The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1908-12-14

NEW YORK, Dec. 1A.-For the sec
ond time in his life Thornton Jenkins
Hams. the writer Of magazine stories.
today faced trial for his life.
Nearly eighteen years ago. when he
was just out OF college. he shot and
killed Edward A. Hannigan. bis former
friend, as the two OF them rowsd In Q
skin of Fortress Monroe. For this
killing he stood trial and was acauit-
ted, after one Of the bitterest fights In
the history OF Virginia law courts.
On Aug. Is last. at the landing OF
the Bayside Yacnt club. he stood by
with a drawn revolver while his
brother. Captain Peter c. Hams. Jr.. OF
the United States army, shot the life
out OF william K. Annis. a magazine
publisher. and for his share In this he
was brought to the bar In the old town
hall at Flushing this morning. under
the charge OF murder In the hrst de-
gree. as an accessory.
His lawyers assert, with seeming
confidence, that he will be acquitted
this time, Just as he was down In Vfr-
ginia In the fall Of 1891.
II was announced beforehand that
all OF the sewer-like flood OF besmirch.
ment and intrigue that will come Out
at the trial OF Captain Hains. which
follows this one, Is to be kept out OF
the present case.
Question Of Fact.
So far as the trial which began to-
day Is concerned, II Is merely q Ques-
ton OF fact involved. What the jury
will be called on to decide 10 whether
T. Jenkins Hsins had knowledge OF
what his brother was about 70 40
when they drove to Bayside together,
on the fifteenth OF last August. whetn-
er he counselled and abetted the crime.
and whether. by his actions. he kept
bystanders from saving. or attempting
to save. the victim from Peter Rams
automatic revolver.
So Widespread Is the popular inter
est in the case. and SO well has every
phase Of 1t been exploited that the
Flushing town hall, where Supreme
Court Justice Crane, the trial judge
sits, swarmed with strangers and towh-
folk long before the weather-beaten
doors swung open today.
Among the first to arrive were Gen.
Peter Conover Hams, u. 8. A. retired.
the aged father Of the accused broth
ers. and his two sons. Maj. John Hams,
OF the army. and William Hams, OF
Chicago. With them we're the lawyers
who will conduct the defense. John r.
Mcintyre. former assistant district at
torney OF New York county, and 10
seph A. Shay, his partner. This party
took seats inside the railing. across
the room from where the representa-
tives Of the prosecution sat-Distrlct
Attorney Darrin and Elmer 8. White,
Brooklyn lawyer specially engaged
to carry the burden Of the prosecution.
Prisoner Arrlver.
Handcuffed to Under Sheriff John
NJ. Phillips, Thornton Jenkins Hams
arrived at the old Queens county court
house I'm Broadway, Flushing, at 1880
o'clock precisely.
The prisoner had been brought from
the county prison In Long Island CITY.
Accompanying the under sherin as
snecial guard was Warden Frank De
bragg An immense crowd was on
hand In front of the circuit court build
ing TO have q look at the celebrated
murder defendant. Warden De Bragg
i
had 10 literally fight his way through
the throng and up the high. old-fash-
Toned stone stairway to the front en-
trance.
Justice Crane has said this case
must go to the jury before the new
year. because with its coming the term
OF office of District Attorney Darrin ex
hires. SO II became evident from the
first thai no time would be lost In USE
less formalities. Court Is to sit late
every day and on Saturdays. and II
necessary night sessions will be held.
The talesmen in waiting were about
evenly divided between Long Island
truck farmers. well-dressed commuters
and tradespeople of Long Island City
and Flushing. II Is expected several
DAYS will be taken In getting jury
through the unwillingness OF men 10
serve in Christmas week, but once the
Jury box holds IL acceptable men the
trial will go forward rapidly.