New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-08-26
DIVORCE FOR CAPT. HAMS
Court Grants Slayer of AnniS an
InterIoCutory Decree.
GENERAL KEEPS CHILDREN
Decision Based on Defendants
Signed Confession-Plaintiff
Now in Sing Sing.

Justice scudder. Of the Supreme Court,
Brooklyn. gave a decision yesterday after
noon granting an introductory decree of
divorce TO Captain Peter c. Hams. jr
from his Wife Mrs. Claudia i. Hams. Cap
tain Hams is now serving a term for man.
slaughter at Sing Sing prison. The three
children Of Captain and Mrs. Hams are
left IN the custody of the plaintiffs father.
General Peter c. Hams sr.. OF Washing
ton
The trial OF the suit occurred on August
ls The case had been started on June l.
1908 a few DAYS after the return or captain
Hams from his army post in the Philip
pine Islands II was said he was recalled
by his brother. Thornton J. Hams. the
writer. after hearing tales Of the alleged
misconduct Of Mrs. Hams. The case was
based on a confession made BY the wife 70
David c. Bennett. jr., Captain Hains's at
torney, on May 81 She had at first con-
fsssed. II was said, TO the general on May
80 The correspondent was William r
Annis.
The tragic features Of the case did not
develop until August 10. 1908, when Captain
Hams shot Annis TO death al the Bayside
Yacht Club. Thornton J. Hams was with
his brother at the time, and both men were
arrested.
The brothers were tried IN Long Island
City, the one for murder and the other for
aiding and ahetting the commission Of the
crime Thornton Hams was tried first
and acquitted The captain was convicted
Of manslaughter in the third degree and
was sent TO prison for eight years After
the trials Mrs. Annis went on the stage.
while Mrs. Hams dropped out Of sight. At
the trial Of the divorce case II was said
that she was at Management
Recently the Jurors who convicted Cap
tain Hams signed a petition asking the
Governor 10 pardon him. The petition
stated that the jurors had asked the court
for mercy and were disappointed because
OF the long sentence imposed upon the
prisoner They believed. they said. that
the captain had suffered enough and should
be released.
Captain Hams did not appear at the di-
vorce trial. The testimony was secured
from his father. brother and former ser
wants W. c. Percy acted as his attorney
Thornton Hams told Of the marriage.
which occurred on April 60 1900 at Win
throp. Mass The Rev. DR.. Carter, an
Episcopal clergyman. OBLIGATED. The gen
eral and M Bennett told Of the wife's
confession.
The story Of the conduct Of Mrs. Hams
and Mr. Annis was related by Emma La
veue. who had been a chambermaid in the
Hams home from December. 1907. 10 May,
1908. and by Minnie Rooney, formerly the
Hams cook Emma Lavelle said that An
MS had come 10 the house three or four
times each week and always kissed Mrs
Hams az his arrival and departure. Onf
day Mrs Hams introduced him 10 the
chambermaid as her affinity. She was as
signed 10 make arrangements for Mr.
Anniss visits.
The testimony of the servants was tnally
cut snort by the court who pronounced II
unnecessary. The chief evidence produced
D at the trial was the written confession
Y sworn 70 by the defendant This had been
introduced after the testimony Of Mr. Ben
nett Mrs Hams was not represented al
the trial If she makes no objections the
iuterlocutory decree will he made absolute
three months hence.