The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-09-09
HAMS TRIAL UNDER WAY
COMMANDER EVANS OF THE NAVY
ON THE STAND.

He Testified That Hains Shot His
Friend Dead While the Latter Was
Rowing Hams Movements Arter
the Shooting - Commander Evans
Thought the Boys Were Only Sky
larkinR.
FORTRESS MONROE, VA, Sept. S.-The
trial OF Thornton j. Hains, for shooting
Ned Hannegen OF Washington while out
out In sail boat on June 12 last. was called
at noon to-day in the circuit court
at Hampton, Judge Hunter of Accomac,
presiding. The defense was represented by
Mr.. Shillington and Hon. John Goode
Of Washington, Col. Thomas Tabb and
Mr.. Wheeler OF Hampton, Associated
with Mr.. Montague the commonwealth's
attorney, were A. A. Lipscomb of WASH
ington, Senator Daniel Voorhees, and Judge
Nelson of Indiana, young Hannegen's
grandfather. A jury was secured without
loss of time. Eleven of them are farmers.
The first witness called was Commander
Robley d. Evans, United States navy.
GRAPHIC STORY.
He gave a graphic account of the shoots
ing. He occupied cottage just east Of the
light house, aud had gone down to the beach
and a taken a seat in boat belonging to
his son to watch a squall then approaching.
He observed Bail-boat with two
men in 1t, one standing up skull
ing, whom he recognized as Thornton
Hains, aud tho other who was sitting down
in the boat rowing, as Ned Hannegen. It
was dead calm at the time and the two
sails in the boat hung loosely amidship.
After passing the point where Evans sat.
and while not over $50 feet away, Hains
stopped down and took up coat from the
boat and a moment afterward leaned for~
ward and fired two shots in quick success
sion at his companion.
ROWING WHEN SHOT.
Both Of Hannegan's hands were on tho
oar pulling when the shots we're fred. He
pulled ono oar two strokes after that, and
then fell back in the boat Hains then
headed the boat toward the ripraps and
continued sculling. A few moments later,
Hannegen caught hold Of the side OF tho
boat and raised himself up, crying: "Help,
belp, this mau has shot me. / am killed"
He then fell back in the boat and
was seen no more. Capt. Evans thought
at the time that the boys were skylarking;
and as it commenced TO rain shortly after
ward he returned to the house. Hains, after
sculling out some distance, went forward
in the boat to where Hannegen lay, and
took in the oar which was trailing over tha
side
BROUGHT IN THE BODY.
He then returned, shipped the rudder.
took down one OF the sails aud stood out in
the roads. Shortly after ward he tackled
| and brought the boat ashore on the bay
side, near che water battery. He then
came ashore and passed Capt Evans house
on his way to the telegraph office. This is
substantially the story az told by Capt.
Evans. Mr. Shillington then took up the
cross-examlnation, which lasted about two
hours, during which he tried TO prove by
Capt. Evans that the shooting had
occurred in the waters Of Chesapeake boy.
This was probably done with a view to car
rying the case to the United States court If
the decision Of the circuit court should not
be satisfactory. Capt. Evans told his story
in a blunt straightforward sailor fashion,
and all Of Mr.. Shllington's tact failed to
shake it in any particular. The other tes-
timony was less important.