The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1908-11-23
| WAS LURED BY
HIS GL|7TER|NG
UNIFORM
MRS. CLAUDIA HAMS.
WIFE OF ARMY OFFICER TELLS
OF HER TRAGIC LlFE-HER IN
PRODUCTION TO COCKTAILS
AND CIGARETTES.
MRS. CLAUDIA HAMS.

NEW YORK, Nov. 2s.-Mrs. Claudia
Libbey Hams, wife of Captain Peter
Canover Hams. the dashing army
officer; has written for the Amer
lean an article In which she pictures
wildly her romantic courtship with
young Hams; how she was attracteA
by his dazzling uniform and tells OF
the events that led her to participate
In gay AFFAIRS after their marriage.
Capt. Hams Is now under arrest for
the killing OF VIM. Il. Annis. the rich
clubman.
Here Is Mrs. Hams graphic story:
Il grew up from a very young child
In the little town OF Winthrop, where
SO much happiness and misery was In
store for me when l reached woman
hood. I was a child with my hair
hanging In two braids to my waist and
in short skirts when l first saw the
handsome and dashing young officer
from Fort Banks. Lieutenant Hams.
Passing the fort every day on the
way to and from school l often I'D
mired a large green sofa pillow seen
In the window OF his quarters and to
myself expressed a wish to become
It's owner, which was granted few
years later.
II was introduced TO this soldier
with the broad stripes on his trousers
broader than the regulations allow
ed-and, like most young girls. was
dazzled by SO much military splendor.
forgot TO mention the occasion on
which | first met Mr.. Hams. II was
at one of a series OF dances given In
the town. My mother was one Of the
matrons OF these dances-costume az.
| fairs, as | remember them-and l ap-
peared, to my great delight, In my
mothers wedding gown and. for the
first time, with my hair high on my
head, making me feel quite woman
grown.
Il was quite elated over my intro
duction TO Mr.. Hams, but was unable
to carry on conversation with him
partly on account Of the twelve years
difference In ages and his being 3
stranger To the Winthropites. But he
was beautiful dancer, and what mat
tered the conversation to me, a young
girl of sixteen, just entering high
school? l was more taken up with the
Joy OF living than with the serious
side or life.
HE asked to call at my home, bu
my mother objected. Determined h
call, just the same. he finally over
came objections and offered to gfvs
me fencing lessons. I took him NJ
on the offer, and he came faithfully
on Wednesdays and Saturdays to my
home. These lessons we're. however
rather unsuccessful, especially after
he put the idea OF marriage into my
young head.
That seemed to be the best fur
ever--to get married to that beautiful
uniform and live In a pretty little
home OF my own. So | made up my
mind to get married, and, after many
objections, won my parents consent
School and fencing Immediately van
ished from my horizon, and l was
joined in wedlock to my soldier In my
dear old fashioned Winthrop home
stead on the night OF April 80, 1900
by Mr.. Garden. the Episcopal rector
OF the town.
ut was In my new home that was
initiated into the third degree oil
army life. Peters first step towards
the completion Of my education was
my Introduction to the sedutive charm
of various cocktails and soothing ef
fects OF the lady-like cigarette.
| 1.-The first drink i remember having
taken was a cocktail. the effects Of
which he loved to watch on the unsus
pecting. Such was the beginning o.
my new education"