Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1909-01-06
Prosecution Vigorously Cross &
amlnes Alleged Accessory h the
Murder Of Annis.
SHOWS Confidence N HIMSELF
Defendant 10 Questioned On Every
Point-Telis About "Dear Billy"
Letters-DeeIares He Paintsd HE
Revolver At No Ono But roberts,
Displays No Nervous Symphonic sss
(Bv Associated Press.)


FLUSHING. N. Y. Jan. 5.-Thcra-
ton J. Hams today faced the severest
ordeal OF his trial when, after CON-
Gliding 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 principal with his brother. Captain
Peter c. Hains. Jr, In the killing OK
William f. Annis Mrs. Annis was
In court egain today.
Thornton Hams gave every indica-
ton of confidence In himself today
when he resumed the witness stand.
His high-pitched voice was clear and
he employed IL with much drastic
skill In answering questions OF coun-
sci. Other than to pass his hand
over his hair once in q while, Hatns
evidenced no signs OF nervousness
The only person pointed my r.
yolver at was Mr. Roberts," said the
witness. I'm fact, l never saw Mr.
Funke or Mr.. Andrews until ! saw
them ON the float"
Hams testified with regard 20 the
socalied Dear Billy" letter which
Mrs. Hams gave TO him 10. maH = few
minutes after her confession. The
witness said Captain Hams was stand-
irg near snd snatched II from his
hand and READ It, The letter vas !.
addressed TO William f. Annis.
Letters Brought Him Back.
"A few days before" said Hams.
Il was talking with Captain Hams
and asked him what brought him ON !
and he said some letters. few OF
which / read" ~.
The defendant denied tirat he had
asked any Of the club members on
the dock for Annis. This closed ene
direct examination OF Mr.. Hams.
District Attorney Darrin undertook
the crosse examination and carried the
defendant over the main poirss OF his
story In detail. Mr.. Hams said that
his brother in breaking into HIS homo
on the day Of Mrs. Hams confession
opened the door with such violence
that he broke q baby carriage back
Of the door.
Conversation with erother.
The defendant stated that he hSd
a two hours conversation with Cap
tain Helms at Fort Hamilton the day
OF the ecnfession,< but other fhen
scme disconnected utterances he
could rot recall what was said by ms
brother. 3,
The defendant said that the m0rn-
ing following the confession Captain
Hams slept late, az ne, the defend-s
ant. had given him an extra dcse of
sleeping medicine. fearing he would
wake up early and 60 to the fort ana
find Annis there.
why were you afraid to have the
captsin met Annis!
His brain was - shattered thai
did MT know what he might DO.
was afraid he hight 90 infane. 90
not fear that he would hurt AnEsA
Thornton Hams said M vent with
Captain Hams to the tort that e.y
ami found Mrs Hams living on . -
without much attire snd evideatly IN
der the influence Of liquor. Wltness
sad he had seen Mrs Hams under
the influence Of liquor ut her b04e
In Winthrop. Mass, and Ut A&Ds
head. The defendant said:
Ruined Her Home
she was moaning. oh. scmebody
kill me. hsye ruined my ho0e a.
t:sSrsced nv children I tod Ae
general 20 take Peter away and caiaea
a doctor"
did YOU serve the divorce payers
On Mrs. Hams that night!" asked Ne
district attorney. =
Yes. at the fort.
The witness said thst be told tte
lawyer that he thought was eeuef
TO Jet Mrs. Hairs get divorce -
Dakota.
The defendant said today that III