New Britain herald., 1922-09-25
JEALOUS THEORY
 BEING INVESTIGATED
Witnesses in Hall-HilS Affair
 Are Checked

New Brunswick, N. J, Sept. 2b.- The stories of ten persons who said that they saw the Rev. Edward w. Hall and Mrs. Eleanor R. Mills sev- eral times last summer sitting on a bench in the city park, were checked up today by officials who are seek ing the slayer. The park, particular ly the bench which was pointed out to detectives. is not more than a quarter of a mile fro mthe cedar and apple trees under which the bodies were found.
 The bench is in a secluded spot with evergreen trees on all sides and far removed from electric lights. The persons who told the stories said that the minister and the choir singer seemed to head for the bench as If 1t had become by common consent a trysting point for them. Just back of 1t is q knoll from which can be seen the old Phillips farmhouse. one of the central points in the mystery.
 Pearl Banner, the 17 year old girl. who, with Raymond Schneider found the bodies of the rector and the sing CT, was released from custody today when she was arraigned before City Recorder Trindel. It was stated that she was not held because of any pos sible connection with the crime itself but because of a complaint made by her father that she was incorrigible.
 Officials have not yet thrown away the jealousy theory. In fact they state that every new development seems to point in that general direc- ton. They have found nothing to substantiate a blackmail theory which was advanced last week as a possible solution for the crime.
 Another development today was that several persons were found who told of seeing two heavily armed for eigners hanging around New Bruns- wick the day of the shooting.
 Admitting that they have been un- able to make any real headway in the search for the slayers, investigators began today an entirely new inquiry.
 They decided to begin all over in the hope that some clue which will lead them out of the maze of perplex ities may be uncovered. All avail able suggestions have been run down without bringing them any closer to g solution than they were few hours after the bodies were discovered nine days ago under an apple tree near an old abandoned house short distance from New Brunswick.
 They still feel certain that jealousy was the motive which prompted the double killing, but they confess l. 1. !
 Their investigations have disclosed ever increasing evidence of dissension within the church. all pointing to trouble fomented by the reported friendship of the rector and Mrs. Mills and her apparent influence over the minister in his conduct of the church. But they have been unable to find the person or persons who fired the fatal shots.
 Tn fact they have been vpabe to find anyone who saw the couple later than o'clock on Thursday night be- fore the bodies were found Several witnesses have told of seeing both MT. Hall and Mrs. Mills in the Ncin- ity of the spot where the bodies were found
 Raymond Schneider. who with Pearl Banner found the bodies, was to be questioned for a second time today. Schneider and the girl, who said they were looking for mush- rooms when they found the bodies, were closeted with the investigators yesterday for some time, but no an- nouncement was made as to the na- ture of the information obtained from them. The girl was locked up at the request of her father and will be charged with incorrieibility.