Description: Jail Henry Stevens with His Kinsmen - Another Brother of Mrs. Hall is Unable to Hold Alibi

Date: September 16 1926

Newspaper published in: Danville, Va.

Page/Column: 1/6

Jail Henry Stevens with His Kinsmen - Another Brother of Mrs. Hall is Unable to Hold Alibi

Somerville, N.J., Sept. 16. Henry STEVENS, fire arms expert, today joined his brother, Willie and cousin Henry de LaB CARPENDER (Carpenter?) in the Somerset County jail on charges of murdering the Rev. Edward WHEELER and Mrs. Eleanor MILLS whose bodies were found 4 years ago this morning.

The slain rector's three relatives by marriage and his widow, Mrs. Francis Stevens HALL, were indicted for the murder yesterday as one of the last acts of the April grand jury, which will probably consider evidence against other persons before it is superseded Tuesday by the September grand jury.

The four indicted yesterday will be arraigned tomorrow afternoon. The prosecution will make an effort to have Mrs. HALL's bail increased. She has been out on $15,000 bail.

After the indictments were returned, Special Prosecutor Alexander SIMPSON said ‘There are some questions of perjury which may be presented to this grand jury."

He refused to name the individuals concerned, but he revealed that while Ralph V. GORSLINE, former vestryman in Dr. HALL's church, was testifying, a grand juror arose and said "Isn't there some way in which that man can be punished for perjury?"

GORSLINE and Miss Catherine RASTALL (Hastall/Hastell?), formerly a member of the choir led by Mrs. MILLS, recently disclosed after 4 years of denials that they were within 300 yards of the murder. GORSLINE said he told the grand jury he has "seen as well as heard something" that night.

Miss HASTELL also testified before the grand jury.

There were several surprise witnesses among the twenty that appeared before the grand jury, although the prosecutor claims to have placed only half his case before the minutes after hearing evidence.

One of the surprise witnesses was John STILLWELL, employed by the undertaker who buried Dr. HALL. STILLWELL is said to have told the grand jury that when Mrs. HALL raised her veil at the funeral, he saw scratches on her left cheek.

Mrs. Marie DAMAREST, another surprise witness, is said to have told the jury she once overhead GOSLINE threaten Mrs. MILLS with disclosures to Mrs. HALL of her love affairs with the clergyman. She also attacked the alibi of Henry STEVENS that has stood for four years, saying she had seem him in New Brunswick the morning after the murder when he claims to have been fishing.

The Rev. Paul B. HAMBORGSKY, a Hungarian minister, said Dr. HALL told him of threats made against him.

STEVENS, who has been under surveillance since the recent re-opening of the investigation, was arrested in Lavallette. "Well," he said, "that's their side of the story. I have my own."

Attorneys for the defendants declared they would welcome a chance to prove in open court their client's innocence.

Mr. SIMPSON indicated that every effort would be made to get the trial over before Christmas. Several days ago he said he hoped to get the case before a jury the first week in November, if the court calendar permits.