Girls, What Is It About September?????????????

Can you believe, darlings, we are almost halfway through this month???? What is about it that makes it so disparate in its happenings???? Is it the way the planets are aligned???? You have to wonder.

For the events and anniversaries of this month are indeed disparate. Starting with Back To School, the bane of every child's existence. But September is also the Feast Of San Gennarro in New York (which starts tomorrow, darlings), "Frank Mills" day, and the Coming of Fall, when Prosperina Goes Back To Hell!!!!! Then there are of course, the September 11 terrorist attacks, and, last year, the death of Tyler Clementi on the 22nd.

But today is a nearly forgotten day, one maybe still remembered by those of a Certain Age who grew up, or still live in, Middlesex or Somerset Counties in New Jersey. For, eighty nine years ago tonight, out on De Russey's Lane, what today is now Franklin Boulevard, the Hall-Mills murder was committed.

The facts can be barely stated. The Reverend Edward Hall, an Episcopal church minister in New Brunswick, was found to be having an adulterous relationship with one of his congregants--a Mrs. Eleanor Mills, who also sang in the church choir.

Honey, let me tell you, first off, the players in this drama, were not much to look at. To my parents' generation, this case became, in a way the "Black Dahlia" of its time and area--it was sensational, gruesome, and is still an unsolved case.

While he was still an up and coming lawyer, William Kunstler wrote a book about it, called "The Minister And The Choir Singer." In it, he cited the couple were murdered by a New Jersey chapter of the Ku Klux Klan, who were on a moral crusade against the rather conspicuous adulterous couple.

I heard plenty about the case from my elders growing up, and my paternal grandmother, who made it to 102 (may she rest in peace!) always maintained Willie Stevens did it. I have to agree with her.

Willie Stevens was Mrs. Hall's brother. He was what might be termed a "poor relation," not so much financially, but mentally; Willie did not work because he was what today would be called "slow." And today he would either be institutionalized, or placed in some sort of group home allowing him some semblance of normality. Or as much as he was capable. But in those days, families kept such people who were kin in their homes, looking after them themselves. Shades of Rochester and Bertha in "Jane Eyre."

What has never been clear, even to those who believe Willie was responsible, was if it was intentional, or something that got out of hand.

According to the story, Mrs. Hall discovered a series of letters alluding to the lovers' romantic relationship. She became aware of their trysting place, beneath the crab apple tree, out on De Russey's Lane. She and Willie went out there to confront the pair. "Explain these letters!" she is said to have asked. But what happened next has always been murky--did Willie lose control, or did Mrs. Hall direct him what to do. What we do know, is, as a result of this visit, two people were dead beneath what was to become the most famous crab apple tree in the nation.

The trial was a media circus--with the star of the day being Jane Gibson, who lived on a farm not far from De Russey's Lane, and, because of her livestock, was known as the Pig Woman. No one was convicted, and it was the contention of many that Mrs. Hall and Willie skipped due to familial connections--she was an heiress to the Johnson and Johnson fortune, already a powerful organization in New Brunswick.

Another September event. Will they ever stop coming???? But for sheer durability, you cannot beat this one. It even spawned a silent film based loosely on it, called "The Goose Woman," and starring Constance Bennett. The answer may never be known, and what I have related could be altogether wrong. But, as far as I am concerned, the Raving Queen is satisfied!!!!!!!!!

Papa don't preach, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!