The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1910-03-14
Famous Illinois Killing
Is Being Heard in
Watseka.
WIFE AND MILLER
ACCUSED OF DEED
III S tory of Sensational
Crime, Said to Have
Been Justified.


cases of DR.. William A. Miller, Mrs ].
B. Sayler and John Grunden, indicted
for the murder of J. B. Sayler, banker
at Crescent City, H., Sunday, July II,
was called in the Iroquois county court
for trial today.
The state will answer ready and 1t
seems probable the defense has agreed
to go to trial.
So far the defense has not shown
its hand, but the belief is general here
that it will be content to allow a jury
of Iroquois county citizens to pass
on the case.
There has been no murder in Him
ols in quarter of century which has
attracted so much attention as the
Sayler murder.
j. B. Sayler was a wealthy banker
living at Crescent City, eight miles
from here. Lucy Sayler, his wife, the
central figure in the tragedy which
broke up two homes, went to Crescent
City many years ago as the bride of
the banker. Her beauty and vivacious-
ness attracted large circle of friends.
DR.. William A. Miller, young
physician, came to Crescent City from
Pennsylvania He and Mrs. Sayler were
thrown much in each others company.
Mrs. Sayler accompanied the physician
on riding trips and her husband knew
this
Early last year Miller's friendship
for Mrs. Saylor is alleged to have been
Of Saylor went to him and advised
him, for the sake of his daughter, to
put a stop to their acquaintance.
Neighbors say that there were
many harsh words between them, but
no open rupture until the evening of
July II. 1t is stated that early on
this evening Sayler and his wife had
prolonged argument which ended by
Sayler leaving the house for several
hours. When he returned, DR.. Miller,
John and Ira Grunden, father and
brother of Mrs. Sayler, were at the
bankers home. Sayler seated himself
in the front yard and at about IL
o'clock, so testimony at the inquest
showed, he was called into the house to
join in a game of cards.
What actually transpired after he
entered that room was not made clear.
1t was established that Sayler was
found dead some time later, and Dr.
Miller admitted he shot him, saying
he acted in self defense.
At the inquest, it was alleged that
when Sayler opened the door he took
up an ak from the parlor floor and
started toward Doctor Miller. The con-
dition of the room indicated that they
fought desperately. There was blood
on every chair and walls and pictures
were bespattered and there were two
bullet holes found in the walls. Say
ler's body was found wedged behind
couch, where witnesses say he fell af-
ter receiving the mortal wound.
AS near as could be determined by
the coroner the shooting occurred be-
tween II and II o'clock and about two
hours later the sheriff was notified at
his home in Watseka. He drove to
Crescent City at once, and placed Mrs.
Sayler, Doctor Miller and the Grun-
dens under arrest.
The inquest was held two days later
and excitement was intense. A great
crowd Of people surrounded the jail
at Watseka and hooted and cursed the
accused and demanded their lives, but
the sheriff dispersed the crowd.
On the night of the murder Mrs.
Continued On Page Five)