recognize me. His eyes
opened for moment when ad.
dressed a remark to him he muir
INJURED, oh. we'll in n weak voice
and fell again into a stupor,
There is no doubt OF tho fugi-
tve's ultimate recovery" said DIR.
Kirby. That attempt at suicide was
absolutely genuine" he added, He
made the mistake OF many men un-
acquainted with ANATOMY. He evil
IDENTIFY intended to slash the jugular
vein, but he drew the razor across
the throat instead of just above the
breast bone"
DR. Kirby said he had talked over
the telephone with Thaws mother
Family to Stand by Him.
Events today presaged another long
and hard legal battle. The Thaw
family has decided. it WAS indicated,
to place every possible legal impede
ment in the way of Thaw's removal
to New York to answer the charges
brought against him by Frederick A.
Gump, Jr.. today.
John b. Stanchfield it Is said, will
direct this fight Stanchfield has been
in telephone communication with the
local office at Valo Farrell detective
office, This agency, 1t Is said. retained
Henry J. Scott. Philadelphia law
yer. to represent Oliver S. Brewer.
charged with an indictment returned
yesterday in New York with aiding
and abetting the alleged abducting Of
the Gump youth.
Upon the insistance of District At
torney w H. Black and Magistrate Nc
Cleary. Brewer was held without bail to
await requisition to New York. Brow
er held his hat over his face in the
courtroom to avoid photographers
After the Brewer hearing. Detec-
tives John Cunniff and Barney Flood
went to the hospital and asked TO see
Thaw They were refused admission
to his bedside.
Mr. Black said tonight that he was
not interested in a report that Brewer
would offer to become "A witness for
the prosecution. I'VE do not need
him." said he.
May Plead Insanity.
Late tonight. Henry J. Scott, coun-
sci for Brewer. Thaw's friend, issued
this statement in response to a re-