New Britain herald., 1922-11-02
Husband of Slain Choir Singer Declares Min ister's Wife's Story Does Not Agree With All Facts
Denies That He Ever Heard Any Unfavorable Gossip Relating to His Wife and Clergyman.
EVIDENCE MAY GO TO
 GRAND JURY. ON SAT.

New Brunswick. N. J.. Nov. D. Looking up from work in coal bin in the basement of the scfoolhouse where he is janitor, James Mills, whose wife Eleanor, was murdered with the Rev. Edward W. Hall or September 14, today took issue with some of the statements made yester- day by the clergyman's widow in an interview with newspapermen.
 Questions Time.
 Mills said that he met Mrs. Hall at the church at s:30 o'clock on the morning of Friday, September 15 Mrs. Hall said yesterday that she was at the church at ' o'clock.
 "I know it could not have been earlier than .s:3o,' said Mills. "be- cause my children had already gone to school"
 "The first thing Mrs. Hall asked me was:
 Feared Something Happened.
 Was anybody sick at your house last night?' We then commented on the fact that both my wife and her husband were missing and I said;
 Maybe they have eloped.'
 Nc was Mrs Halls reply. I think something has happened to them
 "At noon again Mrs Hall came to my house. told her hadn't heard anything and she said she hadn't either. Then she went away She is incorrect in her statements in stating that she did not come to my house again at 5,2o o'clock remembe, that had just returned with some ice and was putting 1t in the refriger- ator. She stayed only minute.
 Was Not Much Pcrturbed.
 T saw Mrs. Hall again at o'clock in her home I went there to ask her if she had any news. I stayed on the porch to talk. She didn't seem to take it as hard as did. I had an idea that Dr, Hall ana my wife had been together, but 4fdn't think there was anything wrong. I don't know why I ever suggested an elope- ment."
 Mills said that when he saw Mrs. Hall at the church at S:3o in the morning she had assured him that she would notify the police Mrs. Hall stated yesterday she wasn't cer- tain whether she called the police before or after she met Mills.
 Sure It Was . Woman. < Commenting on Mrs. Halls state ment that she was not vindictive and that she didn't care to see anyone punished for the murders, Mills said:
 1T am not vindictive either, but I want to see the murderer punished. I believe it was a woman's deed. All these theories about blackmail and robbery and things are rot. It was jealousy and I think her throat was cut in spite because of her beautiful singing"
 Never Heard Gossip.
 T never heard any gossip about my wife and Dr. Hall" said Mills. TT I had would not have stood for 1t for a single minute. am man enough not to have kept that job at the church if I thought there was anything wrong between the minister and my wife I live right and I want others to do the same. would have gone to Mir. Hall, and if he would not listen I would have gone to the bish- op and to the vestry."
 Mills said he had never heard Of his wife having trouble with anybody and he said he knew of no enemies that Dr. Hall might have had.
 There was plenty of gossip about members of the choir, though" he added.
 Study Mrs. Halls Interview.
 The authorities are closely study ing Mrs. Halls replies to newspaper men yesterday.
 Officials declined to comment this morning on the interview given yes- terday by Mrs Hall to 20 newspaper men. Stenographic transcripts of the interview were in the hands of both special Deputy Attorney Gen. Wilbur A. Mott and his chief investigator, James r. Mason.
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