New-York tribune., 1909-05-04
HAMS MAIDS ON STAND
TELL OF WIFE"S CONDUCT.
One Intimates She Vas Jealous Of
Her-Other Heard "COnfeSsiOn.

Lille Sawyer. a negro maid who was at one time
in the employ of Captain Peter c. Hains. jr' was
the principal witness yesterday in the battle BENG
waged by his attorneys for his life. Captain Hams
no for the part Sits listessly during his tria
in the Supreme Court. in Flushing, wept during tie
gIls testimony when she intimated that Mrs. Hams
was jealous Of her account of Annis. This the
witness stated, she told, among other things to the
defendant in June.
Il worked for Captain Hains from some time in
September until December 81 1907, said the wit
ness. When Captain Hains returned I saw him
in the home of Mr.. Thornton, to whose house l
went 20 see another girl. Minnie Rohne tanother
maidJ, Captain Hains and Mr. Tho:rton were there
! asked by Captain Hains If knew Mr.. Annis
and Mr. Thornton laughed"
What did you tell Captain Hains?" asked Mr.
Mcintyre. and Justice Garretson allowed the an
in spite of the objection of District Attorney
De Witt.
u told Captain Hams that his wife and Mr. An
mis- had frequently become intoxicated in her room
and that they had sent me out for more whis-
key. And l told him now Mrs Hams wanted to
pick fuss with me, she could discharge me on
account of Mr.. Annis"
How did Captain Hams greet you?" asked Dis
trict Attorney De Witt when he began his cross
examination
He said, Hello, Lii, and shook hands with me;
yes. sir said the girl.
Why did Mrs Hams discharge you was there
quanel?' asked the District Attorney.
NO. There quarrel; just words.
She wanted me to do some things l wouldn't do,
and l left"
Minnie Rohne testified earlier in the day that she
heard the first or verbal confession made by Mrs.
Hams to her husband. She said Captain Hains
rived home about o'clock Sunday morning.
and that shortly af erward she heard them talking
in their bedroom, the doors of both rooms being
open.
AT o'clock she began her confession said the
witness. Il listened until o'clock and then l left
my bed. put on wrapper and went out in the hall
stayed there half an hour listening and then
stepped inside their room
DO YOU mean you entered their bedroom?' de
manded the District Attorney.
Yes, sir. l stepped in. Mrs. Hains in bed,
but Captain Hains walking up and down. She
was talking, but kept her eyes closed most Of the
time They didn't speak to me, but I spoke to
Captain Hams He was moaning"
How long did you stay in the room with the
captain and mis- wife," she was asked.
About half hour. Yes. sir, it was o'clock
when I went back to my room"
The District Attorney cross-examined her as to
the time, how she fixed it and how she knew the
exact hour the alleged confession began. She said
she had clock on a table beside her bed and
electric light that she could turn on easily
When Major Hams resumed the stand at the
opening OF court, District Attorney De Witt asked:
Did your brother eyeglasses when YOU
met him after his return from the PhHippines?'
AS l remember, he carried them, but did not
have them at the time" replied the witness.
Was it his custom to them?'
He them off and on"
DO you knoY when he stopped wearing gasses?'
i don't know that he has stopped wearing
them,' the major replied.
II is contended by the prosecution that Captain
Hams stopped wearing glasses since the shooting.
His nearsishtedness. it is said. accounts in man
for the peculiar stare which has been referred
to by witnesses for the defence.
Emma Lavcile who employed in Captain
Hains's home during Iso7 and ZOOS, said she first
Captain Hains with his brother Thornton at
Fort Hamilton In June, 1905.
Il said Thornton" the witness testified. that
and Thornton said, Yes. and you to tell me
l saw Nj. Annis in Captain Hains's home. with his
tinued the witness. and when Mrs. Hans
she said. Emma. this IS my affinity
other witnesses examined were several army
men, including Major Timothy d. keleher. OF Chi
cago: Robert {. sutton OF New York, Corporal
Edward Simpson. Of Fort Hamilton; First Ser
Eeaut Arthur ". Johnson. of Fort Hamilton and
John McMulIen. a plumber in the governments en-
ploy All considered the acts and words of Captain
Hams last summer irrational. The captain laid a
package on the desk beside McNIullcn telling him
il was for him. the witness testified. He opened II
and found a handsome lace parasol-
What did you do with it, asked the District
Attorney
Il took il home" replied the plumber
Mrs Annis was i'm Flushing yesterday morning.
but did not 90 to She VIII be on hand when
the state begins its rebuttaL