Evening star., 1909-06-26
DRUNKEN WOMAN'S DEED,
HE WRITES HIS WIFE
Law Officials Inclined to Doubt Dead
Mans Explanation.
INQUEST AGAIN POSTPONED
Body of Suicide Is Buried on His
Own Property-Heard Quarrel
ing as They Drove BY.

ST MICHAELS June 26-With the
making public today Of the full text of
Lame Bob Eastman's version of the
death of Edith May Woodill, as related
in the letter he sought to mail Winnie
Bradcombe, his wife, has added a new
interest to the tragedy of the lonely
maze of tidal streams that put in here
from the Chesapeake bay.
But robbery as possible motive for
the crime has now been advanced. Word
comes from Baltimore that man an
swering the description of Eastman in
every detail pawned in that city on Tues
day last two diamond rings and a dia-
mond brooch valued at about $500.
Diamond rings, diamond brooch and a
diamond-set bracelet worn by Mrs Wood
Eastman have never been accounted for
Identification at St. Michaels.
IL Is likely that the jewelry will be
sent here for identification. If it proves
to be that of Mrs. Woodill. as now be-
heved. an entirely new light will be shed
on the strange tragedy.
Eastman went to Baltimore on Tues
day. He mailed from there letter writ
ten by Mrs. Woodill several days previ-
ousiy to her sister at Mcdaniel.
Eastman s story of the crime. which he
declared was committed by a drunken
woman in fit of jealous rage, is so
circumstantial and seems, In way, SO
much like the sincere declaration of
man about 10 take his own life, how
ever, that Foreman Radcliffe of the cor
oner's jury, which Is inQuiring into the
death of Mrs. Woodill is convinced of
its truth. He is endeavoring to induce
the authorities to obtain the services OF
expert detectives to work upon the
case.
Mr.. Radcliffe again today postponed
the inquest to await some action by the
law officers
The latter are still inclined to take but
little stock in Eastman's declarations.
They point out that his whole life here
was a continuous lie, and that he in
vented so many false stories that this
last. attempting to throw the blame for
murder upon the shoulders OF another,
is unworthy of belief.
They believe the letter may have been
written in an attempt to shield his wife
and boy from tinal and overwhelming
stigma from an unworthy husband and
father.
Eastman's Letter to Wife.
E.astman's letter was as follows:
''Einnie:
Take this money and go at once To
Mcdaniel. Talbot county, Nd. and claim
my body and all my property. The
property consists of twenty-five acres
of land and a bungalow. There is also
motor boat.
Have sale and convert the whole
thing into cash. ] don't owe a cent, ex-
ceptins for the paint and pump. etc..
will be glad to get back, as it is not
broken, just as shipped
Little girl, | had no hand in the
tragedy. Was there and removed the
evidence after the other two couples
fled. ! did this for self-preservation and
am haunted.
The victim was my particular friend
and We were we'll mated Have only
known her three weeks.
We all. that is, two men and two
other women from Annapolis, went TO
the bungalow for time. Every one
got full excepting Edith and myself
Edith tried 10 win one OF the girls
fellows. and was hit three times on the
side of the head with a fun bottle of
champagne and the fellow hit once
She fell over on the floor and died
The man did not come TO for an hour
Il was left with the corpse and cannot
take chance for a trial. Life 10 me
is very bitter and | will pull down the
shades and say goodbye
You can claim my property, and say
as little as possible, but get il. / am
awfully sorry for YOU and our boy.
4 have been hustling madly TO make
your path clear, but fate is against me-
Take Pennsylvania railroad 10 Easton.
Md. and then change TO b.. G.. x A.
l0yltf rfanf q ,fr -,
able
II was believed yesterday that East
man had said the murder was committe ted
in launch Eastman left with the let
ter Si4s
Investigation to Continue.
States Attorney Turner declared today
that he Will not close the investigation
of Mrs. Woodilrs death until he is con
vinced that every tangible clue has been
followed out If necessary. he said. he
would employ assistance and ask the CO.
operation of the Baltimore police.
The latter. however. adhere 10 the
theory that it was Eastman who COM
mitted the deed. Detective Capt Pum-
phley OF Baltimore. in an interview to-
day. explained his theory in detail
He believes that despite Eastman's dec
'laration that Mrs. Woodi was IA new ac-
quaintance the two We're old friends
anu lHc WoIdH was klIlSu from mo-
tives OF Jealousy. when, after postponing
her departure to join her husband. she
finally declared she was going back 10
Los Angeles, Cal.
Down here, where Mrs. Woodill lived
as girl the neighbors of her foster
father. and old Col. Thompson himself
hold the theory that the girl was killed
In repulsing Eastman's advances.
The mystery seems far from being
really cleared up today. One of the
clues yet to be run down is to locate
the men who were to visit Eastman's
bungalow the night of June 16
This letter. found in Eastmans bunga-
Tow and addressed To Roberts as he
was known here. was as follows:
'Easton. Md. June 16.
Dear Roberts: Ryan and Shotwell
Goniinued on sixth PageO