Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-09-21
"GHOST HOUSE"
INVESTIGATED
Old Dwelling More Mysteri-
Gus Than Double
Murder
Detectives Baffled at Conditions as
Found in Old Dwelling Near Scene
of Murder-Believ Ill Fated Ones
Were Lured Here.
(Bv United Press


The mystery of the "ghost house"
near which the bullet riddled and
bruised bodies of a millionaire min
ister and his choir leader were found,
were penetrated today. The past of
the Rev. Edward Wheeler Hall and
Mrs. James Mills, whose husband was
the sexton in the church of st. John
the Evangelist, was dug up in an eff
fort to find a solution Of their muir
der.
Prosecutor Strickler, working on
the theory that the two were either
lured to. or surprised in the deserted
mansion on the Phillips farm and
then brutally murdered, went over
every foot of the house, searching for
a clew.
The dwelling presents mystery
which even rivals the deaths of Mrs.
Mills and her pastor, Although un7
occupied for six months, Strickler
found that it was. with the exception
of rugs, completely and elegantly
furnished. A pitcher On sparkling
spring water was on a table and there
was not a particle of dust to be found.
From this examination Of the prem
ises authorities drew these two con-
cluSions:
That the Rev. Hall and Mrs,
Mills were surprised in the house
where they had gone to meet by a
person or persons who set themselves
up as moral censors to the eXtenl Of
taking life.
2-That the two, innocent of any
clandestine love affair. were lured to
the house by persons seeking revenge
for some unknown injury.
Samuel Levine, guardian Of Willie
Stevens, the eccentric brother of Mrs.
Hall, stated that he was the only one
who held the key to the ghost house"
Cross examination of persons liv-
ing fairly close to the Phillips place
brought forth startling revelations.
The most significant tale was told
by Charles Jones, an a@'0 mechanic,
and his wife. They stated they were
up late Thursday night caring for
the wants of a troublesome baby,
when woman'S piercing screams
rent the quiet night. Several shots
were fired following this, the Jones
said. This was, investigators state,
about five hours after the minister
left his wife and the choir leader left
her husband without announcing their
respective destinations.
Il ran to the window and jerked
back the curtain" said Mrs. Jones.
II saw two automobiles dashing by at
a terrific rate of speed. They were
headed toward New Brunswick.
Other persons in the neighborhood
stated they also heard the1scream of
a woman, and the shots.
Every person in New Brunswick
know of the tragic end of the Rev.
Hall and Mrs Mills but one-the aged
mother of the minister.
The mother lives in a boarding
house and was taken for rides fire.
uuently by the Minister. Although
she attended her sons funeral, friends
told her he died a natural death.
Let me see the newspaper stories
of my Eddie's DEATH is her lnslstent
plea, according to friends of the fam
ily. But the clippings which connect
up the lives of the son and his choir
leader before they were united III
death are withheld.
Her friends agree with her when
she waits. surely the newspapers
praised my boy" but the clippings
are never forthcoming. Mrs: han,
the pastors broken hearted wite, de-
MED herself to interviewers today.
81 still believe in my husband,
members of the house hold quoted
here as saying. These sordid stories
of scandal that they tell of Edward
are all lies-I know they are
Mills husband of the choir leader
and Janitor of the aristocratlc church
sat on the wobbly steps of the un-
painted frame house that he occupies
and reaffirms his faith in his dea'
wife.
I'm sure Of her innocence" ne
said repeatedly. "If it had been any
other man but my pastor | might not
be so certain. But he was a good man
.Elinor was a good girl.
Willie Stevens, eccentric brother OF
Mrs. Hall who made his home-wlth
the minister, roamed listlessly about
the streets of New Brunswick shad-
owed by detectives.
For the first time he became cam
era-shy. Willie, who is out after the
parties who started all this dirty
talk pulled hic volunteer tiremans
cap down over his face when photo
graphers drew near.
Before noon detectives made an
other hurried trip to the ghost
house" NO trespassing here signs
were bowled over as the probers clam
ored up the steps. A guard was post
ed to keep all but the proper authorl-
ties from entering the house.
On this visit according to .detec-
tives when they made their exit the
greatest attention was made TO the
bedrooms up stairs. Mattresses but 6uS
no linen were found on two beds. Inc
rooms above were found to be as dust
less and tidy as the living room be-
low.
There are over 100000 different