New-York tribune., 1922-10-28
Pursued TO Weed CIump,
Dragged Back, Shot Be-
side Rector's Body, She
Ayers i'm New Affidavit
Saw Woman Sobbing
| At Scene at | A. M.
Had Same Gray Coat, She
Asserts; Mott Ready 10
Give Grand Jury Case
By Boyden Sparkle.

NEW bKuNSWlCk, n. j., Oct
27.--Before she was shot down in
cold blood, Mrs. Eleanor Mills made
a frantic attempt to escape from the
persons whom shs had just seen kiH
her sweetheart, the Rev. Edward w.
Hall. This information has been
given to the authorities by Mrs. Jane
Gibson, the farm woman, who says
she saw the killings from the back
Of saddle mule.
One of the officials revealed this
tonight, confirming a report that
Mrs. Gibson had made an additional
affidavlt in which she told of return
ing to the Phillips farm several
hours after witnessing the murders
and Of seeing there woman in a
gray coat, kneeling beside the bodies
in the faint light of quarter moon.
sobbing bitterly.
Murder Held Deliberate
Basing their conclusions on what
Mrs. Gibson has tod them. the autGoss-
ties now have decjaed that Dr.. Haii.s
murder was not an impulsive act.
prompted by burst of rage, but that
the rector end Mrs. Mills were killed
with cold deliberation that was re-
fiected in the slashing of the woman's
throat
One of the officials said that they
had been told that after the clergyman
fell to the ground with bullet through.
his brain Mrs. Mills turned and fed
across the field, stumbling and falling
every few yards as her fear-strickeu
limbs crumpled beneath her. They
have been told that the sections wife
actually succeeded in hiding herself in
the weeds in the field and that the
murderers had to hunt for her, finally
focusing hashlight on her covering
form. Then they dragged her back 70
the bleeding form of her lover and
there pumped three bullets into her
head.
Fought for His Life
The official who gave this Informs
tion tonight said that before the rac-
tor was shot he had been denounced
and cursed for his relations with the
choir singer, and that during this
tfrade Mrs. Mills had stood by clasp
ing and unclasping her hands and
whlmpering and moaning. Then there
was fight that ended when the min
lister was shot.
In those portions of Mrs. Gibson's
amdavlt that have been made public
1t was disclosed that the farm woman
told that there was an interval he
tween the firing of the first shot and
the last three. Now, according to the
af,c'al who told about it tonight, that
interval was caused by Mrs. Mills,s
sudden dash into the darkness.
IT she had escaped she would have
exposed the murderers, of course, and
SO their pursuit was as frantic as the
choir singers flight.
The second affidavit from Mrs. Glib
son, 1T is known, tells, substantially,
this story:
II waited at home for more than an
hour before got up courage to re-
turn to the Phillips place. Then /
mounted my mule, Jennie, and once
more rode through De Russy Lane.
When came to the spot where | had
heard and seen the shots fired. I dis
mounted, tied the animal and cut into
the field.
Heard Woman Sobbing
y heard woman sobbing convul-
slvely 1t was now about / o'clock and
q quarter moon was shining. had no
lashlight, but / could see the same
woman ! had seen in the lane earlier
in the evening. She still wore the
light colored coat and no hat. She
was kneeling beside the two dark OBJ
Jects on the ground and was sobbing
as though her heart would break, It
was not until Saturday that / learned
who had been killed.
Special Deputy Attorney General
Wilbur Mott plans to present the CASE
% the Somerset CoIaty grand jury.
but arrests are unlikely until iniict-
ments have been voted.
The possibility of an early presen-
tation of the case to the grand Jurors
seemed likely tonight in view of Mr..
Tott's statement that he was satisfied
as to the credibility of the story told
by Mrs. Gibson.
Troopers Guard Mrs. Gibson
Mrs. Gibson, at her own request. 40
1T was stated at the court house, Is
heing guarded on her farm by state
trooper. The trooper went with her
from the court house, where she was
interrogated earlier in the day by Mr..
Mott and James Mason, the Newark
detective who is his chief investigator
IN LhlS case,
what was the reason for Mrs. Gih-
sens presence in the courthouse co-
day?' Mr.. Mott was asked.
II wanted to have little talk with
her, and 1 am satisfied" he replied.
"You are not inclined to discredis
her story of witnessing the murders r.
Why certainly moi"
"Have you talked with any one who
corrohorates her story 2"
why. that was the very frst thing
to do
.pid they corroborate hers"
sSpre.1 s.
Who were they7n s
cant tell you.,
Believed To Be Her Son
It is understood. however, that the
corrcboration was given by Mrs. Glib
sons twenty-one- year-eld son, William.
who is in a position to confirm his
mothers ste that she did ride
away from their farm that night.
mounted on Jennie, and determined to
track down 8 corn thief The SON has
declined to discuss with unofficial In,
vestigators the conversation he had
with his mother after she returned
home that night. If he takes the stand
st trial and testifles that his mother
told him that night what she now saSs