The Washington herald., 1909-06-29

Mcdaniel. Nd. June 2S-CoL Charles
H. Thompson. foster-father Of the VIC
tim Of Robert E. Eastman, issued a
statement this afternoon which is TO set
at rest forever all conflicting rumors IN
regard TO the girls birth Col Thomp-
son said:
When the matter was frst brought
up did not remember the circumstances
surrounding the birth Of the child
want to say that Wiz. the musician. was
not the father Of the girl Her father
was a gentleman Of estimable reputation
and head Of a very fine family. The
parentage was fastened on Witz 10 save
the family for obvious reasons.
7 cannot divulge the name. but I wiz
say that he never lived in Minnesota.
but IN the state Of Washington She
was born in Asotia, Wash. November
90. 1856. The father never lived in Min
nesota-"
CcrOner'S Jury Divided.
After hearing a number OF witnesses.
none Of whom gave any testimony which
shed enough additional light 10 remove
the doubts existing IN the minds of some
Of the members ~ the coBoner's jury.
that tribunal rendered a verdict this az
ternoon which set forth that Robert E.
Eastman killed Edith Nay Woodin or
was an accessory TO the murder.
There were four jurors who were not
altogether satisfied that Eastman dealt
the blow. They argued that there must
be some truth in the letter Eastman had
written TO his wife, in which he charged
the crime upon others. 1T was IN defer
ence 10 their conscientious scruples that
the other eight members consented to a
compromise verdict. and hence the addi-
tion, "or was an accessory.
The inquest began this morning. After
a thorough inspection Of the bungalow.
Broad Greek. IN which the body OF Mrs.
Woodiu was found, and the land sur
rounding the house. the jury went 70 Nc
Daniel. where additional witnesses were
examined this afternoon.
Nothing New Developed.
John Jump. the nearest nelghbor to
Eastman. who lives across the creek. was
first called, but brought out nothing new.
William Sutton told Of approaching the
bungalow on Sunday afternoon. He
stated that he heard voices. but did not
approach near the house. as he realized il
was no place for him. He declared that
he recognized one voice as that Of Mrs
Woodill. and that she was speaking in
conversational tones.
George Powell declared that he called
at the bungalow on Sunday afternoon.
Eastman met him. but did not ask him
into the house. This was the first time
he had been IN Hospital street. He
heard no voices and saw no one
Powell spent the Sunday with Sutton.
He declared he saw no one enter or
leave the bungalow. This seems 70 con-
firm the theory that Eastman's letter
TO his wife. accusing a woman OF the
crime, was written in an effort TO clear
himself. None of the other witnesses
gave any evidence that was material.
The testimony related principally 10 the
movements Of the murderer.
Eastman's Widow Present.
Among others called was Eastman's
widow. Winnie BradcOmbe. who testified
she was his wife. and exhibited her
wedding ring, In which was Inscribed.
'R. z. z. 10 V. B." Some Of the jurors
tihcate, but she left this at Easton.
What she wanted was her husbands
effects. but the jury adjourned without
having passed upon this question. The
foreman. who has possession Of these.
declines 10 give them up. He was called
upon to pay the undertakers for funeral
expenses.
Eastman's widow accompanied the cor
Of the murderer and suicide.
President DodsOn, of the Citizens Ma
tional Bank. to-day refused to honor a
draft for $50 drawn on the money found
on Eastman's body. It was said that 10
do so would acknowledge Mrs. Eastman's
claim TO all the money and the fact
that the legality Of her marriage had
been proved.
Eastman Married Before.
It developed to-day that Eastman had
been married before he became the hus-
band Of Winnie Bradcombe
Mrs. Eastman told several persons that
her husband had married early in life
In California, and that his wife died in
child birth. To some Eastman himself
said the child had lived to be eight years
DAA. ~A---S NSAS DAAOL AcpOLlS lIldl Lne
boy lived and is now twenty-eight years
old
Mrs. Eastman. the widow. was asked ~
Eastman left any relatives. She said
that he had two half-ssters living. but
that she thought her husband had not
been on especially good terms with them.
Detective Pohler, of Baltimore, came
here to-day. He was sent by Capt.
Pumphrey 10 aid the local authorities in
getting 70 the bottom of the murder
mystery.