The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-11-21
LiIIiendahI Widow Ready to
Battle Murder Charge;
IS SCOTS at Pity.
'HALL-MILLS' SETTING
Poultry Man and Woman to
Go on Trial Soon in
Doctor Death Case.
BY HORTENSE SAUNDERS
Special NEA Service Writer

Deen conscious Oh WdIlIlIlS oyIupdOAiJs
I never have needed other people
around me-"
Mrs. Margaret Lilliendahl said
that a few weeks ago. Within q
short time she goes to trial here for
the murder of her husband, DR..
william Lilliendahl, under circum-
stances that promise to test to the
fullest her stole spirit of self-re-
lance, in a trial that may stir ma
tional interest to almost the extent
that did the famous Hall-Mills trial,
Priding herself in her aloneness,
as one takes it she does, Mrs. Lii
liendahl must find the setting for
her court battle peculiarly satisfy
ing one. 1t is easy to imagine her
smiling secretly over the manner in
which it BELTS her traits of mind.
One Kinsman as Standby
Willis Beach, poultryman and
former neighbor of the Lilliendahls,
is co-defendant. But as Mrs. Ruth
Snyder and Judd Gray vent sepa-
rate ways in New York's famous
Snyder case of last summer, so there
is reason to believe Mrs Lillendahl
and Beach will not make common
cause at Mays Landing.
Mrs. Lilliendahl'S parents are
dead. Her only son is with relatives;
his mother does not want him to
know what has happened. OF kins-
folk or acquaintance personally ac-
tive in aiding hex there seems to be
but ONE. Sherwood Thompson of
Bridgeport, Conn, her brother.
To Mays Landing and the country
roundabout, Mrs. Lilliendahl is a
stranger. This drowsy, old-fashioned
lower Jersey town is made up OF
people who seem not exactly hostile
to her, but certainly not at all ex-
cited over her predicament.
Mrs. Eilliendahl lived in this Vi
cinity only little more than year
prior to her arrest, and she is not
the sort of person who makes
friends quickly.
Lawyer Tower Of Strength
Robert H. Carter, outstanding New
Jersey lawyer, who defended Mrs.
Frances Hall at Somerville, is about
the only tower of strength on Mrs.
Lilliendahps side so far as person
alitieS go. He is to be her chief
counsel-and in any part of New
Jersey, having McCarter as coun-
sci means much.
There remains a good deal OF
mystery about Willis Beach. He is
q curious character. One moment
since investigation of the murder
started he has been the boaster--
no suspicion possibly could attach
to him. Then he has been the fugi-
tive, hiding while the grand jury
deliberated. Then, more recently, he
has been reported the victim Of
heart attacks and a probable casual
ty if subjected to the stress Of an
open trial.
His brother, Roy Beach, Is one Of
Mays landings most substantial
citizens. The Beach clan, including
oCdCIl . WIG cOllQ
all are -staunch and loyal.
Vineland, where the defendants
live, is center of the chicken in
dustry. Along the spur Of road
where the doctor and Mrs. Lillien-
dahl resided are many prosperous,
middle class homes, including
Beach's.
eyes. I knew her, but not WELL"
a neighbor will tell you, very con-
servatively. "She often went riding
with the doctor. They took long
drives together. No, never heard
of any scandal between her and
Willis Beach"
Skirts Grew Shorter
But there is one who is more
loquacious-Mrs. William Tamber-
lain, the postmistress of South Vine
land, who received and delivered the
Peggy Anderson" letters, sometimes
as many as three a day.
"She was always dolled up in gay
colors, with her skirts getting short
er and shorter till they got to her
knees" was her comment on Mrs.
Lilliendahl. Mrs. sTamberlains own
gingham skirts almost concealed her
ankles.
II never knew she was the doc
tors wife. He used to come in here
for ice cream-fine old man, who
told me ought to have my child's
adenoids taken out. He asked me
about his wife. but never connect
ed her with this gay creature who
used to meet Beach here day after
day and sit for hours with him out
in front in his automobile"
But it was another Mrs. Lillien-
dahl who appeared in court asking
bail, following her indictment. Here
was stern, frowning woman in a
long black velveteen coat, black
hat and black veil, all a bit shabby
but uncompromising
DR.. Lilliendahl, u. was killed on a
lonely road four miles from HAM
monitor, N. j., between II and 1
o'clock in the morning of Sept. Is.
He was shot in the brain and in the
throat with a 80 caliber revolver,
fired at such close range that his
face was powder marked.
His wife told police two Negroes
had stopped the car, taken her jew
elry, robbed the doctor of 5000. and
then murdered him. Most Of the
jewelry later was found near the
scene Of the murder. DR.. LiIlien-
dahl had specialized in care Of mar
cotic adfiicfs