The Washington times., 1910-03-20
Wealthy Relatives Aid Wife
in Effort TO Clear Away
Scandal.
FARMERS TOO BUSY
FOR JURY SERVICE
Sayler Trial at Watseka, ILL.,, Prom
ises to Be Absorbing Real
Life Drama.

WATSEKA. Ill, March 20-Appar-
emily unable to sect g a jury of far
mers al spring plowing time" to hear
the evidence in the Sayler murder trial.
Judge Dorrance Dibell. Of the circuit
court. has turned 10 the villages and
towns of Iroquois county. and deputy
sheriffs are busy today sUmmCning
new panel OF ninety business ana pro
fessional men. From these 1t IS ex-
pected to complete the jury Monday.
Greatest interest centers about Mrs
Lucy Sayler, widow of the victim and
Dr. w r. Miller. Mrs. Sayler's close
friend, who. with John c. Grunden.
Mrs. Sayler's father, are charged with
killing Banker John Byron Sayler in his
Crescent City home. July 4. 1893.
Attention also is directed to Miss
Coda Sayler, eighteen-yea--old daugh-
ter Of the dead man. and Mrs. Cora
Miller. wife Of Or. Miller.
Despite all the gossip Of intimacy
between her husband and Mrs. Sayler,
Mrs. Miller has remained not only the
unfinching friend and ally Of her hus-
band. but also the intimate of Mrs.
Sayler and Miss Sayler.
Both Mrs Miller and Golda Sayler
declare that Mrs. Sayier is innocent of
any completely in the death of SayloT
and Insist that Dr. Miller Killed the
banker in self-defense during a fight.
Would Remove Scandal
So successful has Mrs. Miller been
IN advancing the cause Of her husband
and Mrs. Savler. that she has brought
Dr. r &. Pierce, of Harrisburg, Pa,
her wealthy ,brother-in-law, to Wat
seka prepared TO sperd his last dollar
in an effort TO clear The prisoners.
Looming Up back OF these active al
lies Of the defendants is the silent but
effective support Of Pete Weast
Peoria = millionaire saloon man dnc
brOtheT-in-law of Mrs Sayler, who may
be brought in rs witness al the trial
Set firmly against these people anC
,heir friends are the six brothers ane
two sisters OF the dead man. who as
sert that John Sayler was plotted
against deliberately and murdered by
his wife and Dr. Miller because Of th'
PHYSICIANS attachment for the woman
Typical Of the pros porous, lntelliEen
farming community. the residents o.
WauSeka and vicinity hold strong views
regarding many Of the things that Mrs
Lucy Sayler did IN the years which
preceded the murder of her husband
Spent Much Money.
Mrs. Sayler wore expensive tailored
garments. rode a Kentucky saddler
purchased many varieties of guns, as
she was passionately fond Of duck
shooting. made frequent trips 10 Peoria
and Chicago and also toured Europe.
All the time she was doing these
things her neighbcrs Cossipcd regard
ing her husband receiving only salary
although he was vice president Of IN,
Crescent City Bank. His estate wa,
comparatively small. Mrs. Sayler tOiC
her neighbOrs that her genial brother
in-law. Pete" Weast. of Peoria. gave
her large sums OF money because Sh'
was his favorite relative. Then came
the friendship with Dr. Miller. and fol
two years the physician and the bank
or's wife were almost constantly 20
Eether. The two went on long hunting
isunts together and also were seen a
different times in Chicago and Peoria.
The Sunday night that Dr. Miller sh0
and killed Sayler in the 5ayler Gotta &c
the gossip regarding the woman anC
the physician became openly bitter anC
continued so for some weeks. Within
the last few weeks, however, there hal
heen some reaction and now at time
some sym pathy f. expressed for the wo
man who has grown thin and carewou
in the county jail.