New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1926-11-20
Mrs. Hall and willie"
Stevens Also Will Tes-
tify in Attempt to Re-
flute Allegations Of
State.
Today's First Witness Tells
Court This is His 57th
Birthday - Was Trap
shooting Expert for
Remington Arms Co.

! Courthouse, Somerville, N. =.
Nov. 20 tP - Henry Stevens who
Is a defendant with his sister and
brother in the Hall-Mills murder
trial, took the witness stand ia
testify In his own behalf on OPEN
ing OF court this morning. He was
the hrst of the defendants to be-
called
Others to Testify Too
Mrs Frances Stevens Hall and
Willie Stevens, the two other de-
PENDANTS, will take the stand later.
Inc three are being tried for the
murder of Mrs. Eleanor r. Mills
cholr singer, who was slain four
years ago with Mrs. Mills husband.
the Rev. Edward W. Hall, who was
pastor of one of New Brunswick,s
leading churches.
henry stevens as a witness failed
10 draw any such crowds as flock.
ed to the courthouse corridors. ana
even flowed to the outside of tha
building when Mrs. Jane Gibson.
states star witness, testified from
her sickbed on, Thursday.
1t was 1907 o'clock when Stew.
ems began his testimony.
How old are you, Mr.. Steyens7~
asked Clarence E. Case, of defense
counsel.
His 57th Birthday
flfty-seven years; this happens
TO be my birthday" answered
Stevens.
Inc witness spoke in an easy man
ner, but explained he was slightly
fard OF hearing. He told of having
been born in New Brunswick, where
he lived until 1890. Then he lived
IN Roselle Park, N. j., for a few
months, where he was married. Later
ne moved to Layallette, N. j., where
he now lives.
During the life of his father Mr..
Stevens said he lived in an anart-
ment in New York city during the
winter months. Upon his fathers
death, in 1922, he began making
bis home in Lavallette the yesr
around.
The witness had some difficulty
remembering the year he gave I'M
his New York apartment. In previ,
Gus statements he had said he went
from the Hall home, after the fu-
neral OF the Rev. Mr.. Hall, to New
York to arrange for closing his
apartment there,
What had been your business"
asked Mr. Case.
Was Expert Marksnlan
IT retired in 1920" said Mr..
Stevens. Previous to that 1 taught
people the art OF trapshootinE at
Atlantic City. Previous to that
was with the Remington Arms com.
pany"
What was your work with the
latter company"
Demonstrating trapshootine, call.
ing on dealers. ETC."
IN your work with the Remipe.
ton Arms company. did you have to
do with shotguns?"
Yes.
did the Remington Arms com-
pany make pistols?"
Mo-, the witness answered. but
he then recalled that the company
did manufacture an old-fashioned
pistol which they had sold for about
100 years in the south.
Knew About Pistols
Have you any knowledge Of pis.
tols?" asked Case.
Yes. replied the witness "our
company made cartridge for pistols
and ! had to know about them"
Il had one about rs years ago.
but gave it away before 1915"
Have you owned any small fire.
arms since them"
Bought Gun For Mrs. Hall
TN 1924. l brought a .3S calibre
automatic for Mrs. Stevens"
Before that did you own any re-
volver?"
II had one in 1891 or 1892"
From 1915 to 1924 did you have
any,"
No"
The defense was going thoroughly
into the subject of small firearms,
as Mrs. Mills was shot three times
in the head with 80 calibre pistol.
The witness said he had not fired a
pistol in Is years
your experience has been with
shotguns?"
Yes" answered witness.
During the direct examination
Mrs Hall moved over to the defense
counsel table SO she could get q
clear view on her brother on the
witness stand.
Stevens explained that to go from
Lavallette to New Brunswick by
railroad. 1t was necessary to change
trains at Sea Girt. Brunswick, and
then at Monmouth Junction.
What is the distance between
Lavallette and New Brunswick by
road?" .
approximately fifty miles" an-