Yager - J. William
Source: Indianapolis Star Mon 30 April 1906 p 5
Lafayette, Ind April 29 – Dr. J William Yager, a well known resident and practicing physician of this county died at his home in Otterbein, 14 miles west of this city tonight at 7:20 o’clock. Death was due to anemia. The deceased was 52 years old. He graduated at the Keokuk IA Medical College and practiced medicine in West Lafayette for several years. Dr. Yager figured prominently in the celebrated Petitt murder case in 1889 being the physician of Mrs. Petitt who, it was alleged, came to her death by poison administered by her husband, the Rev. William S. Petitt, at that time a minister at Shawnee Mound, a small town south of this city. The Rev. Mr. Petitt was convicted and served a long time, finally dying on the day the Supreme Court reversed the decision of the Tippecanoe Circuit Court by granting him a new trial. Dr. Yager was one of the chief witnesses for the State whose testimony led to the conviction of Petitt. – kbz