The Washington times., 1908-08-23
Captains Wife Has Not
Agreed TO Testify for Him
in Murder Trial.
SIDES DENY
COMPROMISE STORY
Indications Now That Case of
Annis' Slayers Will Be Tried
in November.

NEW YORK. Aug. 22.-Mrs. Hams.
despite many reports u the contrary,
has made no overUures to the defense
TO aid her husband, Capt. Peter c.
Hams, IT., who is shortly TO be tried
for the murder of William f. Annis.
Statements puTpoTting TO have come
from the Boston attorney OF Mrs Hams
Frederick J.. Norton, rejecting the at
titude of his client, have been made
without the authority OF her counsel
Denials came from both sides today
that any offer had been made by Mrs.
Hams or that negotiations had been
entered into between opposing counsel.
There has been no discussion of terms,
it is said. Mr.. Norton was seen in
Boston this morning and he there de-
MED that Mrs. Hams had either offered
TO aid her husband or that she had been
asked TO.
A denial also came from Joseph A
Shay Of counsel for the defense.
Mr.. Norton also made an unqualified
denial OF the charge that Mrs Hams
had been guilty Of any acts OF impro-
priety and said that she had remained
faithful 10 her husband. There is a
prospect that an extended statement Of
her side of the affair may be made
within a few days.
District Attorney Busy.
District Attorney Darrin has been
spending much of his time examining
witnesses at the Bayside Yacht Club
and getting their stories into afidavit
form, His attention has been devoted
chiefly 10 obtaining testimony to refute
the statement Of attorneys for the de-
Tense that the brothers did not go TO
the yacht club to look for Annis, but
had another object in view. Frank Ell
Iison, a waiter IN the clubhouse, has
told the district attorney that the
Hainses first approached him and asked
If Annls was at the club.
DR.. Clarence \. Plat. the physician
attached 10 the Queens county jail, is
not of the same opinion as the lawyers
for the defense as to the mental con-
dition Of Captain Hams There Is
nothing wrong with the prisoners ap-
petite. ard he sleeps well. DR.. Plat
thinks his depression is simply due TO
the fact that the captain realizes the
| seriousness of his predicament.
Trial in November.
It is now said that the case may not
come to trial before November. The
district attorney has declared his inten-
ton OF pushing the trial as speedily
as possible. but he declares that Mr..
Mcintyre has intimated he would
rather have it 90 over until later in
the fall
It is thought that after the magis-
trate's hearing, which takes place IN
the Long Island City police court on
Monday, MIS- Hams will make a state
meut which will explain much. Under
the law she cannot testify against her
husband.
one of the matters to be decided be
tween the lawyers for the defense be
fore Monday relates TO the question Of
bail for the prisoners There IS no
doubt that a demand will be made that
Thornton Hams be discharged from
custody on the ground that he was not
the man who did the shooting. There
is little prospect that Thornton Hams
will be admitted to bail.
Major Hams Talks.
Major John P. Hams had this 10 say
about the case today;
while II was the general impression
among friends Of the family that Thorn
ton was of a stronger mentality than
Peter. we who knew them best were
aware that Peter had a mind Of his own,
and could not be easily swerved from a
fixed purpose. He was a man Of strong
| character.
Undoubtedly he became insane over
the revelations that came 10 him Of his
wife's uufalthfulness. We know that
his brother. T. Jenkins Hams. tried to
keep him in restraint, and we can show
that Jenkins had no part in the tragedy.
"As for Peter wife. we feel no Bit
terness toward her. We believe she was
led astray, and if she is inclined TO
come to the aid of her husband. It viii
not be because we have sought TO make
terms with her about the children"
New Facts Brought Out.
Several startling facts. which throw
entirely new light upon important and
material incidents connected with the
| shooting of Annis, were made public to-
/ night by friends Of Mrs. Ann.s. The
new facts are as follows:
That William E. Annis, within a short
| time after the return Of Captain Hams
from the Philippines. in response to his
/ family's advices Of the alleged wrong
/ doing of Mrs. Hams with Annls. at
! tended a conference of the Hams
/ family.
/ At this cOnfereD &c, according to the
/ advices given tonight. the alleged con
! fession" made by Mrs. Hams was pro-
/ dueed and Annis was made acquainted
/ with the contents. Those known to
/ have been present at the meeting, be-
sides Aunis, were Capt. Peter c. Hams.
/ the husband; his brother. Thornton Jen-
/ kins Hams. and Major Peter c. Hams,
| the father.
Annis Denied Guilt.
In relating the account of the con-
! ference afIerward, Annis assured a
l friend that he had convinced all OF the
/ Hainses that he was not the guilty nan.
/ He was even then advised 10 carry a