Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-04
TALKS IN SNAPPY MANNER
Relates Marital Misfortunes of His
Brother.
CONDITION OF THE CAPTAIN
Father Of the Defendant Also Un-
der Examination Today-Speaks
of Other Son.

FLUSHING. N. Y. January 4.-Thorn-
ton jenkins Hams took the witness stand
today in his own defense Of the charge
that he was a principal, with his brother.
Capt. Peter c. Hams. jr., In the killing
of William E. Annis. In a snappy man.
ner, he related. under counsers interro-
cations. the story Of his life and Capt.
Hams marital misfortunes that led to
the Staying Of Annis. Sometimes the de-
fendant made his answer before the dis
trict attorney could enter objections to
the line of interrogation.
When recess was taken he had told of
the sudden appearance Of Capt. Hams In
his home on the Sunday in May, and of
the excitement that the captain was labor
ing under because OF what his wife had
told him concerning Annis
The early part of the morning session
was occupied with the conclusion of the
cross-examination of Gen. Peter c. Hams.
who declared that the mental condition of
Capt. Hams showed Improvement from
May 81 to August II, when he was served
with his wife's cross bill to the suit for
q divorce. The general declared that the
cross bill contained such charges against
Capt. Hams that his mind was again
shocked and tntIe was l~-,r.-....-.,.-
mental weakness.
Gen. Hams Resumes.
Resuming the stand this morning for
further cross-examination. Gen. Hams
said he believed his son. Capt. Hams. be-
came irrational on May 81. when he heard
the confession Of his wife. He said that
in his opinion the captain for weeks sub
sequent to the confessional was ira
tional.
District Attorney Darrn directed the
witness to describe the appearance Of
Capt. Hams at various times after the
shooting, thereby covering in greater de-
tail the same character of testimony de-
veioped by Gen. Hams in his direct ex-
animation.
Gen. Hams declared he believed his sons
mental condition showed constant i'm
provement from the time Of the confession
up'to August IL. when he was served with
the cross-bill in answer to his suit for a
divorce. The general said he was present
when his son was served with his wife's
cross-bill which made certain allegations
against her husband
Gen. Hams said:
MY son read the cross-bill and said,
Ny God! 1 have been charged now with
having forced my wife to do wrongful
things. I expected almost any charge, but
never such a charge as this. To what
infamy has that man dragged my wife"
Il told the captain that regarded it as
a case of blackmail."
District Attorney Darwin asked Gen.
Hams If he was aware that, following
the service Of the cross bill, Capt. Hams
made an affidavit to his attorney in an
swer to the charges made by his wife.
Gen. Hams said he knew nothing OF the
affidavit.
Under Brothers. Care.
Because Of Capt. Hams mental condi-
ton Gen. Hams said he was "apprehen-
sive Of almost anything happening" and
had placed his son under the care of his
brother, Thornton Hams.
Gen. Hams did not know whether or
not Capt Hams had consulted physi-
clan with regard to his physical or men
tai condition between May 81 and August
IL Of last year.
On redirect examination Gen. Hams de-
clared that when Capt. Hams read GER
tain sections of his wife's answer to the
suit for divorce the captain said:
"Annis caused that to be put in: my
wife would never have thought Of such
a thing"
Gen Hams said that a DIR. Wilson at
tended Capt. Hams on the day OF his
wife's confession and gave him sleep
ing powder.
Gen. Hams identified a letter which he
saw In the possession of Capt. Hams June
l. The letter was from Claudia Hams
confession. The general said that Thorn
ton Hams was present when he read the
letter in the presence Of Capt. Hams.
What did Thornton say?'
HE wanted to know If Annis had been
here today. replied that he had, earlier
in the day Thornton said to me: L have
been keeping Connie for fear he might
meet Annis.'"
Gen. Hams described Capt Hams ap-
pearance when the letter was read to
him.
Letter Written to Annis.
Gen. Hams was permitted to state his
knowledge of the contents of the letter.
He said:
LAS recall it. the letter. which
was addressed to William E. Annis, read:
"'Dear Billy: Do not come down. Billy.
It's all over between Peter and me. He
has found out everything. He says for
you to pay me the money from the police
court. as he does not want any trans
".I am going to Boston and will send
you my address. l want to see you.
am almost crazy.
Goodbye.
"'CLAUDIA'
Mr.. Mcintyre then read the letter to
the jury.
Calls Thornton y. Hams.
Gen. Hams said he understood that
Claudia gave Thornton Eains the letter to
mail and that Capt. Hams seized the let
ter and read 1t. The general was excused
and Mr. Mcintyre called out Thornton J.
Hains!'
The defendant left his seat at counsel
table and walked quickly to the witness
stand. Sworn, he took the stand and in
snappy manner he replied to the interro-
cations Of his counsel. Hams said he was
forty-two years old and was born in
Washington, where he obtained the major
part of his education. The defendant
said:
I'm June, 1905 was living at Bay
Ridge, near Fort Hamilton. l saw little
of my brother. he being in the army and
a sailor. A year ago last October he
sailed for the Philippines. l did not see
him again until May 81, 1908.
Awakened by q Crash.
I was awakened by a crash on the
door, continued Thornton Hams. MY
brother rushed into the room crying, I
apologize. / have broken your door,
said to him. What brings you here?' and
raising his hands above his head he cried,
Claudia has told me everything. You
must help me-
"He tore his hair and asked me to
come down to see pa. We went to Fort
Hamilton, where we met Gen. Hams
We were there all day. and L took my