The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-11-20
STAKES FORTUNE
Rich Mother of Mrs. de SaulleS
Ready to Spend All.
Trial Promises to Become
Worlds Most Expensive.
FIGHT FOR SON ON, TOO
De Saulles Family Also Rich
and Ready to Fight.
Defendant Got Divorce in 1916
From Man She Killed.

New York, Nov 2O-The trial of
Mrs. Blanca Errazuriz De Saulles.
noted as Chile's most beautiful heiress
for the murder of her husband, John
L. de Saulles, former Yale football
star, society and clubman, at The
Box the De Saulles home at Hemp
stead Plains, L. l., on the night of
August 8, gives promise of becoming
the worlds most expensive murder
trial
Mrs De Saulles's mother, Mrs.
Blanca Vergara de ErraZuriZ, and her
son are here aiding Mrs. De Saulles.
They have unlimited means Mrs. Err
raZuriz has declared that she would
spend her entire fortune, estimated
at 100000 il. defending her
daughter, and securing for her the
custody of her son, John de Saulles, jr
The De Saulles are also prepared to
spend a fortune in their efforts to
retain the custody of the boy.
Romantic COurtship.
The romance of De Saulles and the
young Chilean heiress at one time in
terested two continents. Prior to his
marriage to the beautiful Chilean, De
SaulleS had twice been reported en-
gagged. He declared his intsntion of
remaining a bachelor, insisting that
the rumors of his engagement were
started by college friends as a joke.
In 1910, De Saulles bearing letters
of introduction that paved his way to
the most exclusive society circles, went
to South America as the Chilean rep
resentat1ve of the South American
Concessions company.
Within a few months after he met
Blanca ErraZuriz he proposed. Paren-
tai objections are said to have inter-
fered, however, and the mother and
daughter went to Paris. De Saulles
III them French Il,
and within a few months, overcame
the objections of Mrs ErraZuriz, ans
the couple were married in Paris.
With his young bride, she was then
but slightly more than 16, De Saulles
returned to New York.
Named Dancer in Divorce Suit.
In July, 1915, Mrs. De Saulles
brought an action for divorce in the
New York supreme court, naming
Joan Sawyer, the dancer, and asking
tie custody of the little boy. During
the divorce trial evidence was pre-
scented that De SaulleS and the dancer
had spent much time together.
In December, 1916, Mrs. De Saulles
was granted a divorce and $500
month alimony. The alimony was to
be cut in half in case Mrs. De SaulleS
remarked. She asked complete Gus
tody of her son and permission to
take him to South America and Lon
don. This was denied. Judge Pendle
ton ordering that until the war ended,
and the submarine danger was over
the boy was not to be taken from
this country.
Mrs. De Saulles was given the Gus
tody of the boy for seven months of
the year. De Saulles was to have his
son the other five months. The de-
cree further ordered that when the
child became eight years old his ia
Their was to have entire control of
his education.
Dispute Over Possession of Boy.
Mrs. De SauIles sought a modifica-
ton of the decree and in filing her
affidavit to the court said 1T is an
extremely painful position to be placed
in. I must either give up my child
and let him remain here or give up
my mother and my friends in Chile"
Later it was announced that De
Saullts and his former wife had
reached an agreement out of court
whereby both would have the custody
of the boy at agreed intervals.
On the night of August 8, Mrs. De
Saulles left her home at Roslyn, L. l.,
driving to the Hampstead home of
De Saulles. Witnesses say that Mrs.
De Saulles demanded of her husband,
that he Immediately return the child
to her. 1t is said De Saulles remind
ed her of their agreement and said
she must live up to it.
A spirited quarrel ensued. De
SaulleS rose to enter the house. 1t is
supposed Mrs. De Saulles believed he
intended to spirit the child away. As
De Saulles entered the house five
shots were fired. The shots entered
De Saulles' back and side. He was
rushed to the hospital and died thirty
minutes later.
Officers hurriedly summoned by
members OF the De Saulles household
found Mrs. De Saulles on the lawn.
The officers say Mrs. De Saulles adj
mitted the shooting, saying she shot
her husband because The failed to
keep his promise and return our son
to me-"
Mrs. De Saulles was taken to the
Nassau county Jail at Mineola and
charged with the murder. From the
first day of her arrest she pleaded
for visit from her son, the innocent
cause of the shooting. For several
days the whereabout of the boy was
a mystery, and not until attorneys for
Mrs De Saulles threatened court pro-
ceedings was the child taken to his
mother.
Later. acting upon a petition from
the boys uncle, Charles A. H. De
Saulles, Surrogate Robert Fowler
signed an order directing Mrs De
Saulles to show cause why the petit
toner could not be appointed general