The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1910-03-18
TRAGEDY Of HOME
IS REVEALED BY
MURDER TRIAL
Bitter Lesson for Men and Women
Is Drawn in Case of Mrs. Sayler and
DR.. Miller, Accused of Murder
ing Her Husband.
Does Platonic Love Payi Answer in
This Case Now in Court
Is, No
BY THOS. r. kISAR.


WATSEKA, ILL.,. March 1S.-"There
WAS only a platonic affection between
DIR. Miller and myself II is a wicked
lie 10 say that such friendship be-
tween man and woman Is impossible.
Or. Miller. as the friend OF my hus-
land. took me out riding, hunting and
fishing. My husband often urged ME
10 go and frequently went with us, as
aid Or. Miller's wife, sometimes" sobs
Banker Sayler's widow. in her dismal
cell I'm the WatsGka jail.
My friendship Tor Peter Weast OF
Peoria, was the same as that for DE-.
Miller. He took ME TO Europe and We
stayed there several months. Part oil
the time was spent at the Paris expo
s.tion, My husband did not object.
Platonic friendship. Lax domestic
relations, A husband in the back.
ground. innocent or not, IL all reads
mt" the 1rst chapter of a shudderng
lome tragedy--a tragedy that is also
lesson 10 men ami women everywhere.
In Crescent CITY. this county, ara
two homes broken forever. hns-
band done 10 death A wife and hus-
bilu OH tIldl IOi lHtlI lNtb An Nv
nocent girl who must listen to the de-
;ails regarding her mother which
eruelling prosecution for murder Will
bring forth
Crescent City is not a large pla2e.
but II had its best society" In II
moved the banker o. the town. Byron
: Sayler. and his wife. Or. VIM. *.
Miller was the most prominent ply
5cian OF Crescent City, tall and hand
some and-marriCu. He was social
hon.
One starry night last July there was
O terrible commotion at the bankers
beautiful home. There were load
voices. curses shots. and when morn
Ing came DR.. Miner was in the city
idil charged with the murder of Byron
sayler, while Mrs. Seyler occupied an
other cell. accused OF neing his &C.
,omplice.
Now they are both on trial for first
tlegree murder There was hard
fight for "A jury, because IL the verdict
"a guilty as charged" is returned. DR..
Miller and Mis- Sayler will be hanged.
!lere is what the prosecuting attorney
Is trying to prove:
That Mrs. Say,er had ceased 10 love
her husband: that the affection she
)nce had for him had been transferred
@ Dr. Miller. the man whom the hus-
oand had often entertained as guest
ana had treated as friend. Neigh
3ors began talking about the intimacy
between the bankers beautiful wire
aud the popular doctor, and the nus
Dand grew morosc and jealous.
Having forbidden DR.. Miller's COM
Ing 10 his home, by" Sayler. as he
was popularity called. was surprised
to find him there when he unexpected
IL crossed his own threshold that July
night. He became livid with anger
and crazed tor revenge. There Wete
loud arguments, and harsh words; the
tanker threatened the man whom be
1lain.ed had ruined his homeland he
vas shot Shot four times by DR.
Miller" says the states attorney.
Miller claims seif-defense-that Say
Ter was rushing at him with Ratchet.
Mrs. Sayler and her 74-year-olc
hther are charged with having aided
tnd abetted the murder. The state
,,ill prove that while her husband lay
lead for hours upon the floor, mis-
..idow was busy caring for the trifilng
Tor him she prepared cup OF Gomez,
nnmindiul OF the tact that the fataer
If her young daughter lay murdered In
1he next room.
She admits it. but adds: By was
lead. could nor help him.
A year ago Lucy Sayler was beau
iful. care free. pleasure-seeking young
antron. Today she appears Jail
worn. wrinkled and broken woman.
Then a petted social leader. Queen y?
bohemia" In the exclusive circles OF
Peoria and Watseka where she fire.
luently visited now Inundated. heart
broken, Kissed by her former friends
as Sic enters the courtroom.
II can't believe they think OF hang
ing me-" says Mrs. Sayler In her cel.
81 am NOT guilty. But those Kisses.
Why. those people. many OF whom
nave helped when they were in DIS
,ress ana want: acquaintance who
have dined at my table: friends wnom
I have always welcomed at my homo
with open arms and now-oh they
,urn and snarl a ave as would cow
- - 81 mo wolves -