New-York tribune., 1908-12-30
HAMS "CONFESSION" In
WHAT WIFE TOLD SLAYER,
Witness Says Captain 4cted IRA
ti0RaHy When Rec0unting 1t.


ants say so affected Captain Hams that ne De-
came mentally unbalanced.
Samuel Chester Reid, of Chicago, a friend OF the
Hams family swore that Captain Hams told him
Of all his marital misforunes, and that the captain
showed signs of being irrational.
Before the close of the days session the defence
called to the stand a negro servant in captain
Eains's household. Minnie Rhone, who related GER
tain alleged incidents which Mrs. Claudia Hams
and William E Annis figured at the Hams home
while Captain Hams was in the Philippines
These incidents. the witness said she told the
captain on his return. She was still under exam
ination when court adjourned for the day. She said
that Mrs. Hains had declared her affection for
Annis and Of alleged orgies at the Hams home
a Fort Hamilton.
Mr. Reid is the son OF Rear Admiral S. C. Reid,
L S N and a brother of Princess Rospigosi OF
Rome He is a grandson of S. c. Reid, who ccm-
manded the privateer Armstrong in the battle OF
Fayal in the Azores
Mr. Reid said he was intimate friend Of both
brothers Upon his return from Spain he visited
Thornton Hams in Bay Ridge. June 25.
Thornton said me-" said the witness, that
he had been under a severe strain; that he was
taking care of Connie Captain Hains). 1 re-
manned in Thorntons home from June 25 70 July TO-
Captain Hams said to me, / suppose you have
heard of my trouble? My life has been ruined.
There is no longer anything to live for wish
were dead On the transport I received mail that
unnerved me- and asked my commanding officer
for permission to return home l hadn't even time
to make up my accounts. I told him IT wasn't
a military matter. but something that concerned
the honor Of gentleman. didn't sleep on the
return trip.
when I got to the fort Claudia met me ar-
fectionately and asked why l returned. I said:
"'' why. Claudia, your reputation is at stake. l
have returned to stand at your side. Where is
Annis?" Claudia at first appeared surprised
'.INFIDELITY NO JUSTIFICATION"
The Court hesltated about permitting such testi-
mony when the District Attorney objected, it
did not to this point, in any way tend to prove
irrationality. Mr.. Mcintyre promised TO bring the
conversation clearly within the ruling that CONVEX
satons tending show insanity will be admitted.
But bear this IN mind" said the Court fnfideiU
cannot be proved. It is no justification for muir
DER
I asked Claudia II she didn't want to have An.
dinner the witness testified Captain Hams
continued - Z want the world 10 know that do
credit the rImors about you and Anns-' The
next day Claudia said me 1t true that she
loved Billy Annis. and then she told all. She
confessed what had happened, that she loved
Billy Annis and not me. 1t was only the night
before that she had caressed me- He was pacing
up and down. with mouth set and muscles twitch-
ing" said Mr.. Reid. He acted rational'--
Il object. That is conclusion" said Mr.. White.
the District Attorneys counsel.
do you want to strike out that Captain
Hains acted very rationale - asked the Court.
No conclusions should in, your honor"
said White.
I'll strike ii out on your objection said the
Court
live through thisP said Captain Hains' the wit
ness continued. "and Thornton said: Don't give
way, Connie buck up Captain Hams sang and
recited lines from the Vampire. He walked with
about my shoulders. After retired at
8 a. m Captain Hams passed through my room
and paced the porch till breakfast time. When he
told Of the confession he wrAng his hands and
looked wild. He said he asked Claudia why she
loved Anns, and she said: oh. I don't know. L
just love him Captain Hains's eyes were like
those of a wild animal when he told me this"
Under cross-examinat!nn the witness said he con-
sidered Captain Hams irrational.
Mr.. Reid said Hams told him his wife spoke to
him of Adirondack trip with cousin His
father later said 10 him, Connie. will have
find out If your wife with her cousin in the
kdrondacks for week. she said. II she
il is a bad business Then he returned home
and said his wife:
"'"Claudia, how did you go to the Adirondacks?"
and she replied:
Nov, we've settled all that If you are going
TO bring all that up again might well part"
g And when I told her father that 1 would go 0
the place she mentioned ascertain If it were all
right, she begged me not TO do so. saying, You
must choose between your curiosity and me. If
you go, all must be between u.s. And when
I told her I would keep my promise to my father
go, she said, 1t is all I love Billy An
mis-"
MET ANNIs FREQUENTLY:
And then she went and told the whole
business. She related detail how she had met
Annis frequently and that while she was supposed
be IN the Adirondacks she recovering from
operation in New York. We talked for hours
that night, during which she told all I asked
her how she could let me ask Annis to dinner. The
following morning father came down and my wife
made a statement in the presence of the family.
The witness denied that either Captain Hams
the defendant told him Thornton had written to
his brother in Sar Francisco about Mrs. Claudia
Hams
when father arrived said Captain Hams to
me- Claudia told him, in the presence of myself
and Thornton, what she had related to the
night previous. Then out for Lawyer Ben
nett, and she repeated all Of it and swore to the
statement before the lawyer
Did Captain Hams tell your asked District At
torney Darrin that the divorce papers served
by Thornton Hains upon Mrs. Claudia Hams the
very day following the alleged confession?'
He did not" said Mr.. Reid. The District Attor-
ney sought TO show that the divorce had been
templated before May 81 the day of the alleged
confession. In this he was not successful
Minnie and Emma, coored servants" said the
witness. said by the captain to have
lated to him some of his Wifes misdonGs'
Did Captain Hams express any animosty against
William E. Annis?" asked District Attorney DaTrin
He said 'Annis has ruined my home and if
there is God in heaven he will be punished re
piled the witness.
what did Thornton Hains say during your con-
versation with Captain Hans?' asked District At
torney Darrin.
TRIED TO DIVERT BROTHERS MIND.
Thornton said, I've been trying TO divert Con-
| MES mind lie mustn't talk too much about it.
! l doubt IL he can stand the strain unless the di-
vorce case is pushed along. 1t is a shame that
| Annis ruined Comics life. His name should be
disclosed but his attorney said 1t would be mex
! pedent.' "
! The negro servant was then called. She said she
told CAPTAIN Hams the night ne returned home
! about the alleged happenings in his absence when
told that Captain Hains, the witness said. he