The Washington herald., 1909-05-02
Maj. HAMS TELLS
OF BROTHERS. ACTS
Builds pTestimOny to Prove
Insanity Plea.
AssENTs HE WAS IRRATIONAL
Oldest Brother of Annis' slayer
Makes Better Impression on Wit
ness stand Than ShOrt-story W ritter,
Describes Climate in Philippines
and It's Effect on Defendant.

New York. May Maj. John Power
HaiRs, yne third member OF the family
tc take the witness stand IN defense Of
Capt. Peter c. Hsins, jr., on trial in the
Supreme Court al Flushing, for the mur-
der OF Nuliam E. Annis. began giving
his direct testimony at this mornings
halliday session Of the court after Thorn
ton .. Hams had been released from a
long and searching cross-examination.
The purpose Of Mai Hams testimony
is 70 build up st1I further evidence given
By his father and his brother purporting
10 show the insanity OF the defendant at
the time Of the shooting.
The 6emeanor Of the Oldest Of the three
brothers was in marked contrast 10 that
OF the fiction writer who Incurred the
displeasure OF his brothers own counsel
and brought down upon himself rebukes
from Justice Garretson because OF the
headstrong manner Of testifying on Fri
day.
His Testimony Careful
Maj Hains, seemingly q bit nervous.
spoke deliberately and in a restrained
voice and gave thought TO each answer
before he delivered il He did not in
dulge in any Of the theatrical demonstra-
tiens that had been made previously by
Thornton Hams
The witness first was made 10 describe
the climate Of Porto Rico and the Philip
pines, in both Of which places Capt Hams
had served with the army. and upon which
the defense seems 10 be placing consid-
cradle confidence in predicting q predis-
posing cause Of insanity.
Mai Hams then came down In his mar
rative 20 the time when his brother. the
captain came hUrrying back from san
Francisco 10 verify the suspicion that the
letters from his wife had aroused IN him
He told Of meeting Capt Hams al the
Hotel AstOr the DAY after his arrival and
of the talk he had had with Gen. Hams
and Thornton in the presence Of his
brother concerning the certainty OF
Claudia Hains actions.
In contrast 10 the captains Ioyal de-
fense OF his wife on that occasion. the
witness pictured in an even voice the
despair OF his brother when he saw him
the following day and was told by him
Of hOw the wife. when taxed directly by
the accusations brought By Gen Hams
loved Billy Annis'
oh. this man Annis has driven me
crazy Capt Hains was quoted as hav-
ing said on that occasion Il thought he
was my friend and now he has ruined
my life and my home.
Maj. Hams described the conduct OF
his brother AZ that time as having been
irrational He was being led 20 further
narrative Of the events about which his
father and brother have already testified
when court adjourned
Thornton auieted Down.
The closing passages between Thornton
Hams and District Attorney De Witt were
far less spirited this morning than when
the discrimination began on Friday.
Over night John F. Mcintyre. CHIEF Of
counsel for Capt Hams. had taken the
witness in hand and warned him that
q continuation Of his manner OF testify
ing might do the defendants cAse more
harm than good The lecture seemed 20
have sObered Thornton Hams consid-
erably.
NIr. De Witt did not allow himself 20
be drawn into the trap that NIcIntyre had
laid for him the day before. The at
torney for the defense had skipped in
his direct examination all reference &c
the inciGents Of the actual shooting at
me Bayside Yacht Club, To have open
ed that line Of Testimony AIr. De Witt
would have 10 make Thornton Hams a
States witness. lie preferred not 10 90
So
In two minor points the district at
tOrney found the witness contradic;ine
testimony that he had given in his own
behalf during his trial on the murder
charge. but the effect was immateriaI.