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Fred Hammer Seized After Shooting Wife Fracas Takes Place in Delaware Paddock; Bullet Strikes Horse DELAWARE PARK, Stanton, Del., June 28. Fred Hammer, former assistant starter for George Cassidy in New York and Florida, and later a thoroughbred trainer, was taken into custody here today by the Delaware state police after he had shot and wounded his estranged wife, Andrea Luck-enbach Dobbs Hammer, heiress to the Luckenbach steamship fortune. Mrs Hammer was removed to the Delaware Hospital where physicians stated that she was wounded in the right breast and left hip, but was not in a serious condition. j According to reports, Mrs. Hammer had been lunching with friends in the clubhouse when he, Hammer, arrived just before the first race after having motored from Miami, Fla. After conversing for a brief time, Mrs. Hammer arose and departed for the paddock, with Hammer following her. Upon reaching the paddock, they again conversed, with Mrs. Hammer walking away and into the stall of Now Hear This, a thoroughbred which had been leased from her by owner-trainer Woodrow W. Long. When Mrs. Hammer left him, Hammer pulled a pistol and fired several shots, two of "which struck Mrs. Hammer, while another grazed Long and still another struck the horse. Valet Harry D. Walker, Jr., jumped Hammer and was joined by Long, the two of them overpowering the assailant. Both Mrs. Hammer and Long were treated by track physician Dr. Stuart W. Rose. Long sustained only a slight flesh Wound, while Mrs. Hammer was more seriously injured and was removed to Delaware Hospital, Wilmington, Del., for further treatment.
