The Washington herald., 1909-01-06

New York, Jan. 5.-Thornton Hams
writer OF blood-curdling sea tales. on
trial for his life at Flushing. for com
plicity in the murder Of William E. An
mis- by Capt Peter Halns. to-day was
not the same eager. dominating Thorn
ton Hams, who, yesterday, so dramatic
ally and glibly told the story Of the
killing at Bayside. August i last. and
Of the domestic wees that the defense
claims, unseated the mind Of the SLAYER.
Caught in traps by Special Prosecutor
Darriu early in the cross-examiuation.
Hams ragged on the stand. squirmed and
twisted as his tormentor made him con
tradict his direct testimony IL important
details, and. when respite came at recess.
he had entirely lost his magnificent
nerve. and with IT had gone the major
part Of his memory.
He was tried and irritsted and SPARED
for time on all important questions con
corning the reasons for his appearance
and that Of his brother. the captain. al
the Bayside Yacht Club grounds on the
day that AnHis was murdered. The wit
ness showed his nervousness By the
cautious glaaces which he shot a. his
counsel before replying 10 Mr.. Darrin's
inteTrogations. He also lacked positive
ness on many trivial matters
Tells Jury He Is Tired.
Finally at one time. after getting badly
tangled Up as TO the tire Of his appoint
ment with Mr. Bggg. the real estate man.
Who Was 10 show him Bayside property
on the day of the tragedy. the witness
turned appeaiingly 10 the jury and said.
I am tired to-day, more tired than I
have ever been n ny Efe. have been
IN prison five mcnths and 7 an worn
out
In the earlier part Of his c-oss-exarin-
alton Dir. Darriu endeavOreG 10 get Hams
20 repeat the story OF how MS br0rher.
the captain had acted after he heard the
alleged confession Of his wife. but the
witness declared L would be impossible
Tor am 20 so over the recital again as
he was too tired de had lost all his
ire and energy
Mr- Darrin got the witness 70 contra
dict himself several times. This made
him extremely irritable and he showed
his anger when the apparent diScreDan-
c-es in his testimony were brought out
The judge, however. spoke soothinzIy 10
him and be gradually recovered some OF
his eQUanimity- He was not however.
The cool and collected witness OF yester-
day and his testimony lost much OF its
value
Feature of Testimony.
One Of the fetures Of his testimony To-
day was a description O fthe condition
In which he found Mrs. Claudia Hairs'
Hams during visit 20 Fort Hamilton
after the confession He said she was "
ing on the floor intoxicated. and moan
ing ooh. somebody Kill me. Oh. Peter,
have ruined my home"
Hams told of having considered pUr-
chasing property prior 10 March ]. 1875.
at several different seaside points. He
had but little recollection OF any OF these
except those about the Bay
side Yacht Club property.
Just as the cr0sS-eNauinatiOn started
Mrs. AnniS, widow OF the murdered man.
dressed in her rather peculiar black COS
tune, entered and took her regular place.
inside the railing where she could look
straight at the prisoner as ne answered
the prosecutor
The CroSs-eXaminati0n Of the witness
moved so slowly IL was evident that the
prosecutor was not half through with the
witness when the court adjourned for the
5av