When I read "Ragtime" I recognized that the fiction incorporated factual history but I had no knowledge of this case. The Thaw character seemed like an eccentric sadist (the real Thaw was all that and more) who used a razor strop, not a dog whip, on his wife.

Our system of equal justice under the law causes me to contemplate the peculiar coincidence that the rich often seem to get away with murder but in Mr. Thaw's case the finding of insanity seemed to hit the mark. The mistake belonged to those who declared him cured or recovered:

As for the picture, the woman looks stylish and gracious and, though society would deny it, in their eyes she was guilty of being exposed as an adulteress by her husband's recklessness.

(My guess would have been Alice Roosevelt Longworth.)

Paula Uruburu wrote AMERICAN EVE, the biography of Evelyn Nesbit Thaw. She states that by 1914 Nesbit had a cocaine habit, which would account for the bags under her eyes. Uruburu also states that Nesbit's 'boyish figure' was apparent even when she was younger (though it doesn't seem to be apparent in the Kasebier photo from 1900).

By 1914, Mrs. Thaw was no longer considered beautiful. In a where-is-she-now story prompted by her husband's escape from a mental asylum, Mildred Van Allen wrote in March 1914 that Evelyn's eyes were wonderful but her cheeks were more flat than contoured, and she now had the figure of a 15-year-old. ("Only the man who delights in the unusual" would consider her a beauty.) But Evelyn loved that it allowed her to pass unrecognized, even on Broadway.

...I love Shorpy! I had never heard of this case before, have just read up on it, amazing story. Thankyou Dave, very educational!

I'm away from my computer for a mere 12 hours and you sneak one past me. Had I have have been aware of the post I could have really have given it some serious thought, but would have never come up with Evelyn Nesbit. Eleanor Roosevelt, who I always admired, never looked as good as the woman in this picture.

Her expression here is virtually unreadable. Do I see sadness and resignation, knowing that her husband murdered her lover, and knowing her ultimate fate? Or instead is her expression one of a knowing sophisticate, just arrived from the most sophisticated part of the world? She's quite lovely if already fading. Lines are lightly etched about her eyes and her mouth is a bemused horizontal. Deadly beautiful.

I agree. Her stunning natural beauty is far more apparent here than in her studio portraits. Sure, she's beautiful in those, but they're posed and superficial. This is real, impromptu, and with little makeup. It shows her natural beauty. It also shows what 13 years will do for a 16 year old girl. The 29 year old woman is far, far more beautiful.

Interesting, I've seen dozens of photos of Evelyn Nesbit, and I could never see what she had that drove men wild until this candid shot. Her beauty is so unassuming and charming here.

Just look at the expression of the fellow in the middle. You can see that he's enchanted by her, and he's probably the most hard-bitten photojournalist in NYC.

August 5, 1914. New York. Evelyn Thaw arriving from Southampton on White Star liner Olympic.

The former teen beauty Evelyn Nesbit, shown above at age 29, achieved notoriety in 1906 when her lover Stanford White, the noted architect, was killed by her husband, Harry Thaw. Below: Evelyn at age 16 in 1901.

Looks just like my ex. Strange.

...Miss Julia Sanderson, the actress and singer?

She would have been 21 in this picture.

Aww, someone beat me to it.

The more attractive of the president's daughters (and the one without a Wikipedia page). She would have turned 27 in 1914.

There is some resemblance to early pictures of Eleanor Roosevelt. However Mrs. Roosevelt had a child in 1914 (Franklin D. Jr.), so it isn't too likely.

Evelyn Nesbit

Wallis Simpson, the future Duchess of Windsor.

I was hoping it might be Edna St. Vincent Millay but, alas.

Coco Chanel?

Soon to be Kennedy? It doesn't look a lot like her, but they got married in 1914.

Amelia was born in 1897 so this is her as a teenager.

Evelyn Nesbit Thaw?

Could it be?

Maybe Anne Lindburgh? Before she was married? Huh?

Margaret Chase Smith

I would have said Amelia too, but not very confidently. Even though I am without a clue I have enjoyed your challenges lately.

She was somewhat famous then.

Is it Coco Chanel?

Is that silent movie star Blanche Sweet?

Not sure, but that's my best guess.

She looks too pretty to be her, but could it be Eleanor Roosevelt?

Eleanor Roosevelt

Mary Pickford??

Stop guessing Mary Pickford...it looks nothing like Mary Pickford...

Signed, Grumpy silent film fan

Eleanor Roosevelt would be about the right age, no?

At first I was thinking Theda Bara, but it was hard to find an old photo of her without tons and tons of makeup. So I guess both; call her Theda Pickford.

Is for sure : It ain't Marlo Thomas.

It sure looks like Amelia Earhart to me.

Could it be Evelyn Nesbitt?

She took over in 1914 as first lady when her mother died. She looks frumpier in other pics on the internet. But maybe?

Could be a young Mary Pickford.

But someone beat me to it. Amelia would have been 17, so it's possible.... Given her background (per Wikipedia), a photograph of her in 1914 would be a bit surprising.

The Lady in question looks a little bit like Grace Anna Goodhue Coolidge. However She could also be Alice Roosevelt Longworth.

Dorothy Parker?

Alice Roosevelt Longworth?

Looks a little like Amelia Earhart, but probably too young in 1914.

Is that Clara Bow?

[Clara Bow was 9 years old in 1914. Next! - Dave]