Page:The Great Harry Thaw Case.djvu/173

 in manner before the sorrow of the aged woman. To attack her with the same ferocity as the wife of the accused would have spelled ruin for him. He read the handwriting on the wall and desisted.

Altogether Mrs. Thaw did not make as good a witness as did Evelyn with her wonderful composure and ready wit; but she impressed the jury and all hearers forcibly nevertheless. She herself seemed disappointed when her examination came to an end. Her disappointment centered about refusal of counsel to permit her to deny that her son Harry suffered a taint of insanity by heredity. She was placed on the stand immediately after Dr. Charles D. Wagner, an alienist, had testified Harry Thaw was incapable of viewing his action as wrong when he shot White.

Mr. Delmas conducted the direct examination of Mrs. Thaw, which follows:

"In what time of the fall of 1903 did your son, Harry K. Thaw, come to your home in Pittsburg?"

"In October. He came two days after my other son was married.

"During the time that Harry K. Thaw was at your home did you notice anything peculiar in his conduct denoting a change?"

"When he first entered the house his manner was such that it struck me at the time."

"Will you describe his appearance?"

"He seemed absent-minded and had a despairing look."