New-York tribune., 1909-06-25
WRITER ACCUSED OF
WOM4N'S MURDER.
Body Found in Maryland Creek-
Er-Secretary Shocked at Fate
of hrs. WoOdU.
[By Telegraph to The Tribune J


Michaes. Nd. was cornered tonight at the
home of John McQuay, who lives at Bozman,
about ten miles south Of ST Michaels. Roberts
walked to the door of the McQuay home and
after arousng the family asked for drink of
water. AS soon Mrs. McQuay saw the man
she recognized him. and. leaving her home,
aroused the neighbors. They surrounded the
McQuay home and awaited the arrival of the
authorities at St NIichaels who had been sent
for.
Mrs WoodtI, who was a ward Of former Sec
retary of the Treasury Lyman J. Gage, came
here this month with her husband, Gilbert
Woodill an automobile dealer of Los Angeles.
She intended spending the summer with her fos-
ter father Captain Charles H Thompson. who
lives at Mcdaniel, few miles from St Mi
chaels. Her husband remained only a few
days. leaving, it is understood. for Detroit,
whence he intended TO return to Los Angeles.
Yesterday Mrs WoodilTs nude body, the skull
crushed in from blow apparently delivered
from behind. the face horribly dishgured and
the entire body swollen from the effects Of sew
eral days immersion and weighted with an iron
pot containing half half dozen bricks. was
discovered by boys who were grabbing in Back
Creek not far from the home Of Captain
Thompson.
TRIED TO HIRE LIVERY RIG
After the body had been positively identified
and suspicion began TO point TO Roberts, who
had been last seen with her on Saturday he
visited a livery stable at St Michaels kept by
Justice of the Peace c. E. Wiley and A. H.
Radcliffe and tried 10 hire a team Radcliffe
remarked to his partner that the applicant for
team under suspicion. but Wiley did not
feel justified in OBTAINING him at the time.
Later last night however. he telephoned 10 the
boarding house Of George Taylor, made inquiries
about Roberts and mentioned that he was sus-
pected of the murder. Roberts was beside Tay-
lor during this conversation and upon learning
Of the suspicion against him remarked:
IF that is the case I will not 90 TO Baltimore"
\ few minutes later he was found TO have dis
appeared, and it was aftervard discovered that
he had taken Taylor's skiff That the last
seen of him until he turned up at the McQuay
home tonight
Roberts was a comparative stranger in Talbot
County. He went there last fall and bought
little farm near the Thompson place. upon which
he built a bungalow He described himself
writer and newspaper correspondent
Mrs Woodiu was possessed OF much beauty
and was well known in Baltimore and on the
Maryland eastern shore Soon after her arrival
al her foster fathers farm at Mcdaniel Roberts
was noticed 10 be much in her company Last
Saturday Mrs WoodilI went 70 Easton and had
some dental work done When she left Captain
Thompson's she said that Roberts would see her
safely home as he was going in the same direc-
ton.
II develops that Roberts met her at ROYAL Oak
station with a horse and carriage and that the
pair drove to St MichaeTs where they embarked
on Roberts's launch and headed for the little
creek that passes their homes The last seen Of
Mrs Woodll alive when the little launch
left the St NIichaeTs wharf
That the young woman in the launch with
Roberts was Mrs. WoodiH was asserted by Miss
Cora Dodson who saw the couple from the porch
Of her home near by. After the couple pushed
off from the pier they we're passed by Mr.. Orenl.
one Of the jurynen at the inquest to-day which
decided that the young woman had come 10 her
death as the result OF foul play
Between that time and the discovery Of the
body in the creek yesterday there is more or
less naystery to what happened
SOUGHT TO ALLAY FEARS
To Captain Thompson and others who became
anxious at the continued absence Of Mrs Wood
Ill. Roberts said that she had come to Baltimore
He sought to alay the fears Of the foster ather
by telling him that she would return in a few
days
Roberts came to Baltimore himself Tues
day, and at that time letter was received by
Captain Thompson, which purported to be from
Mrs WoodH It was mailed IN this city and
said she would be back home in day two.
Roberts returned to Mcdaniel found that the
letter had been received. and then said Il told
you So
But Captain Thompson not satisfied. He
interested some of his neighbors in the matter
and began a search
Last night constables went TO Robertss bunga-
low and found there arsenal of arms. enough
to keep of a regiment of soldiers. On a sheet
on the bed, a large bloodstain. The blood
had soaked through to the mattress A pair Of
corduroy trousers. which Justice Willy declares
Roberts wore when he last him. were found
Some articles of women's apparel, said TO belong
to Mrs. Woodill, were in the room.
LETTER FROM MRS. wOoDnL.
In the pockets Of the trousers was letter
written by Mrs woodil 1t read:
Can't come down; haven't even had my morn
ing ablutions and 1 know how men hate wait
ing Why, I'd be afraid you'd wear out the
parlor rug plus your temper If you tried ii. It's
only a q intermittent delirium anyhow and you'd !
better go and wash your dishes" even without
an imagination you must know that be think
ing of you. DOLL BABY.
The first information of the tragedy came
from crabbers who were working Monday night /
They said boat passed not far from them. and
that heavy object had struck the water with. a
loud splash The next morning the body was
found on the opposite shore by the two boys. I
A heavy iron pot tied 10 the body. 1t was
testified at the inquest that the pot former
" in house which recently burned down on the
site of Roberts's bungalow. The cord with /
which il was tied was new window cord.
Mrs Woodill was educated in Europe, and is
said to have sung in the theatres and music halls I
abroad.
Mrs Woodiu was said to have had a large |
sum of money with her. and wore diamond /
ornaments when she left home Saturday. |