The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1909-06-26

tragedy ever occurring in Maryland
with ramificetions that have become
countrywide in their extent
Some facts In the meteroic career of
Mrs. Woodill. In whose brief life, love
AMI romance played such great part
friend Of the slain woman. who said
they were tod by Mrs. Woodill her
self.
Mrs. woodill said she was born In
Minneapolis about twenty years ago.
Her mother, who called herself Mrs
Ames. died when she was about three
years old. leaving her in utter ignor-
ance of her family ties.
Mrs. Charles III. Thompson, OF NC
Daniel. Nd, then took her and brought
her up, telling her that she Mrs.
Thompson was her mothers intimate
friend, but never disclosing to her, the
name of her father.
Lived with Gage.
When she was about IL years Of
age, they went to Washington, where
they lived for some time In the house
OF Lyman J. Gage. who took a great
interest in her. When she was about
Is he sent her. with Mrs. Thompson.
to Paris. where she studied music. Mr..
Gage paying all expenses. On her re-
turn from Paris she went to Bos-
ton to complete her studies and while
in Boston she was married to DIT.
Caswell. who was an osteopath.s When
she was about II she came to Balti-
more to continue. her studies at the
Peabody Conservatory, leaving her
husband. She was known here as Miss
Edith Thompson. concealing her mar
riage from all, but few intimate
friends.
Ia a very short time thereafter she
entered suit against DR.. Casweli Tor
divorce.
She left Boston last Easter a year
ago. being engaged at the time to
Harry Adams of Mount Vernon. N. T..
After a brief stay in New York she
went to California. where in less than
thirty days after her divorce from Dr.
CaswelI she married Gilbert Woodill. of
Los Angeles. 1t has also been rumor-
ed that In her early youth. Charles
Thompson, the son of her foster mother
and father, being rejected suitor.
committed suicide on her account.
Given Large Sums of Money.
During her residence in Baltimore,
Mr.. Gage, Mrs. Woodill told, sent her
checks continually, some of. them
amounting to $1,000 and when she was
married to Mr.. Woodifl he gava her s5,-
600. At the time of her death, she
said, Mr.. Gage was also building her
a house in Los Angeles, with the under
Thai AiC was " NOAAAS ~ AN'
with her and her husband.
All of these facts, 1t is asserted, were
stated by Mrs. Woodtll to friends In
Baltimore prior to her death.
Mrs. Woodin had a particular charm
for men. She possessed magnetism in
addition to beauty. In stature she was
rather petite, with a beautiful figure.
an excessive face, golden brown hair,
brown eyes and features that are
usually called piquant. She was un-
usually well read and musical and
artistic in temperament. There was
always more or less mystery surround
ing her No one ever seemed to know
exactly who she was. She referred to
Captain and Mrs Thompson. OF Nc
Daniel, as her father and mother, hut
was supposed to be an adopted chilli.
She constantly talked of and referred
to ex-Secretary Gage and seemed
fonder of him than anybody else in the
world She always spoke OF him as
papa Cage" She and her husband
Just paid him a visit at his home in
California before going east. Mrs.
Gage during her lifetime, seemed to
take the greatest interest In Mrs
Woodill's material and mental welfare
and, besides visiting her while she was
studyinS music in Baltimore frequently
met her in New York Through the in
fluence of Mrs Gage Ii Is said Mrs
Woodill sang at the White House Tor
President Mckinley ana some guests.
The President was delighted with her
ana her voice and was frank to tell her
so.
Mrs. woodill was fond of pretty
clothes and when last seen here was
beautifully gowned.
she was the soul of generosity and
was always thinking how she could
contribute to the pleasure and enter
tainment Of her friends. In her let
pressed herself as happy and devoted i,
10 her husband, OF whom she seemed
very proud. Those who met him in
baltimore say that he seemed equally
devoted to her.