Martinsburg journal. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1920-1977, 1922-09-20
PISTOL AND BULLET
RIDDlED' HANDkER-
Chief ARE FOUND

New Brunswik, n. j., Sept. 90
That the double murder of Rev. Dr.
Hall. wealthy rector Of the Episco-
pal Church of st. John the Evangel-
ist and his choir leader. Mrs Flea.
nor Mills was committed In the cen
tury old Phillips homestead
haunted house"-at midnight was a
theory upon which the Somerset
county authorities were working to-
day. The old Phillips homestead
was believed to have been deserted.
1t was isolated and no one ever Wis.
tied it. But after the murder. it was
found to have been furnished and
recently occupied
Was "Trystina Place"
The new theory is that, owing to
its loneliness and the fact that il
was summed. the clergyman con-
ceHed the idea of fixing up the
house as a "trysting place" in which
to meet Mrs. Mills after night-fall
The bodies of the victims Of the
double tragedy were found under an
ample tree. not far from the house.
The ancient farm house is under
guard Of state police today and no
one is allowed to enuer except upon
permission by County Prosecutor
Bcekman
Screams From House.
The frantic screams which Mr.. and
Mrs. Harry heard at midnight Thurs
day came from the direction of the
haunted house" It is supposed
that the clergyman and Mrs. Mills
were lured to the Phillips home
stead byphone.
There in the spooky old farm
house in the pitchy darkness of mid
night, the couple were confronted, it
is supposed by accusers Of their
guilt. Continuing this theory the
clergyman and Mrs Mills were first
upbraiGed and then shot down.
There were no signs of a struggle
at the spot whore the bodies were
found lying side by side on the
grass. indicating that the murder
had taken place elsewhere.
The pistol and bullet riddIed
woman's handkerchief discovered by
the police are believed to have been
found between the spot where the
bodies rested and the farm house.
When the house was searched /,
was found to he srrupulously' chean
it had been vacant for
nearly year SO far as can be
learned no lights were ever seen IN
the house and no one ever was seen
to enter or leave by daylight.
Net Fast CLOSING In.
The net which has been laid to
ensnare the slayer or slayers is fast
closing in, It was believed that an
arrest would have been made be-
fore this time, but the authorities
aid not deem the evidence sufficient.
Assistant Prosecutor John Toulan
in an informal conversation with re.
porters said he expected an arrest
soon but would not indicate whether
it would be a man or woman.
Much depends upon two lines OF
inquiry:
First-To discover the owner Of
the pistol
Second-To determine if the per,
son who owned the pistol was the
owner Of the handkerchief.
The authorities also attach con.
siderable importance to Halls tele-
phone conversation on Thursday
night, before he left his home, never
o return.
After hearing the conversation Of
he person who called him, the
Clergyman replied:
"Oh, yes. Well, was going to
he church anyway, Yes-well,
.hink I can arrange that too"
Investigation OF the ownership Of .
he mystery farmhouse showed that ,
t had been purchased by Joseph S.
Porter, Of this city, officer of a local /
)ank, that is trustee Of the S15Q000 /
state of Willie Stevens, half broth
r Of the slain clergyman's wife.