Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1922-09-18

I has one other brother, Henry
Bunk" Stevens, about fifty years
old, proprietor of a fishing and hunt
Ing lodge at Barnegat. He also has
been questioned by the authorities
in order to shed more light on the
complicated situation.
Statements made by residents
here who knew both the minister
and the choir-leader well differ con-
!, siderably as to the relations existing
| between the two. Some maintain
that the two have been on very inti-
mate terms for the past two years
and on frequent occasions went out
| in Rev. Mr.. Halls automobile to-
gether.
Although both Mrs. Hall and Mills
knew Friday morning that Mr.. Hall
and Mrs. Mills were missing. no re-
port of their disappearance was
made to the police. In seeking for
Mr.. Hall, his wife sought informa-
ton at the Mills home early Fri
day morning. These facts arg. tar
I to indicate a desire on the part OF
all concerned to keep the disappear
ance quiet. likely believing it to have
| been an elopement of the two.
The explanation is given this
| morning by one investigating the
double murder that the belief of
Willie Stevens that his brother-in-
law and Mrs. Mills had eloped sec
reilly led him to make the statement
he did concerning big things hap
pening soon" Instead of knowing
something about the murder, it is
pointed out, he might have referred
to the scandal which would follow
the publicity given to such an elope-
ment.
The first report of the murder to
reach this city was shortly before
noon Saturday when the police We're
notified that a body had been found
| near Easton avenue. No details were
given at that time to the police,
Officers Joseph Curran and Joseph
Corrigan being assigned to the spot
to investigate. They reported about
| o'clock the discovery of the two
bodies on the Phillips farm in Som
erset county.
At the spot where the bodies were
found there was no indication that
there had been any struggle. Three
shots entered the woman's head and
one struck the man, according to a
report of the examining physicians.
No weapon was found near the
bodies although an empty 32-cali-
bre bullet was discovered. The wom-
| ans body had several marks upon
it which would indicate that either
| there had been a struggle or she
had been roughly handled.
In addition to being sexton of the
Protestant Episcopal church of st.
John at Commercial and Throop
avenues, Mills was assistant janitor
at the Lord Stirling school. His
wife assisted him in many OF his
duties.
Detectives went through the Mills
home today in quest of clues that
might aid in the solution of the case.
When they emerged they said they
had found nothing.
1t was learned today from close
friend of Mrs. Hall who spent about
two hours with her yesterday that
the widow of the murdered rector
has implicit faith in him and will
not believe any rumor5 which have
been circulated concerning the rela-
tions of her husband and the MUIR
dered woman. According to Mrs.
Halls version of the murder. as told
to her friend. the murder was di-
rected at Mrs. Mills and the shooting
Of Mr.. Hall was Incidental thereto.
Some one. Mrs. Hall is said to have
told her friend. sought vengeanca
upon Mrs. Mills and the minister was
the victim OF mistake.
A character sketch of Mrs. Nllls
was secured from a member of the
church who knew both of the mar
der victims well. This prominent
church worker said Mrs. Mills was
small in build. very slight and os
highly nervous disposition: she was
highly strung but deeply religious.
anc whatever Mrs. Mills did. her
husband thought was perfectly all
right" In answer to a question az
to whether the murdered woman
was inclined to be wild" or .'SKii-
dish" the church member said,
"Highly strung? Yes. 'Skiddlsh'?
Neveri"
Inquiries by the authorities re-
suited in Mrs. Hall admitting yes
terday that she had entered side
door OF her home about 3 o'cloc Fri
day morning after visiting the
church in search of her husband
on maya AZ