New-York tribune., 1909-01-01
PARENTS ON STAND
ACCUSE CLAUDIA HAMS.
Father Tells Of Trouble That He
Saus Wreckcd Sons Life.

=
Kinia P Hams father and mother Of Thornton J
Hams now on trial at Flushing. y. y. a
principal in the Staying Of William r. Annis were
put or the witness stand yesterday. and brought
out in detail the alleged relationship Of Mrs
Claudia Hams and William E Anns that they
say caused the estraneement Of Captain Hams
and his wife.
General Hains testified that in his presence and
that Of Peter and Thornton Hains Claudia Hains.
-he captains wife made u fun confession Of her
misconduct. and that subsequently Captain Hains
manifested such grief that his mind became ar
Tected The confession. which General Hams de-
clared Claudia Hams had signed on the day fol-
lowing Captain Hains's return from the West
was read the jury.
After General Hams testified counsel for the
defence asserted that the evidence was now con-
elusive that Captain Fains mentally unhal-
anoed when ne shot William Annis and that his
act was OF his sole doing The general viii be
under cross-exarnination again Monday.
, Mrs Virginia T Hains. who wept many times
during l9er story. said that Captain Hams in his
early life showed signs Of physical weakness,
which counsel will tTy II prove through three
aT-e-ts 2 predisposing cause to insanity Cen
eral Hains permitted 70 say that his father
had died from insanity.
Justice Crane directed District Attorney Darrir.
hose Of Office expired last night. TO con-
i-inue the prosecution in the Chagrined at
:the criticism Of his conduct or the prosecution Nr
rarrfr had asked Justice Crane for permission
retire. The Court called Frederick 4 De Witt.
VINO takes office to-day as District Attorney. and
asked him regarding his familiarity with the case
trial
y have no knowledge whatever Of the case out
SIDE a what has been gained from the newspapers
hearing q little II testimony court. r.
piled Nr. De Witt. lie said would uor he posi-
tle for him conduct the prosecution without the
aid Mr. Darrin -IuSti,e Crane directed that
Nj De Witt he present during the r-nlai..der of
the trial and render what assistance he could
Major John ?. Hairz Thornt7ns brother. con
finued his testimony. revealed nothing not be
ore ad l- wiz
Mrs Virginia ?. Hains led TO The stand hy
Major iIains. nor son She aIpear,d about 10 '"'-
lapse Wien tla oath Mas ad7ainiS-er,5. she testi-
fed that she was ~zty-eishr wears uf-.
Mrs Hams related hoU Peter V,re7 I'D ~
seven OF eight wears was subject 20 Nightmares
She also said he fell On his head ~ one time and
suffered severe injury
Please tell. Mrs Hairs." said Nr Mcintyre.
what happened in June
Il 90 not think Connie kissed When I
him she said. He was a terrible state. do
rot rementer what ne did. 1 I had my
arms about him when lie said:
oh. this IS terrible, Annis has ruined my wife
and my home and has disgraced my children. Oh
my God. How can I stand IL? Then he vent up
stairs his children in their beds. He wept
over his baby the others, and said:
-s Oh how could she have disgraoed these little
darIingsg'
He came down late and told Of some crazy
scheme for the general and me- to make our home
with him. said. I'd rather see them all dead
than have them live with her He crazed
hurst with. oh. how happy il is 20 ne
rfed.' would at times remain without talking
for 20 long that I would beG him for mercy's sake
10 say something"
testimony tending - show blood tafnt. the
ruling everything until he asked the witness
plainly:
Did YOU have fits child2~
We'll I had hysterfa. and WAS treated by q
physician" said Mrs Hains. she was not per
rrtted 10 describe her condition sensations he
fore and after the attacks. Nr Mcintyre took
exceptions al the courts rulings.
She was asked If she considered Captain Hams
rational otherwise
Y considered him irrational" she replied
General Hams Immediately followed his wife
--Of what did your father DIE" the witness was
asked.
There was a vigorous objection. and the Court
said the witness could answer the question in
that form.
My father died Of insanity in 1892" Cen
eraI Hams. finally. This regarded by the
fence taken III connection with the testimony
garding Captain Hainss alleged irTesponsibity. as
being one Of the strongest points made. The
fences contention that the captains alleged in
sanity came from sides The house vas laid
hare when MI Mcintyre asked General Hams:
During your married life did you take note Of
any nervous IystericaI conditions your vyife?
The Court held that hysteria until after the ex-
rerts were heard, could not he held a basis for
the transmission Of insanity
Early in married life my wife displayed
nervousness and h.Steria.'' testified the general
Fea1
throughout our married l.fe She has frequently
been hvsterical and has fallen down. ] put vet
towels 10 her face This condition pro
rc;Inced when she a youns women than of
later wears She would fling her about and
upward times Ter limbs were rigid she would
laugh and cry This happened frequently
in our esrIy married life connie Was shortsiEhted
when four years old He had To look closely at his
tovs lie he'd nightmares. crying out and bu-ylnS
l3s read in the pillows These wore of as he grew
older ,yber ne was ten years old perhaps. He
fev feteer Zee; down q hatch and insenslble
fo- +yo hours. h.a struck upon the upper
right side Of his head. had frequent headaches
.fterward. Connie became subject 10 fits OF anger
His color changed quickly. This WAS pronounced
when YOU saw Connie al the Hotel Astor, did
he deliver anything 10 you? asked MI McintyTe
Yes s : q packet Of letters They were SHOWN
however-not delivered"
..1vhat cid he say?' asked the lawyer showing
ste letters the general.
,,,s,es he said FOR that handing me the let
-A-s 7 have been very much troubled These
,.,+e-s have caused me a great deal Of worry.
aud 7 have corae TO see If what these letters
contain is true false
- .gU take wnat Captain Hains said IL you
,,ain, /; was irrational said the co-t to MF.
McIrtvre but ] will not admit the letters as
evidence"
u told him his wife had been absent week
IN anril and .hat she sick in bed Tor d week
when she returned" continued General hams 'iie