Shot in Error.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 December 1922, Page 4

Shot in Error.

NEW YODK. Oct 9. A murder mystery involving the death of t.hc I’cv Edward Wheeler Hall a prominent Episi cpnlinii clergyman, of New Brunswick. Xew Jersey, and Mrs Eleanor Mills, a member id' his church (lioir. was solved to-day in an utterly unexpected fashion. For more than three weeks both the town and the State have been in a commotion owing to the failure of the authorities to discover the authors of the crinm. which it was believed was being purposely bushed up to avoid a clitiroli sea mini. The bodies of the clergyman and the woman wlm the gossips declared was his lover were discovered under an apple .tree in a field outside Xew Brunswick. The discovery was reported to the authorities by a young mail named Baymond Schneider and a 1(1-years-ohl girl Pearl Balmier, who stated that they stumbled over the bodies while they were out in the country for a walk.

Suspicion unjustly fell on the rector’s wife, a woman of distinguished family. It* was alleged that jealousy was the reason for iho crime, and Mrs Hall was the subject of scores of calumnious stories.

Fearing a deliberate frustration of justice the Governor of the State a few days ago mobilised the whole of the detective force. The result is that to-day Schneider and another youth mimed Clifford llnyes. 19. have- been arrested. Schneider told the authorities that In' was infatuated with Pearl Balmier whom he suspected of having an illicit affair with a luiddlu-nged man whose identity was not disclosed, lie induced his chum Hayes to follow a couple into tho fields and saw them under the apple tree. Haves, according to Schneider’s account, whispered. “AVe’ll fix them.” pulled out a revolver, and tired two shots. The young men then rushed to the victims and found that they had murdered the rector and his (lioir singer instead of Pearl Balmier and her supposed lover. They ran home in panic. Schneider continued. Next day Schneider and Bahmer strolled in the field, pretended to discover the bodies, and reported the discovery to tho police. Hayes, when informed of Schneider’s Minfession, vigorously denied its truth.