Evening journal., 1922-10-30

Continued From First Page
carried over to the tree" gloated
youth. But the gloaters couldn't sta
to ponder on this thought for erie
Of:
Move on, give us a chance cam
from the hall and with the force o
a subway rush a new crowd swarm
ed in.
Dense clouds of dust logged tn
old-fashioned rooms above the bah
BILE of many voices. The crack o
splintering wood was heard as furni
ture was broken up for souvenirs
stairs groaned and creaked under
the weight, babies cried for missing
mothers.
The highway just below was glut-
ted with automobiles, double row
all tangled up with traffic cops vain
ly trying to restore order.
From this road right up TO the
murder scene marched a veritable
army. The shrubbery which made
this a secluded lovers rendezvous
so remote that the bodies of the
murdered pair lay there all one day
without discovery-has been trampl-
ed into the ground. The bushes
where the slayers hunted Mrs. Mills
with fiashlight have vanished. The
lane down which Mrs. Jane Gibson
rode her mule, where she witnessed
the murder is Just part OF a churn-
ed, dusty meadow now. IL looks like
the circus lot. after the tents have
been struck.
What is there I can say.
wasn't there. I know / wasn't on
the Phillips farm that night. I
know I wasn't there, but they prob
ably won't believe me-"
In her own home with women
relatives and other friend about
her, Mrs. Hall made this statement
Saturday afternoon. Her exclama-
tory statement came after her law
yer, Timothy n. Pfeiner, had gone
over with her the latest statement
OF Mrs. Gibson, who contends she
was an eyewitness to the murder.
The incident was repeated later by
a friend OF the family.
Il know l did not witness the
terrible murder OF my husband and
Mrs. Mills" went on Mrs. Hall. For
my own part / have been a figure
in this community for many years.
/ have been honorable. Doesn't a
persons past count for anything?"
Then as the conversation went on
as Il would in such a household at
such time, Mrs. Hall said; II low
ed my husband. I lived for him
and he lived for me.
I still believe In him absolutely. |
II he were here know that Edward |
could explain those letters and the |
dairy. I know ne could explain. |
know that he could Justify my be-
lief in him II he were living. Moth
ing oan shake my faith: nothing"
This was substantially all Of the
direct statements OF Mrs. Hall thas
friend of the family could recall
The friend went on 10 tell something
about the inner workings OF tn
household
Mrs. Hall has been living almost in
seclusion. many OF her household re-
sponsibilities having been taken or
her shoulders by her contidant and
friend Miss Sally Peters. She has
taken only one automobile ride since
the tragedy. She is much alone
She remains in bed in the morning
and has her breakfast served TO her.
II is then she is most lonely. To
quote the friend who visited her;
"She is not vlndictive. She Is be-
Having like a natural Christian wo |
man. She Is not like a person who
has something on her mind. Wer /
she the cleverest woman in the
world. and she is not that she coul
not act more naturally.
"She Is simply a minister's wife
Nothing can ever convince her tina
her husband was Interested in anoth
er woman. She had never suspect
ed him and she does not now be-
lieve the stories that have been told
OF him. She finds herself cut Oft
from church life and naturally sHe
Is human enough to feel her presen
position"
When Mrs. Hall made her state
mont TO her friends she stood in the
library or study OF the house. Tea
had been served TO a few friends and
relatives. among the latter Mrs. Ed
win Carpenter. Mrs Moncure Car
pender and Mrs. Sidney Carpenter.
one OF the party pointed out tina
that Mr.. Halls sisters had been mos
friendly and sympathetic with Mrs
Hall since the murder. adding tina
this could hardly be so were Their
any real suspicion OF Mrs. Hall. Blu
the attitude OF Mrs
Hall her relatives, friends and coun !
sell Mr.. Preiffer, the authorities,
especially those now most active in
the case, feel that recent develop
ments have taken the case entirely
put of the mystery class and the
events of next week will show that ,,
hey are proceeding on the theory !,
hat they know who killed Hall and 7.
Mrs Mills.
Notwithstanding that Mrs. Gibson .
appears more and more to possess
he characteristics OF an able roman
,er. Mr.. Mott. special Deputy Attor
will go right ahead I
preparing TO present to the grand
Jury Of Somerset county the case he :
Is building up and in which Mrs.
Gibson is the central figure.
Mott, in taking this attitude.
which f. consistent with his state .
ment OF the other day that the case
IS no longer a mystery. though it re- 7
mains a complex case. sides with {
Prosecutor Stricken of Middlesex ]
county and differs with Prosecutor {
Beekman OF Somerset coun-
Iy, who. finally. asked that the At {
Office intervene and I
AXE over the case.