Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-04-16
THAW FACE TO FACE
WITH EVELYN IN TRIAL
SEEKING FREEDOM

Philadelphia, April 15.-Six special
jurors. who in 1917 declared Harry X.
Thaw a lunatic, today testified he is
sane and entitled to freedam. at jury
trial in common pleas court to deter
mine Thaw's mental status.
Thaw and Evelyn Nesbit. his divorc-
ed wife, came face to face in the court
room in a tense duel of glances. The
name of Stanford White, whom Thaw
shot and killed in 1906. suddenly men
toned, caused Thaw to manifest emo
ton: and DR.. Charles X. Mills, noted
alienist, under grilling cross-examina-
ton by counsel for the trustees of the
Thaw estate, admitted Thaw was suf-
fering from aphasia. although main
tanning that he Is sane and competent
to manage his own affairs.
There was n dramatic moment when
a careless remark as to what Thaw
might do If released, whispered by a
spectator, caused Evelyn Neshit to
shudder convulsively. Shortly after
ward she left.
Harry w. Mace, a politician, who was
foreman of the 1917 jury that ad-
judged Thaw insane. was emphatic in
declaring he is no wnormal.
"A great Improvement and change
has come over him. He is different
in every way, mentally and physical
ly," he said.
Almost identical testimony was given
by the other former jurors.
Evelyn Nesbit. mother of Russell
William Thaw, 10, who has been per-
mitted to intervene as having an an
ticipatory interest in Thaw's estate, ar
rived in the courtroom and seated her
self. Two clergymen who had visited
Thaw were put on the witsess stand.
One of them, Rev. J. Ogle Warfield,
rector Of st. Davids Episcopal church,
Manayunk, created a ripple of laughter
when he stated he had played cards
with Thaw at the Pennsylvania Hospi-
tai for Mental and Nervous Diseases.
Miss Nesbit Joined in the levity, at
tracing Thaw's attention to her.
His eyes lit up as he twisted
around in his chair to get better
look at her. For q brief period he
gazed. with a quizzical expression on
his face. Miss Nesbit's eyes invol-
UNFAIRLY turned toward him, but
quickly flashed away as she recog-
stole furtive glances at one another
each making certain the other was
not observing at the time.
The cross examination of DR..
Mills opened with renewed reference
to Thaw's behavior with his pet rab-
bits at the asylum. Turning from
that phase of the inquiry. Arthur G.
Dickson, counsel for Thaw estate
trustees, suddenly queired:
WAS Thaw sane when he shot
Stanford White?"
Thaw gasped. His eyes blinked
rapidly, as the name of the man he
killed on the roof of Madison
Square Garden eighteen years ago
was pronounced.
Doctor Mills replied that he had
not seen Thaw for six years after the
occurrence. and therefore could give
no opinion as to his sanity at that
time. In answer to a similar ques-
ton concerning Thaw's alleged at
tack upon Frederick Gump. Kansas
City high school boy, in a New York
hotel. DR.. Mills stated he knew
nothing about it, and that Thaw,
after an attempt at suicide, had de-
clined to answer all questions about
the affair.
'Is Thaw's mental condition any
different now than it was when you
examined him in Mattewan in 1922
Mr.. Dickson asked.
II find an aphasia now" DR.. Mills
said.
Later he added II do not think his
mental powers are seriously affected
by the mental lesion"
William A. Gray, attorney for Miss
Nesbit, representing Russell William
Thaw. took UP the examination of
DIR. Mills. Going into intimate de-
tails of the Gump case. Mr.. Gray
asked the specialist If he did not
consider such actions indicative of
insanity.
DR.. Mills reiterated his belief that
Thaw's actions at that time had no
influence on his present condition,
adding that it would be safe to allow
him his liberty.
rs he not likely to revert to per-
version, II released?" asked Mr..
Gray.
II can't tell you that I don't
know what you or any other man is
going to do six months or a year
from now" Doctor Mills answered.