Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-05
Thornton Tells of Her Grief
Over Her Disgrace.
PLEADED TO BE KILLED
Defendant Declares She Was Under
influence Of Liquor.
HIM
QUESTIONS CONFUSE
Declares He Cannot Remember De.
tails Of Yesterdays Testimony
and Objects to Nagging.

NEW YORK, January 5
Thornton J. Hams today faced the Sc
verest ordeal Of his trial. when. after
concluding his direct examination, he
went under cross-examination.
The defendant was questioned on every
point of his story. which he hopes will
clear him of the charge of being a prin-
cipal with his brother. Capt. Peter c.
Hams, ir.. in the killing of william E.
Annis. Mrs. Annis was in court again
today.
Thornton Hams gave every indication
of confidence in himself today when he
resumed the stand. His high pitched
voice was clear. He employed it with
much dramatic skill I'm answering ques-
tons of counsel
Other than to pass his hand over his
hair once In a while Hams evidenced
no signs of nervousness.
at was Mr.. Roberts" said the witness;
lin fact. I never saw Mr.. Funke or Mr..
Andrews until I saw them on the float"
Hams testified with regard to the So
called Dear Billy letter. which Mrs.
Hams gave to him to mail a few min
said Capt. Hams was standing near and
snatched IT from his hand and read it.
The letter was addressed to William E.
Annis.
"A few days before" said Hams. Il
was talking with Capt. Hams and asked
him what brought him on. He said
some letters. a few Of which 1 read
The defendant denied he had asked
any club members on the dock for An
mis-. This closed the direct examination
of Hams.
Darrin Reviews Testimony.
District Attorney Darrin undertook
the Characterization and carried the
defendant over the main points of his
story in detail. Hams said his brother
in breaking into his home on the day of
Mrs. Hams confession opened the door
with such violence that he broke baby
carriage back of the door.
The defendant stated that he had a
two-hour conversation with Capt. Hams
at Fort Hamilton the day Of the confes-
sion, but other than some disconnected
utterances he could not recall what was
said by his brother.
The defendant said that on the morn
slept late, as he. the defendant, had
given him an extra heavy dose Of Sleep
ing medicine, fearing he would wake up
early and 60 to the fort and find Annis
there.
Why were You afraid to have the cap
His brain was so shattered did not
know what he might do. 1 was afraid he
might go insane l did not fear that he
would hurt Annis.'
Thornton Hams said he went with Capt.
Hams to the fort that day and found
Mrs. Hams lying on a sofa without much
attire and evidently under the influence
of liquor. Witness said he had seen
Mrs. Hams under the influence of liquor
at her home in Winthrop. Mass, and at
Marblehead.
Mrs. Hams Repentant.
The defendant said:
"She was moaning, oh somebody kill
me. 1 have ruined my home and dis
graced my children l told the general
20 take Peter away and call a Doctor
did you accompany Capt. Hams June
I to the lawyers Office to see about the
divorce. which was instituted that day."
II don't recall; think ! did"
The defendant was not allowed to tell
what was said by his brother at that
meeting.
did you serve the divorce papers on
Mrs. Hams that night?" asked the dis
trict attorney.
The witness said he told the. family
lawyer he thought it was better to let
Mrs. Hams get divorce in Dakota.
Mr.. Mcintyre made objection to the
line of Interrogation. District Attorney
Darrin said the defense had brought out
Capt. Hams was insane.
We'll, the defense does not want these
conversations mentioned. l will sustain
their objections" said Justice Crane.
Mr.. Mcintyre accepted the court ruling
in silence. District Attorney Darrin evil
denced his pleasure in scoring the point
that the defense did not want the con-
versations brought into the trial. even
though he was not permitted to interro-
gate the witness.
Confused by Questions.
The defendant said today that his
brother did not mention Annis' name
while walking in Herald Square, where
he saw man Of Annis' appearance walk
across the street.
Didn't you testify yesterday that your
brother said There he goes and you said
'Who?' and he replied 'Annis?''
Il don't recall now
Mr. Hams said that the reason why he
went alongside the two men In the boat
with his motor boat was to ascertain
about the fishing in the Shrewsbury.
But you said yesterday that 1t was
your brother who asked you to go along
side the boat?"
II may have said it, and it's proba Bile
that the captain said it at that time.
am testifying to the best OF my ability
1 don't want to be caught up on some
minor details
The defendant became irritated at the
questions Of the district attorney and de-
clared that he didn't recall some Of the
things he said yesterday because he was
tired out.
The district attorney pressed the wit
ness close on description he had given
of Capt. Hams when he learned OF the
charges contained in his wife's cross bill.
Hams declared he could not remember
all the minor details he had testified to
yesterday.
Recess was here taken.
Thornton Hams Graphic Story.
Thornton ]. Hams took the stand when
court reconvened yesterday afternoon and
gave a vivid description of the actions
of Capt. Hams after his wife's alleged