The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1908-12-22
MRS. ANNIS' STORY
OF HUSBAND
KILLING
Victims Widow a Witness in
Hams Trial
PRISONER CEASES TO SMILE
Sea Story Writer Loses composure as
Bereaved Woman Describes
Yacht Club Tragedy

New York, Dec. 22.-Mrs. Helene
p. Annis, wiIow of William Il. Annis,
who was shot to death at the Bayside
Yacht Club on Aug Is by Capt. Peter
c. Hams y S. A., described the MUIR
der yesterday AT the trial of Thornton
jenkins Hams, who is accused OF COM
pliclty In the crime, before Justice
Crane in the Supreme Court at Flush
ing.
Mrs. Annis testimony gave the first
evidence charging the accused writer
with having paved the way for the
crime, as well as having frustrated
efforts to prevent IT, Incidentally the
witness charged that Jenkins Hams
held her up with his revolver while
her husband was being killed, and
told her she would get the same as
her husband was getting If she moved.
jenkins Hams. who has been con-
fident and smiling most of the time
in the presentation of the case for the
prosecution lost much of his conf
dence and composure yesterday and
began to show signs of uneasiness.
When the widow Of the slain man
stood the ordeal Of cross-examination
without having her testimony materi-
ally shaken, although several times
she was on the point of fainting. the
defendants face lost its color and he
was plainly nervous.
Mrs. Annis testified that jenkins
Hams had beckoned his brother when
to run from the pier to the float had
preceded him and taken his stand TO
ward or interference. had stood them
on. ard had threatened her own life
Although John r. Mcintyre, chief OF
counsel for the defense. eXerted every
resource az his command Mrs Annis
story did not weaken. When the re.
| direct examination Of Mrs Annis had
been concluded by Mr.. DarrIn, Mr..
| Mcintyre asked for an adjournment.
although 10 was still an hour before
the usual TN e. claiming that he was
TOO fatigled 10 continue the case
Mrs Annis took the stand al 3 o.
clock. after two other eye-witnesses
! had testified She was dressed In
black. the sleeves and yoke OF her
gown being Of gauzy material through
| which showed her arms and throat
The witness commanding hgure-she
Is feet tsii and symmetrically pro
| ortioned-topped by widespread
ing picture hat OF black, made a strik.
ing picture
In a clear and distinct tone she
] told Of leaving her home In Manhattan
TO attend the boat races of the Bay.
side Yacht Club. She brought her
two little children. and from the rail
road station took the stage which
carries members and guests To- the
club ON Flushing Bay.
"A cab passed the stage" she said.
II saw Cant Hams I'm 10 and became
| very much excited and worried The
| cab fell back and then saw that
there was another man IN the vehicle
with Capt Hams. did not then
know who he was. but found out later
that Il was Thornton Hams"
In which direction was Capt Hams
looking asked Mr. narrin.
u cannot say because ] became so
/ frightened" she replied.
THE cab followed MS very closely,
she continued. directly behind us.
As we turned into the clubhouse
grounds 70 stopped right behind the
stage. and It's two occupants left IT,.
| ! helped my two little boys out of the
| stage and went to the clubhouse for
moment saw Capt. Hams and
| Thornton Hams there. and saw Eli
| son. the servant. go TO them and ask
what they wanted ! did not hear the
conversation. but heard the name
RickerrFinlay.
] 81 fNtM F.IAH HnnNN
a minute" she resumed when ]
noticed that Cant. Hams and Thorn.
ton Hams had followed right behind
me. Cant Hains took a position ON
the rlghthand side of the gangway
. and Thorton Hams on Che left.
AS ms husband brought his boat
10 the float. J saw the defendant beck
ON To his brother. heard him utter
. some exclamation. and then saw him
. run down the gangWay the Captain
following. The Captain had been
standing 40 The time erect With his
arms folded
"Whcn Thornton uains reached the
float ne turned and faced the pier
his brother reached the corner OF the
float and was in CrOuching position.
cried out to my husband To- Keep
back
Cant rlalns drew a revolver from
his coat pocket and pointed u under
the sail"
what aid YOU see the defendant
do7" asked the Judge, taking the Wit.
ness from Mr. Darrin for the time be.
ing.
Gle went TO the edge Of the float.
faced the crowd and drew his revol.
yer"
r. Jenkins Hams. she said was
about three or four feet from the Cap
tain when the firing began.
"a didn't know at that minute what
the defendant was doing" testified the
Witness. her voice beginning to show
emotion. Hrhe next time ! saw him
was at the second shot, when ] rushed
down the gangway l was almost IN