Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 208, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 September 1914 — ESPIONAGE OVER HARRY K. THAW IS CONSIDERED IN LIGHT OF JOKE [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

ESPIONAGE OVER HARRY K. THAW IS CONSIDERED IN LIGHT OF JOKE

Stanford White’s Slayer Recently Got Lost While Fishing, But Mat?e No to Escape—Refugee From Matteawan Quietly Waits at Gorham, N. for the Next Move in His i_ung and Strenuous Fight for Liberty.

Gorham, N. H. —Harry K. Thaw, who is quartered here with his secretary and two bodyguards, appointed by the court to see he does not escape, can walk out of his hotel, jump into an automobile and flee practically any time it suits his mood.

Apparently, however, the slayer of Stanford White, whose extradition to New York state and return to the state hospital for the criminal insane at

Matteawan is sought, has no desire to quit Gorham. Whether this is because he believes the courts will ultimately free him or he is content with his surroundings, is problematical When the village thawed out last May, White’s slayer packed his baggage and came here from Concord with Sheriff Holman A. Drew, in whose charge he had been placed; Deputy Sheriff C. D. Stevens, assistant to Drew, and H. J. Rice, who for some time has acted as Thaw’s secretary. A suite of four rooms and bath had been engaged for the party on the third floor of the Mount Madison house, and here they have since enjoyed life pending the next legal move in the famous case.

Gorham was selected as a summer headquarters from which to direct Thaw’s "liberty campaign,” because it is but a few miles from Berlin, the home of Sheriff Drew. The sheriff is an elderly, stout and good natured official whose duties do not appear to weigh heavily upon him. He spends such time as suits his convenience in the Thaw suite and the balance where he pleases—usually at home. Bodyguard Stevene is a bit more attentive to his charge, but his cares have not whitened his hair. Possibly the only time he has been at all worried was a few days ago when Thaw got lost on a trout fishing trip. He struck in at one' point on Nineteen Mile brook and Stevens on another. Along about nine o’clock in the eyening, when nothing had been heard of Thaw, the deputy sheriff called up the hotel and a searching party was organized. This was led by Rice. With the aid of lanterns Thaw was found about two o’clock in the morning seated on a rock in the middle of the stream calmly and with good sense waiting for some one to come for him. He was hungry and wet, but not otherwise the worse for bls experience. He might have been deeply burled in the Maine woods by that hour had he been so inclined. This episode, as well as others, is pretty good proof that Thaw can escape if be is so minded. ' Gorham is a smart little summer resort in the Androscoggin valley, and is one of the gateways to the White mountains. The Hase range flanks it in the rear, while tn the front rise the twin peaks of Mount Madison, and the sharp crags of Carter, the Imp, Surprise and other peaks of Carter range.

When Thaw first came here all the year round residents evinced great curiosity in the slayer. Not knowing the symptoms of paranoia, they expected to see a veritable madman, wild eyed and at least crazily erratic. They were disappointed. It is true that Thaw today has the same staring eyes which have marked him for years and that he is erratic, but he hasn’t come up to expectations by a long shot. So after a time they gave up paying much attention to him.

Visitors from the city are equally curious upon their arrival, but their inquisitiveness shortly subsides. They find Thaw to be very much like the other guests, save that he is somewhat exclusive. Much of his time is spent in offices he has established in the Noyes building, centrally located in one of the few streets this little village boasts. The ’ rest of his day is occupied in automoblling, fishing and tramping.

Thaw recently bought a five-passeh-ger car. The report that he mixes with the guests and takes them on his outings is erroneous. In truth, this is quite contrary to the facts, as, with but one exception, his parties have been made up of the sheriffs, his secretary and himself.

The exception has to do with a tramp up Mount Washington early in the month. This was made over the northern end of the Presidential range by way of Crystal Cascade trail and was uneventful. A friend from Concord made up the fifth member of the party. The jaunt proved Thaw to be as hard as nails and an excellent candidate f«r the Alpine Climbers’ society. • Thaw is too busy with his “liberty campaign” to pay much attention to the guests of his hotel or to the residents of the place. He has the reputation of being uniformly courteous to women and to such men ae seek his acquaintance, but he seldom seeks an Introduction on his own account. He prefers to remain in the background, which is unusual in view of his past performances. The refugee from Matteawan is a fair trout fisherman wfifen it comes to landing fish in Moose river, Nineteen Mile brook and Peabody’s river, but what he would do with a trout over eight inches long can’t be prophesied, for the reason that they don’t grow

any longer than that up here. When he fishes, Stevens goes along, but be whips a different section of the brook, that being the way of real sportsmen. Every one around Gorham is under the impression that Thaw has an income of JIOO.OOO. It is known that he has just come into over $160,000 from his father 1 ® estate. The amount of his Income has been industriously and

mysteriously circulated, but not by Thaw. Whatever the figure may be. Thaw la not spending aa large amounts as the natives hoped he would. He pays well for what he gets, but he doesn’t want much.

He Ilves on the same fare the others get, and there Js fio reason why he shouldn’t, in view of Its excellence. He patronises the local stores when he happens to need what they can supply, and when they fail him he sends to New York or Boston. It is an excellent guess he hasn’t expended much for clothing, for he is fairly slovenly in appearance. At any rate, if he has bought much apparel he hasn’t seen fit to wear it

Dr. Austin Flint, alienist for New York state in the Thaw trials and hearings, and William Travers Jerome, chief of the state’s prosecuting officers, have said Thaw’s great danger lies in alcohol.. They have stated to the courts that should the stayer take so much ae one drink, especially of champagne, he would likely enough again homicidal tendencies. •

Thaw hasn’t had a drink since he came here, although he has-had plenty of opportunities. There is a bar in the hotel for guests, and wines and liquors may be had on the table or in the rooms. So far as can be ascertained Thaw has never been in the bar nor has he had intoxicants sent to his room. He i% now a total abstainer. His one vice, if it can be called a vice, is smoking.

Outside the fact that he doesn’t drink and is more moderate in his speech, Thaw doesn’t' seem to have changed much since the days when he was a well-known character on Broadway. He is still nervous, arrogant, excitable and suspicious. His mandatory nature continually asserts itself, but he can be winsome if he chooses. It is unquestionably a fact that Thaw is trying his best to conduct himself properly and to win support in that way. In a measure he is succeeding, but the-naiivee will never condone his offense agaflist society. Some have no hesitancy tn thus declaring themselves, but a good many believe he has been amply punished. Others openly declare he should be returned to Matteawan to spend the balance of his life. -/ •

Thaw expects the next move in bm fight will be made in September. He is optimistic as to the outcome, and the chances are he will remain here quietly to await results. If he has reason to change his mind he will have no difficulty in escaping.

Roads and paths radiate from it like spokes in a wheel.

Harry K. Thaw.

William Travers Jerome.