Gary Herrity
Special to the Herald
Sat, May 17 2008
—
In 1941, a family by the name of Sadler moved from Belle Plaine, Iowa, to Clinton.
Mr. Sadler worked for years on the railroad. Now that times were improving from the Depression Era, he took a new position with the Chicago Northwestern here.
There were four sons and two daughters to uproot and bring to Clinton. The Sadlers, Ed and Elsie, were hard-working folks who lived on south Fourth Street, near the Old Dutch Mill — with its big red cone over the door. They were well thought of and all their children were bright and ambitious.
Their oldest, Robert Sadler, graduated from Clinton High School in 1942, at age 16. He went to work on the railroad for a year and then, at age 17, enlisted and began a distinguished Air Force career.
Bob and wife, Kathleen, raised six children in the service and, despite needing to move frequently, all would become college graduates.
Years later, when informed his dad was being honored by the family’s hometown of Belle Plaine, son Michael remarked, “Mom Sadler (Elsie) should be the one honored!”— for raising two girls and four boys who succeeded so well in life.
Bob was a jovial fellow, known to break into the song “I’m from I-O-Way!” often.
He was a well-liked navigator and rose through the ranks (with service in navigation during WWII, Korea, and Viet Nam) to head an Air Force global communications network… after achieving his electrical engineering degree at the University of Colorado and graduating from the Air War College in the 1960s.
General Sadler was a lynchpin in the important DEW Line defense system guarding America, and was one of five key Air Force generals at the time of his retirement. He received the seldom-awarded honor of “The Order of the Sword,” and distinctions too numerous to list. His picture hangs with honor in the Pentagon, and the Air Force gives a “top communicator” award each year that is named for him.
After retiring from the military in 1979, Robert Sadler became Vice President of Magnavox of northern Virginia. His life was successful and serene. Unfortunately, that life was shattered when, in 1984, Kathleen, his beloved wife of 33 years, succumbed to cancer. Till then, no man could’ve asked for a happier life.
The General was sad and lonely for nearly two years. Missing his dear wife, he passed the time reading … including romantic “want ads” in local papers. One ad caught his attention —
ATTRACTIVE, PETITE, BLOND — Widow of Senior Military Officer, Young 49, Intelligent, Romantic. Sensitive, loyal, sense of humor, excellent hostess, published author, world traveler, multitude of interests, travel, politics, hiking, and much more. SEEKS successful doctor, lawyer, senior executive, military officer, or politician, seeking a true love. Have never been in a singles bar nor participated in singles organizations. Believes that the great love of my life is in the Washington, D.C., area. Do not hesitate to respond.
She seemed made-to-order. The lonely and vulnerable widower answered her ad… although he never divulged this to family and friends but, rather, hinted theirs was a chance meeting at a restaurant — after which they started to date, in March of 1986.
Mary Faye Craft was not beautiful, but she had a personality that captivated most men. Many before Bob had come under her spell. She had, in fact, been married four times, and had one husband who died under “mysterious circumstances.” A southern belle, Mary Faye loved being the “center of attention.” She’d traveled all over the world, including to Vietnam on her own, at a time when few single women were allowed to do so. Her past was murky, but occasionally she boasted of a lengthy affair with a Senator. Bob Sadler was impressed, skipping over details which might otherwise have led him to be cautious. They were married within four months.
The Sadlers stayed in the Washington area and things seemed fine between them the first year… but then things started surfacing. Mary Faye once lost a house to arsonists in South Carolina. She tells Robert’s daughter that they’re not getting along, though their friends fail to notice. Just before they were married a break-in had happened at Mary Faye’s home where $150,000 in jewels and silver were reported stolen. Insurance money is involved.
There were secret trips. Much is peculiar in the new marriage of Robert and Mary Faye and in her past.
Then, on the evening of April 9, 1986 tragedy struck. A 911 call was made by Mary Faye that her husband accidentally shot himself.
Two neighbors were summoned and evidence at the scene gets “inadvertently” compromised before the police even arrive. Oddly, Robert’s children were not notified and, at first, the death was ruled a suicide, but when family did receive word and arrived at the funeral home for the wake, Robert’s brother, David, was surprised to find that it was an open casket visitation.
This started him and the family to begin asking questions. What were the true facts surrounding the shooting?
It seemed that General Sadler had been shot from above and behind, with the gun some 15 to 16 inches from his head. Very unusual for a suicide. Mary Faye later used the story that they had grappled for the gun, which Robert was carelessly cleaning and it accidentally went off. This also seemed unusual since he was an accomplished and serious gun owner. He had been observed to be happy and far from despondent. Eventually, the cause of his death was changed to homicide.
Next week’s article will show that the plot thickens with more irregularities about Mary Faye coming to light. Three trials will come to pass, and General Sadler’s memory and the family’s good name goes on trial with Mary Faye.
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Next week: the Black Widow murder case of Mary Faye Craft uncovers a very suspicious past in which another husband had died under mysterious circumstances.
Gary Herrity is the Clinton Herald’s historical columnist. His column appears on page 5A every Friday.
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