The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-07-13
ALL -FOUR IN JAIL SOME GOOD IDEAS
Wife Of Sayer Father n Burgess Discusses Real
and Brother Estate Advertising
Are Held His Be Original Is War Cry of
Murder by DR.. Miller. His Campaign
WHOLE PARTY DRUNK DON'T FOOL PEOPLE
When Returned Take Pains Describing Prop
to His Home. erty For Sale.
He Slayer Engaged Doest Believe in Bargain Sale
Fight n the Dark. Plan.
Wife Of J.B. Sayler, Her Father
and Brother
Are Held as Accessories to His
Murder by DR.. Miller.
WHOLE PARTY DRUNK
When the Dead Man Returned
to His Home.
He and His Slayer Engaged in
q Fight in the Dark.

Watseka, Ill, July 13.-Excitement
increases here over the killing Of J. B
SayIer, vice president of the First Ma
tionaI bank of Crescent City. ty Dr.
w. R. Miller, a well known physician
On the day OF the tragedy when Mr.
Sayler was absent from hime il is al
legged that Mrs. Sayler. d.. Miller, John
Grunder, father of Mrs. Sdyler, and Ira
Grunder. brother OF Mrs. Sayler, had
been drinking.
This statement was made today by
Ira Grunder, who gave himself up to
the sheriff. Grunder said ne had been
overcome by the effect of the drink
and was asleep when tho shooting be-
gan. So deep was his slunber, he de-
clared. that even the shots and ensuing
confusion did not awaken HIM
DR.. Miller, both Grunders and Mrs.
Sayler are in Jail. Peter Weaz, broth
er-in-law of Mrs. Sayler. has arrived
to assist her.
Miller is held on the charge of muir
der. The others as accessories.
Sayler was shot and killed by DR. w
r. Miller, a physician, during fight IL
Sayler residence Sunday night 1t Is
said that Sayler returned to his home
after a visit out of town and was
killed after he had trapped the physi-
clan and his wife together. The shoot
ing was not made public until Monday
Both the physician and the women
were bound over for trial by the coz
oner's jury, the former for the death
of the banker and the latter as aeces-
sorry
Details of the occurrences leading
up to the murder differ. It is said by
some that the death of the banker
was planned by the woman and physi-
clan, while both of them, testifying at
the inquest said the shooting was
done BY the physician in self defense.
The woman was defiant While on the
stand and seemed to be unconcerned
about the tragedy. She was asked
why she had not aided her husband
and her only answer was:
"It was none of my business, and L
let them fight it out"
Other witnesses at the hearing add
ed TO this proof of the apparent heart
lessness of the widow, when thew tes-
titled that, following the shooting af-
fray, she telephone for a physician to
dress the slight wound Miller received
in the fight and then made a cup of
coffee for him, while the body of her
husband lay unattended in the next
room.
The power which succeeded in
keeping the entire matter quiet for a
day also has been effective in prevent
ing full details as to the shooting from
reaching the public. 1t is certain,
hoNever. that Mr.. SayIer has known
for several years of the relation said
to exist between his wife and the
physician. 1t is said he often has
COmpldlneQ TO neTs DuI never mas
taken any public action in the matter.
Sunday afternoon Mr.. Sayler at
tended a ball game outside Of town.
Returning home late at night, he
found Miller at his home in company
with Mrs Sayler. The husband stop
ped outdoors for a few minutes and
they asked him to come in to play
game of cards, but he refused. Later,
1t is said. he entered the house and
began upbraiding the couple for their
conduct, which he said was arousing
much gossip in Crescent City.
Almost at the start of the fight, wit
nesses say, the table on which the
lamp stood was overturned and the
room plunged into darkness. The
two men continued to struggle, and
the physician pulled an automatic
revolver and began to fire. Even then
the woman made no cutlery so far a s
could be heard in neighboring houses.
The banker was wounded four
times. The bullets took effect in
both of his arms. one passed through
the chest and a fourth pierced his
heart. causing instant death. During
the shooting Mrs. Say1er fed to the
street, but returned as soon as it was
over,