The Washington herald., 1911-08-27
CAPT. P. c. HAMS
SECURES DIVORCE
Sequel to the Long Island
City Tragedy in 1908.

New York, Aug. 8.-Justice Scudder
of the Supreme Court, Brooklyn, gave q
decision yesterday afternoon granting ar
interlocutory decree of divorce to Capt
Peter c. Hams, jr., from his wife, Mrs
Claudia L. Hams. Capt. Hams is now
serving a term for manslaughter al
Sing Sing prison. The three children OF
Capt. and Mrs. Hams are left in the
custody of the plaintiffs father, Gen
Peter c. Hams, ST., of Washington
The trial of the suit occurred on Au.
gust Is. The case had been started or
June 1. 1908. a few days after the return
Of Capt. Hams from his army post in
the Philippine Islands. 1t 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 to David c. Bennett,
jr., Capt Hams attorney, on May 81
She had at first confessed. it was said,
to the general on May 80 The co-respon-
dent was William z. Annis.
The tragic feature of the case did
not develop until August Is, 190S when
Capt. Hains 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 ISL
and City, the one for murder and the
other for aiding and abetting the COM
mission of the crime. Thornton Hains
was tried first and acquitted. The cap
tain was convicted of manslaughter in
the third degree and was sent to prison
for eight years. After the trial Mrs
Annis went on the stage, while Mrs
Hams dropped out of sight. At the
trial of the divorce case 1t was said
that she was at Narragansett.
Recently the Jurors who convicted
Capt. Hains signed a petition asking the
governor to pardon. him. The petition
stated that the jurors had asked the
court for mercy and We're disappointed
because Of the long sentence imposed
upon the prisoner. They believed, they
said, that the captain had suffered
enough and should be released.
Capt. Hams did not appear at the d.
vorce trial The testimony was secured
from his father. brother, and former
servants. w. c. Percy acted as his at
torney. Thornton Hains told of the mar
riage, which occurred on April 30, 1900
at Winthrop, Mass. Rev. DR.. Carter an
Episcopal clergyman, officiated. The gen.
eral and Mr.. Bennett told of the wife s
confession.
The story of the conduct of Mrs. Hams
and Mr.. Annis was related by Emma La
velle. who had been a chambermaid in
the Hams home from December. 1907. to
May, 1908. and by Minnie Rooney. for
merly the Hams cook. Emma Lavelle
said that Annis had come to the house
three or four times each week and al
ways kissed Mrs. Hains at his arrival
and departure. One day Mrs. Hams in
him to the chambermaid as her
affinity. She was assigned to make ar
for Mr.. Annis' visits. 80
The testimony of the servants was
finally cut short by the court. who pro-
nounced II unnecessary. The chief evil
dence produced at the trial was the writ
ten confession, sworn to by the defend
ant This had been introduced after the
testimony by Mr.. Bennett. Mrs. Hams
was not represented at the trial II she
makes no objections the interiocutory de-
cree win be made absolute three months
hence.