The New York herald., 1922-09-24
SLAIN RECTOR'S WIFE
MAKES STATEMENT,
AFTER POLICE QUIZ
Lacks Even Conjecture as
to Motive of Double KILL
ing, She Says.
DETAILS MOVEMENTS
Prosecutor Asserts No One
Has Been Eliminated
From Suspicion.
DETAILS MOVEMENTS
NO ARREST IS IMMINENT
New Stories About Shots and
Screams on Night Of Trag-
edy Differ.

Special Dispatch to THE NEW YORK HERALD.
New BRUNSWICK, N. J.. Sept. 23.-
Mrs. Frances n. Hall, widow of the
Rev. Edward w. Hall. who was found
murdered a week ago to-day, his body
lying beside that of Mrs. Eleanor Mills,
singer in his choir. who had also
been murdered. was not and never had
been jealous of Mrs. Mills, according
to her own statement, made tonight
in the course of a brief interview at
the conclusion of what for her was a
most eventful day.
In the morning for hours Mrs. Hall
had been grilled by the prosecutors of
the two counties, going over lime and
again every detail of the eventfuI
days of week past and the little
things in her life before the murder
of her husband She had been asked
every question that might properly be
asked by the law in such a case as
this, and she had answered every one
In the afternoon, following the ex-
animation, she had gone over and ap-
proved statement for publication,
the first authentic word to come di-
rectly from her since her husbands
body was found. 1t is in a way an
innocuous statement. adding little to
the facts that have been known for
days. but 1t took some effort for her
to aid in its preparation.
Mrs. Hail Give. Interview.
Then tonight. but only for few
minutes. she submitted to being inter-
viewed. an ordeal she has as much
dreaded as the grilling of the prose-
cutters.
The interview, by arrangement was
with one representative of each news
paper, and by agreement IT was brief.
this stipulation being imposed by Miss
Sallie Peters of New York. who was
maid of honor at Mrs. Halls wedding.
The talk lasted little more than Ave
Mrs Halls eyes filled with tears. while
throughout 1t was apparent she was
laboring under a great strain.
The interview took place in the parlor
of the Hall home on Nicholas avenue
pretty parior. little old fashioned.
with heavy mahogany furniture and
inlaid floors Present besides Mrs. Hall
and Miss Peters were the interviewed
and Lieut.. -Commander Arthur Carpen-
do ~ ha TTrnff ad fat
cousin of Mrs. Hall.
The widow was dressed in black crepe
de chine, the dress being cult square at
the neck. She wore no ornaments and
the dress fell In simple lines. The
woman's gray hair was brushed straight
back over her rather high forehead. She
is credited with being in the neighbor-
hood of fifty-five, but appears somewhat
younger.
Her figure is short and broad and
her features somewhat heavy. She s
not beautiful woman, but by no means
wholly unattractive. She wears nose
glasses and during the interview kept
them on.
Mrs. Hall Is Questioned.
Mrs. Hail." the interviewer began.
did you ever have any feeling OF enmity
or did you ever quarrel with Mrs. Mills
or did you ever have any feeling OF
Jealousy toward her or toward any other
woman?" The answer came quickly and
with decision. even emphasis. "Abso-
luteiy not"
Mrs. Hall In your statement issued
this afternoon you say you do not know
the perpetrator of this crime. DO you
know anybody that might have done
this, or have you any idea as to the
motive for lt?"
A most emphatic shake OF the head
was the first answer and then Mrs
Hall again with emphasis asserted. II
have not the slightest idea. ! have ut
most trust and confidence In my hus-
band and know OF nothing wrong that
he has ever done"
Ibid any gossip ever come to you con-
cerning Mr.. Hall and Mrs. Mills or any
ono else?" Not at all" replied the
woman. again with emphasis.
Ibid you know who II who telephoned
TO your husband Just before he went out
on Thursday night of last week."
II do not know"
"we understand that a Miss Jameson
made the statement to-day that Mr.. Hall
was at her home on Thursday afternoon
at o'clock. Did you know of that?"
That Is quite possible She had been
III and Mr., Hall had been taking flowers
to the Sick
Then question was asked as to why,
In view OF all the circumstances. that
the Halls had not engaged private detec-
tivcs TO work on the case and had re-
Trained from offering reward for the
apprehension OF the murderer.
As to this Mrs. Hall said;
Il have no statement 70 make as T.
that
Continuing she said Il want 10
thank the newspaper men for the cou-.
tesy that has been shown me and /
know that you will understand that the
publicity must be very dlstasteful 10
me-"
To-day. almost week to the hour
from the time the body of her husband
was found beside that Of Mrs. Eleanor
Mills, choir singer, Mrs. Frances ~.
Hall was summoned to the court house
here and questioned by the authorities
And as far An can be learned they
CoufInued on Pare EiQht.