The Cairo bulletin., 1909-06-26
Motive or Manner Q
Crime in Maryland
May Never Be
Known
POOR EXPLANATION
IN LETTER He LEFT
Who Proves to be His Wife
Many Theories Advanced
Jealousy Foremost.

St Michaels. Md. June 25.--Robert
Emmett Eastman, alleged murderer oi
Mrs May Edith Thompson Woodill,
suicide. is the conclusion of the cor
orners jury tonight 1t was at first
supposed that Eastman was shot by
member of the sheriff's posse. Al
ter his disappearance Wednesday
night no trace of him was found until
last night when John McQuay, who
lives four miles away on Harris Greek
heard the splash of oars. He called
but received no answer, theoarsman
paying no heed to the challenge. Me
Quay telephoned pr help and the
sheriffs posse arrived.
Trailed For Hours.
For hour after hour they trailed
Eastman along the creek and finally
passing him, waiting at a point where
the stream narrows sharply. Eas ma 1
was unaware of the presence of the
waiting officers. From their place of
concealment ashore the sherif's men
called upon him to surrender.
A second demand was answered by
flash and the report of a REVOLVER
1t had been aimed by Eastman at his
own heart and the bullet had done its
work. Thinking the shot had been
sent at them In an attempt TO resia,
arrest the posse returned the fire.
Great Hole in Chest.
colored man who had been
among the pursuers waded out in the
shallow waters and brought the boat
ashore The flare of a match reveal
ed the hasty work of the suicides
pistol. A great hole had been torn
In his chest and life was extinct.
The question of whether Eastman
died 6y his own hand or as the resul;
of the fire of the pursuing party was
not settled until late in the day when
the coroner's jury after hearing the
evidence and reports OF the examining
physicians, decided that Eastman had
taken his own life.
Explains in Letter.
A letter found upon Eastman's s body
addressed to Miss Winnie Bradcome,
care of Klaw and Erlanger theatrical
managers. in New York, gave East
man an i'll sustained excuse for the
crime. 1t was a rambling account OF
how he had been out in launch with
a party of men and women, all OF
whom had bee drinking to excess
with the exception of himself and
&c . . h.,
women, in a jealous frenzy had at
tackled Mrs. Woodill with a wine bot
tie and killed her how the remaindef
of the party had taken to flight, leaN
ing him to dispose of the body, and
how. as a means of escape from al
of his troubles the writer had decided
to end his own life. Eastman asked
Miss Bradcome to hurry to Maryland
TO take charge of his body and his
property
First Theory Cast Aside.
The authorities after a thorough in
vestigatlon apparently have cas-;
the theory of the death of the girl
The first word received from Miss
Bradcome today conveyed the infor-
nation that she knew nothing of
Eastman. Foreman Radcliffe, of the
coroner's jury, wired Miss Bradcome
10 come and take possession of the
body. however. and received a reply
from her saying that she could not
because of lack of funds. He wired
her 10 draw on him for $50 and is now
awaiting developments.
Explanation Not Borne Out.
Neither the known movements Of
Eastman and Mrs. Woodill, nor any
circumstances of the case, tend to
bear OUT Eastman's explanation in
the letter which he had no opportuni-
ty to mail, according to the authori-
ties. who seem to believe with Col.
Chas. II. Thompson. of Mcdaniel,
foster father of the girl. that East
man. in whose company she last was
seen alive. was responsible for the
death of Mrs. Woodill
AS for motives. many have been ad
vaneed. That Eastman was infaiu
ated with the girl was well known.
She, I'm turn, It would seem, was fas-