The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-01-12
THAW WILL LIVE
UNLESS POISONED
MAY Have Swallowed a Few
Deadly Tablets Before Cash
ing Throat and Wrist
With Razor.
FRIENDS TO HIS RESCUE
Planning Big Fight to Save Him From
Being Put Back In the In
sane Asylum at
Matteawar.

UNITED Press Leased Wire Service.
PHILADELPHIA, Pa, Jan. 12.-
Harry K Thaw will live, despite his
attempt to end his life by cutting his
throat and wrists yesterday, provid.
ing he did not swallow any Of the
deadly poison tablets discovered to
be missing from a bottle found in
his pocket.
Physicians at st. Marys hospital
declared early today that they were
greatly concerned over the posi-
bility that Thaw may have taken the
poison. With the discovery that
some of the tablets were missing
Thaw was watched closely.
DR.. John T. Austrah, resident ply
sician at ST. Mary's today said:
1--WE are on fence. Thaw's con
dition is still in doubt, mainly be
cause we cannot determine whether
he took any poison which would GER
tainly kill him. 1t will probably Be
several days before his stomach car
be analysed"
In the meantime, every preventa
tive to counteract the action cs ..ss;;s ..ss;;s
poison. II Thaw did do what phys:
clans seem to fear, 10 being EN-
ployed. Thaw had revived somewhat
this morning from the stupor in
which he fingered throughout yes
ther efforts will be made by the
some time today.
The wounds that Thaw slashed In
his throat and wrists were not deen
enough to bring about death except
by slow bleeding. He missed his
jugular vein by bare eighth Of an
inch and the main arteries Of his
wrists by the same fraction. He
had lost considerable blood, how
ever, before Mrs. Elizabeth Tacot in
whose home he attempted to end
his life, found him.
While physicians were battling to
save his life, friends outside St.
Mary's hospital were preparing for
an even greater battle-a fight to
save the millionaire from Matteawan
if he lives to face trial on charges OF
having flogged Fredk. Gump, Jr. Dr.
Walter Riddle of the Mellon insti-
tute, Pittsburgh, and Frank Johnston,
New York friend of the family, are
here today, prepared to assist in
both battles. 1t is probable, the
police say, Thaw will not fight extra
dition if he will recover, but will
wage the fight in New York. Saml.
G Maloney, a detective attached ITO
the Val O'Farrell agency, who has
been guarding Thaw here since Mon
day and took him to the house IN
West Philadelphia, gave first int1rua-
ton of what this fight would be
based upon. He branded Frederick
Gump's story of being fogged in the
McAlpin hotel New York as false
and case of blackmaiI' pure AMI
simple.
Both Maloney and O'Farrell W .re
taken to detective headquarters late
last night and quizzed by Captain
Tate for fully an hour. They we:e
asked to explain why they had per-
mitted Thaw to remain in the city
under their guard since Tuesday
without causing his arrest. When it
was explained that Maloney was to
take Thaw to New York this morn
ing and deliver him to District At
torney Swami, they were permitted
to go.
Thaw was permitted to lie in the
room where he slashed himself from
1890 yesterday morning until nearly
two in the afternoon because it was
feared the excitement of sudden re-
moval would have been bad for him,
-