The Detroit times., 1908-08-20
HAMS, WITH HIS
BROTHER, BLAMED
IN VERDICT
CoRoNER's JURY, AFTER % MIN
uTEs' RETIREMENT, PLACES
RESPONSIBILITY FOR DEATH
OF w. e. ANNIs AT BAYsIpE.

and abetted by his brother, Thornton
Jenkins Hams, was the verdict Of the
coroners jury In the Bayside. l. l..
tragedy case, brought in 22 minutes
after the jury had retired.
mere was a greater crowd than the
little court room in the town hall at
Flushing. L. |. could hold when the
inquest began, and hundreds of men
and women awaited the verdict out
eide, although both the defense and
the prosecution did not consider the
inquest of much importance since
Capt Hams admits the shooting and
there were many witnesses TO II.
When the jurymen filed into the
room and the foreman announced the
Observation-Disclosures demonstration.
Coroner Amber had to rap with his
gavel and court officers had to caution
the spectators, for an attempt was
made 10 applaud the verdict
In the excitement a crowd gathered
around Thornton Jenkins Hams and
began TO question him as TO the trag-
edy In which he played such an i'm
portant part. He was asked II he
felt justified In holding a crowd at
hay with a revolver while his brother
shot down Annis Before Hams could
reply. John F. Mcintyre. chief coun-
Sci for the brothers. rushed TO his
eide and shouted: mo, no. don't an
swer that question"
In his efforts TO prevent Hams from
answering the lawyer clapped his
hands over his clients mouth and was
probably just in time 10 prevent the
prisoner from committing himself.
ONLY Two Witnesses
Only two witnesses were called.
Charles H. Robert, OF Flushing, who
testified that he was standing on the
club house float when he heard the
report OF a pistol shot and saw Capt.
Hams In a kneeling pos.ti clingins
to the dropping body Of Annis as he
emptied the contents OF his revolver
into 1t, and Coroner's Physician Wal
ter G. Frey. who testified that Annis
came to his death from the bullet
wounds. DR.. Frey said there were
nine initial wounds and IL secondary
wounds, which would indicate that
Capt. Hams fred nine shots.
In cross-examining Robert. Lawyer
Mcintyre asked him IL Capt Hams
had finished shooting when he tried
TO 20 TO hts aid and was stopped by
Thornton Hams, who held revolver
In his face. The witness said that
the shooting had not ceased, and that
he would have had time to interfere
had not Thornton Hams prevented
him.
Mcintyre asked him IL he had not.
ed the expression in Thornton Hams
eyes at the moment. but before the
question could be answered, District
Attorney Darrin objected and was
sustained.
Slayer Shows Emotion.
Prior to his giving his testimony,
Robert was asked TO Identify the
prisoners. When he pointed out Capt.
Hams as the slayer the army officer
put his hands over his face and seem
ed to be greatly excited. This caused
comment in the court, for he has
hitherto remained wholly unperturbed
apparently.
Before going out one of the jury.
men demanded that additional wit
nesses be called, but Coroner Amber
refused to comply and ordered the
jury to decide on verdict. His
charge simply cited the lines to which
the Jurors must confine themselves
In considering the case. There were
about 40 witnesses In the room, but
they we're not needed on the stand.
viii Plead Insanity.
Insanity will be the defense put for
ward on behalf Of Capt. Peter G..
Hams and perhaps Of his brother. T.
Jenkins Hams, when they are put on
trial for the murder OF William K.
Annis, according to statement made
tonight by former Assistant District
Attorney John E. Mcintyre. who was
retained yesterday as chief counsel
for the defense. Either emotional In
sanity will be the plea made for each
of the brothers, OF the defense Will
contend that Capt. Hams was insane
at the time Of the shooting and that
his brother drew a revolver and to all
appearances aided and abetted In the
commission Of the crime for the sole
purpose of protecting his brother.
\ NEW YORK, Aug. 19.-The body Of
w. e. Annis, who was shot and killed
by Capt. p. c. Hams, U. s. A., at the
Bayside Yacht club, on Saturday last
was removed from his home at No.
Al Claremont-ave., Flushing, at 10
o'clock today and inferred In St.
Michaels cemetery, Astoria. A large
-assemblage of friends OF the family
went to the cemetery. The pallbear-
eTS were F1dTNcy ". rNoOhWtii, w III II.
Johns, Otto Koenig. Louis Harway,
Archibald Nesbit and G. A. Birchfield,
most Of whom Witnessed the tragedy
at the Bayside Yacht club on Satur-
day.
More than 20 members OF the yacht
club followed the remains to the GEM
etery.
The scene at the graveside was
dramatic and affecting. Mrs. Annis,
with her two children, her mother and
Mrs. Sarah Annis, mother Of the dead
man, we're driven to the cemetery
from their home, No. AZ Claremont-
ave.
Widow Becomes Hysterieai.
At the edge OF the grave the casket
was opened. Mrs. Annis and her two
children approached for a last look
y, ct the face Of her husband. The Wild
ow. overcome by emotion, threw her
self on the casket, kissing her hus-
bands face repeatedly and crying:
"Oh, Will, how can | bear e? II
can't be true that You are gone"
She wept convulsivcly, calling re-