Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-17
MRS. HAMS LEAVES HOME:
MAY BE ON WAY SOUTH

BOSTON. August 17.-Mrs. Peter Con-
over Hams, jr., whose husband. Capt.
Hams, is suing her for divorce. and she
whose account Capt. Hams is said to have
shot William E. Annis at the Bayside
Yacht Club. left Winthrop for New York
with her mother Saturday night.
It is understood that Mrs. Hams object
in going to New York was to obtain pos
session of her three children, who are
now said to be living with Capt. Hams
parents at Fort Hancock
Mrs. Hams is thought to have been sue
cessful in gaining possession Of the chill
dren and to be on her way back to Win
throp with them.
May Be on Way South.
WINTHROP, Mass, August 17.-Mrs.
Claudia Lfbbey Hams, who has been at her
parents house, 81 Crest avenue, for near
ly three months, disappeared so effectual-
ly within q short time after the receipt Of
the news of the shooting Of Annis by her
husband that the most determined search
Saturday evening and Sunday failed to
yield any clue to her whereabouts.
1t has become known that she and her
mother had gone to New York. Her
father. Charles H. Libbey. has admitted
the fact, and explained It on the ground
OF the disinclfnation Of his daughter to
become the object OF raid Of newspaper
men all day Sunday. He said that his
daughter. accompanied by her mother.
left home before IL o'clock Saturday and
departed for New York on the midnight
train with the intention Of remaining
away from Winthrop until public interest
In the shooting wears off,
He tntimated that his wife and daugh-
ter are not likely to remain in New York,
but Will probably travel farther south,
and perhaps return eventually by sea
aIter having resorted to every feasible
EFFORT to divert their minds
Everywhere about town where the trae-
edy was discussed only sympathy was ex-
pressed for Mrs. Hams. who was popular
here as girl and noted for her frank and
happy disposition and sociable nature.
Al VINO ever knew her have something
peasant to say Of her.
He~ husband, who was we'll known in
the social set OF the community. was not
noted as a ladies' man at all while here.
Mrs. Hams Story.
Mrs. Hams has most emphaticallv
denied that the homicide was justified
by any misconduct Of hers and declares
that Capt. Hams brother has always
been her enemy. She intimated that II
driven too far she would reveal startling
facts about orgies in the United States
Army.
At her parents home in Boston Mrs.
Halns gave out the following interview
There Is absolutely no ground for the
charges which my husband has brought
against me. The real truth Of the mat
ter Is that he was tired of me. He
wants some other wife. My life with
him has been one continuous torture. It
for my children.
Eight years ago. while Peter Hams
was a lieutenant at Fort Banks, I met
him. was then sixteen years Of age
military surroundings was foolish
then. I really thought that I was in
love with him and I asked my mothers
permission to marry him.
My mother refused to allow it and
we were going to elope. Then mother
consented and we were married here.
II wish to deny the story that the
wedding was secret; 1t was not. All of
our intimate friends and relatives were
present.
Doll House Topples Over.
For one year I enjoyed my married
life. Then the dolls house toppled over
and found things as they really were.
My husband never defended me or my
children. 1t is not so much for myself
that I care. it is for the three little
children who are growing up.
1.-THE man who has been named by my
husband in the suit is a New Yorker
with a spotless reputation. He is
wealthy and one of the foremost in
surance men OF New York While my
husband was gone-and when my hus-
band was at home. too-the man named
in the suit took me out autoing. Every
time we were accompanied by officers
in the post and their wives. The man
was always welcome at our home and
he was treated as one Of the family.
He Is a dear friend of my husbands.
ION May 20 my husband came to my
home at Fortress Monroe in rage. He
ordered me to my room and then ac-
that I was faithless. He lied. am
innocent Of all the charges. I never
did anything wrong. There Is not one
atom of truth in the story on which
my husband bases his suit
For years my husband has tried to get
rid of me; now 1 hope that he accom-
plishes his aim. I have brought a cross
suit against him. I want my three little
boys. I want to bring them up properly.
NV husband ordered me out OF his house
that night. He then summoned his father
and the man he named in the suit He
cursed that man. Saturday night ne left
and returned Sunday morning he gave
orders to my maid that no one should be
DernltteQ 10 see Ile.
Forced to Sign Document.
ION the evening Of June 1 his father
and brother came with him to my rooms.
There remember was forced to sign
some document. I do not know what 1t
was, and it Is all I know. The nexe
morning I recovered consciousness and
found myself on the floor Of my room. l
was a nervous wreck. DR.. William VIII
son. the surgeon at the fort, was called.
and he treated me"
Mrs Hams statement that the CORE
spondent named was a wealthy insurance
man does not fit Annis. Annis was
publisher, and also a writer. He was
the only son Of Mrs. Sarah P. Annis.
who lived for a number OF years IN
Amity street. Flushing. He was a strik-
ingly handsome young man, ana iona
of sports. He had done considerable work
with Dan Beard the artist.
enthusiastic yachtsman. He had consid-
srable wealth. and was the publisher and
owner Of more than one magazine.
He was educated in Flushing High
School. At the time Of the bicycle FAD ne
won the championship of Long Island:
Eight years ago he married MISS Won
Hunerbein Of Astoria. L. l. His bride was
q handsome young woman: noted Tor
her great size and powerful physique. An
mis- moved to Bayside this summer.
Annis' sister, Gertrude, who Is a re-
markedly attractive young woman. was
married to DR.. Frederick Mersheimer
who had one of the finest homes on
Little Neck bay. not far from the trag-
edy of Saturday.
Mrs. Hams Sees Children.
cANnv IJO0K NJ Au~usf 17-Mrs