Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1910-03-14
Case Is Called This Morning
and Promises to Be One of
Most Famous in Recent
Years.
MONEY, BEAUTY AND LOVE
Aged Banker Is Killed by DIR. Will
liam Miller, Who Is Friend of
Mrs. Sayler-Latter Claims Sayler
Attacked Him With Ak, and He
Killed in SeIf-Defense.

Killed in Self-Defense.
Watseka, Ills, March 14-The
| second trial of r. r. Miller. Mrs. j.
B. Saylor and her father, John
Crunden, which was to have started
early today was delayed until this
afternoon by the failure of Judge
Dbel of Joliet, to arrive here on
time.
The courthouse was thronged with
persons interested in the famous
case and feeling among adherents
of the prosecution and defense is in
tense.
The state will answer ready and
it 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
jury of Iroquois county citizens to
pass on the case.
There has been no murder in Illi-
nois in a quarter of a century which
has attracted so much attention as
the Sayler murder.
j. B. Sayler was wealthy
banker living at Crescent City, eight
miles from here. Lucy Sayler his
wife, the central figure in the trag
edy which broke up two homes, went
TO oaCresoent City many years ago as
the bride of the banker. Her
beauty and vivacity attracted large
circle of friends.
DR.. William A. Miller, a young
physician, came to Crescent City
from Pennsylvania. He and Mrs.
Sayler were thrown much in each
others company. Mrs. Sayler accom-
panied the physician on riding trips
and her husband knew this.
Early this year Miller's friendship
for Mrs. Sayler is alleged to have
been commented upon, and it is said
friends of Sayler went to him and
advised him, for the sake of his
daughter, to put stop to their ac-
quaintance.
Neighbors say that there were
many harsh words between them,
but no open rupture until the even
ing of July Il. 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 return
ed, DR.. Miller, John and Ira Grun-
den, father and brother of Mrs. Say
Ter, were at the bankers house. Say
Ter seated himself in the front yard
and at about II O'Clock, so testi-
mony 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 Say
ler 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
grabbed an ak from the parlor floor |
and started toward DR.. Miller. The |
condition of the room indicated that |
hey fought desperately. There was
blood on every chair and walls and |
pictures were bespattered, and there |
we're two bullet holes found in the
walls. Sayler's body was found
Yedged behind a couch, where wit
lesses say he fell after receiving the
Mortal wound.
As near as could be determined by
he coroner, the shooting occurred
between IL and 2 O'Clock and about
wo hours later the sheriff was noti-
led at his home In Watseka. He
rove 70 Crescent City at once and
laced Mrs. Sayler, DIR. Miller and
he Grundens under arrest.
The inquest was held two days
ater and excitement was intense. A
reat crowd of people surrounded
he Jail at Watseka and hOoted and
ursed the accused and demanded
her lives, but the sheriff dispersed
he crowd
On the night of the murder Mrs.
ayler stated that her husband was
D blame for the tragedy. She stood
y DR.. Miller at every point. She
TO Watseka for a physi-
ian 10 come and dress his wounds.
When arrested She was in bed,
eigning sleep. She told a discOn-
ected story at that time, but the
ext day. said that Miller was COM
elled TO kill her husband 10 save
Is own life. She has not contra
icted this story since.
GOldie Sayler 16-year-Old daugh-
er OF the murdered man, came TO
be rescue OF her mother. She told
the threats which had been mad !
" her father against both Miller /
nd her mother and said she was
lad he was dead Later she said she /
Ould help the prosecution and en-
eavOr 10 secure a conviction OF her /
lther's slayed. She was sent to the 1
-sidence Of her grandmother az
lunton, lad she remained there Z