The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-12-29
Story of Marital Troubles OF
Captain Hams
Comes Out in Trial Of His
Brother for Murder.
Is TOLD BY WITNESS
Who Relates a Conversation
With Peter C. Hams Jr.
Admitted by Court as Bearing
on Mental Condition.

Flushing, n. Y, Dec. 29-The martial
troubles Of Captain Peter c. Hains. jr.
and his story of the estrangement with
his wife, Claudia Hams, came out in
the trial of Thornton J. Hams today,
when Samuel c. Reid, a government
building inspector at North Chicago. re-
| lated conversations he had last June
| with Captain Hains. making known the
causes that led to the separation of the
captain and his wife. The. testimony of
what Captain Hams said was permitted
by Justice Crane as having a bearing
on the mental condition of the army
officer at that time.
Mr.. Reid stated that Captain Hains
told him that his wife had confessed
she loved Annis. Captain Hams
evinced signs of great mental distress
in. the narration of his troubles, the
witness said
Mr. Reid is said by counsel for the
defense to be a brother of Princess
Rospiglosi of Rome and comes from
Kentucky. He is a grandson of s. @.
Reid, who commanded the privateer
General Armstrong in the battle at
Fayal. Azores, during the war of 1872.
Just before the morning session was
called Mrs. William E. Annis and Mrs.
Charles J. Birchfield took seats within
the rail. Mr.. Mcintyre objected to the
presence of the states witnesses and
Justice Crane said that while he did
not Sc the necessity of it he would en-
force the rule and exclude the witnesses
for both sides, but would not exvlude
General Hams, who was aiding the
counsel in the case.
The cross examinatfo nof Tirney,
the garbage collector, who testified
yesterday for the defense was resum-
ed The witness could not recall the
names of those to- whom he told, his
story on the night of the shooting.
Prosecutor White then called all the
states eye witnesses to the tragedy
and lined them up to the rail. Ques-
toned by the prosecutor, Tirney iden-
titled those whom he saw on the
float
Tirney said he did not see Arthur
Andrews, DR.. Mcbride, Mr.. Stephens
that Harvey Rockwell was on the
float. Rockwell has testified that he
was not near the float when the shoot
ing took place. Tirney testified that he
did not see Mrs. Annis on the float.
Reid's Testimony.
Samuel c.. Reid, building inspector
of the United States training station
at North Chicago, was called. He
knew the Hains brothers from
childhood. Mr.. Reid said he called
him that he was looking after
Peter The witness related a con-
versation he had with Captain Hams
who the witness said. used such ex-
preSS1OnS as My life Is ruined ana L
wish I was dead" --.-
Captain Hams. Mr.. Reid said, OBJ
tanned leave of absence at San Fran
cisco and came home. Mr.. Reid said:
Captain Hams said he went to FIT.
Hamilton and found his wife, who
wanted to know why he had returned
home. .-.-l.
'''Why Claudia, your reputation is
at stake. 1 have come from the ut
ter ends of the world to save you. I
- I, ,sef
The captain said that his wife told
him that the gossip was ridiculous"
Mr. Reid said that the captain
stated that he invited Annis to din
ner to show that he did not believe
the gossip. Witness said that Captain
Hams said his father told him there
were things to be investigated and
that he, Captain Hams, again spoke
to his wife and she replied:
'I do love Billy Annis.
Mr. Reid further testified:
''The captain said that his wife then
told him ALL that she loved Billy
Annis and not him.
d" I could not understand it, said Cap
tain Hams. The night before she gave
me her caresses and told me that it
was not So
Mr. Reid described Captain Hams
appearance.
Witness said that Captain Hams fire.
quently expressed desire to die and
said that Thornton Hams had been so
good to him. Mr.. Reid said that the
captain sighed, moaned and quoted
from Kipling's Vampire and said he
never understood the poem before, but
did now
Mr.. Reid testified;
Captain Hams wanted to know what
he had done to deserve such cruel
treatment, and why Claudia, whom he
had married when she was a child,
could look him in the face and say, /
don't love you.
The witness on cross-examination said
he thought Captain Hams irrational
Mr.. Reid said the captain told him that
he had received letters from MS wife,
saying that there was a scandal going