Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1908-08-19
The tfalns Affair,

NcN 1Olhg haHs
every officer in the U.S.army was rallied
to the defense of Capt. Peter O. Hsins,
the slayer of w. E Annis, today, by the
publication of story OF Mrs. Hams, In
counter charge of her husbands divorce
proceedings, which bad depicted con-
ditioDs in army circles which, ifproven to
exist, lwould result in a scandal second
only to the disgrsceful state OF affairs
among the "Knights Of the Round
Table," the German army's infamous
cotsrie.
The published story Of Mrs. Hams
charges accuses the young srmy officer OF
the unmentionaole crime which toppled
Count IN Euleuberg from bis pedestal
in the German court and alleges that
such conduct was Common among army
officers OF her husbands acquaintance
here, and indignant denials were forth
coming on every side, but there seems
no way Of heading off an inevitable sem
sltion.
Army officers declare that even though
the charges In the newspaper stories are
ignored by the government, which Ia
not considered likely, they themselves
will demand an investigation.
The exact text OF the army captains
wife's allegations has not yet become
public, the only information regarding
It being contained In an interview with
her father, in which he is quoted as stat
ing that the papers contained probably
the most startling statement are those
in which Captain Hams is accused OF
misconduct even while on his wedding
tour, and another instance when bis
wife is said to have found Capt. Hams
in the quarters Of an army officer at
Fortress Monroe In a situatien which
1t is impossible to relate. The wife is
said to have further charge that her bus
band mistreated her In an unnatural
manner while on their honeymoon.
Service of the papers in which Mrs.
Hams made her sensational charges was
made on Captain Hams week ago last
Monday.
It is said that it was T. J.Hsines, who
instilled into his brothers. mind the idea
that his wife's accusations of depravity
mad been prompted by Annis and who
urged the killing in which he subse-
quently aided.
Both Mrs. Hams and her father, after
Hams had charged that his wife Was in
timste not only with Annis, but with
other men st New York hotels, and with
enlisted men at Fort Hamilton, decided
that the wife would take the stand aud
tell in public Of the doings of Captain
Hams and of the alleged depravities
practised in army circles at Fort Hamil-
ton and Fortress Monroe. That these
matters will all come out In the trial Of
the Hams brothers now seems certain.
Mrs Haines is determined TO tell her
story whether it occasions scandal in
the army or not.
Rumors that the Hams brothers had
repsnted their attitude Of desiring vindi-
cation aud were medltsting an escape
from the himsy LoIg Island City jail in
which they are confined has led today tc
the placing of extra guards over them.
Both General Hams and brother o.
the prisoners, Major John Powell Hams.
OF Chicago, are here today, as is also K.
P. Hams, of Boston, an uncle OF the
slayers. All are men OF means and are
standing solidly behind the men whit
killed Annis. There will be no lack o.
means for the defense. And while fatheI
brother and uncle of the Hams brothers
are here fighting their battle out tr
Sandy Hook, at Fort Hancock, the agec
mother of the slayer and his children
are under guard to prevent the intrusion
OF unwelcome visitors upon the grief o.
the aged woman.
The commanding officer at the for
placed the guard this morning after ao
influx of camera fiends who sought II
snap thechildren and their grandmother.
Coroner Ambler's inquest in the cast
at Flushing town hall tonight will be 6
most perfunctorg affair. He will merely
establish the fact Of the murder and will
not in any way probe the motive or any
of the attendant circumstances.
No ceremonial of a Masonic nature
YVES used at the burial Of Annis today In
, st. MichsePs Episcopal cemetery a
Astoria, nor was there any reference
made to the manner of bis death at the
funeral services at bis former home here
Members OF the Bayside Yacht Olut
amend ID the funeral services, as die
also a few Of the dead mans brother
Mssons.
Apparently alarmed by the storm o
indignation raised in army circles BY
this mornings account in which i
was alleged Mrs. Hams had charged
the grossest immorsliiies and degener
scy against Get in srmy officers, and
her husband in particular, Frederick
L. Norton, attorney for MIS-. Peter O.
Hams, it,, today denied that the papers
filed by his client in answer 10 her bus
bands divorce suit cont lined any state
msut to warrant the sensational charges
printed. "Mrs. Hams answer" SAID
Norton, was only general. 1t asked
not for an absolute divorce, but for
separation on the ground Of cruel and
inhuman treatment. We did not state
the times or places at which the treat
ment complained of occurred; but thai
is not saying that he have not record
aud proofs which will be used when
our case comes before the court"
Attorney Norten said, however, thst
the conduct mentioned in his clients an
swer occurred principally while Hsins
and bis wife were at Fort Hamilton.
"For the published statement thsl
Hams was found by his wife In tn
room of a brother officer under com
promising circumstances and other de