Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1917-01-12
THAW MAY LIVE
IF HE DID NOT
TAKE DEADLY DRUG
Poison Tablets We're Found
IR Room When
Searched
FAMILY WILL FIGHT HARD
AGAINST ALLEGED CHARGE
Physician Of Young Cump
Tells Story Of Brutal
Treatment

Philadelphia, Jan. 12-HaTTy X.
Thaw will live, despite his attempt to
end his life by cutting his throat and
wrists yesterday, providing he did not
swallow any of the deadly poison tab
lets discovered to be missing from bot
tie found in his pocket.
Physicians at st. Mary's hospital
declared early today that they were
greatly concerned over the possibility
that Thaw may have taken the poison.
With the discovery that some of the
tablets were missing, Thaw was watch
ed closely
DR.. John T. Austrah, resident physi-
clan at st. Mary's, today said:
"We are on fence. Thaw's con-
dition is still in doubt, mainly because
we cannot determine whether he took
any poison, which would certainly kill
him. 1t will probably be several days
before his stomach can be analysed. -
In the meantime every preventative
to counteract the action of the poison,
if Thaw did do what physicians seem
to fear, is being employed. Thaw had
revived somewhat this morning from
the stupor in which he fingered through.
out yesterday. He couldn It talk but
further efforts will4s5ye made by the
police to get a statement from him some
time today. The wounds that Thaw
slashed in his throat and wrists were
not deep enough to bring about death,
except by-slow bleeding. He missed
his jugular vein bare eighth of an
inch and the3main arteries of his wrists
by the same fraction. He had lost con.
siderable blood, however, before Mrs.
Elizabeth Tacto in whise home he at.
tempted to end his life, found him.
Friends Say It's Blackmail.
While physicians were battling to
save his life friends outside ST. Mary Is
hospital were preparing for an even
greater battle--a fight to save the
Pittsburg millionaire from Matteawan
if he lives to face trial on the indict-
ment that charges him with having
flogged Frederick Gump, Jr.
DR.. Walter Riddle of the Mellon In
stitute of Pittsburg, and Frank Johns
ton, a New York friend of the family
are here today, prepared to assist in
both battles. 1t is probable, the po
lice say, Thaw will not fight extradi
tion, if he RECEIVERS, but will wage his
flight in New York.
/ Samuel G. Maloney, a detective at
| tached to the Val 0 Farrell agency, who
has been guarding Thaw since Monday
and took him to the house in West
Philadelphia, gave first intimation OF
what this fight would be based upon
He branded Frederick Gump's story OF
being flogged in the McAlpin hotel
! New York, as "false and a cast OF
blackmail" pure and simple
Both Moloney and O'Farrell were TAX
en- to detective headquarters late last
night and quizzed by Captain Tate fol
fully an hour. They were asked to ex
| plain why they had permitted Thaw tt
remain in the city under their guard
since Tuesday without causing his ar
rest. When it was explained that Ma
loney was to take Thaw to New York
this morning and deliver him to Dis
trict Attorney Swami, they were per
mitted to go.
Thaw was permitted to lie in the
I room where he slashed himself from
l0:30 yesterday morning until nearly
/ in the afternoon because it was feared
the excitement of sudden removal would
= nave Detu Ddu IOI HlIu, IL was explain
ed. Three physicians, including Dr.
Elwood Kirby, who was retained al
! the telegraphic request of Mrs. Mary
/ Copely Thaw, Harry's mother, dressed
4 his injuries.
Arrest Was Private.
Maloney found Thaw in the Bellevue
Stratford hotel Tuesday. New York
and Philadelphia detectives were search
| ing for him but he went about the city
with apparent safety. Wednesday he
was in "party" and the same even
J Ing went to the theatre. A number OF
friends are known to have recognized
him and the theatre is but block from
the city hall
Maloney was taking Thaw direct t.
! New York, it was stated, because thG
millionaire had objected that he die
not want ito be arrested like an ordin
ary criminal District Attorney Swan
had been notified by wire and telephone
that Thaw would surrender Thaw wa
\ taken to Mrs. Tacto's residence and in
\ trodueed as Mr. Harry West. Unit
the woman heard police mention tn
name Of Harry Thaw" she did no
4 know who her strange guest was. No ac
ton will-be taken toward her.
4 The police will take no chances ON