Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1909-06-29
THE MARYLAND MURDER.

vestlgate the death OF Mrs. Editn May
Thompson Woodill, who was murdered
by blow on the temple and later sunk
below the waters OF Broad creek, nesr
st. Michaels, Nd. by Robert E. East
man, alias E. E. Roberts, the 55.year-
old stock broker. held nine-hour meet
Jog Yesterday, filslIy announcing the fol-
loving verdict:
That on June 10th E. E. Roberts,
alias Z. E. Eastman, did voluntarily
and felOniously beat and wound the said
Edith May Woodill 10 the forehead and
face aud she then and there instantly
died, and the said E. E. Roberts, alias
Robert e. Eastman, then aud there fe-
loniously killed or was accessory to the
crime Of the murder of the said Edith
MSy Woodill.
1t was compromise verdict. as four
Of the members Of the jury refused to
sign until the words cor was accessory
to the murder" were added.
]. w. Jump aud George Powell,
neighbors Of Eastman, testified that they
did not see a launch party at the buDga-
low.
William Sutton called on Eastman
Sunday, but, contrary 10 custom, was
not invited into the house.
Robert Seth told of offering to float
The boat when it grounded with Eastman
and Mrs. Woodill aboard. Eastman
told Seth he wonld rather pay 81, 900
than have anyone see the woman in the
boat.
When George w. Taylor asked East
Juan if be had heard about the murder
Eastman stopped talking and gszed out
the window. Taylor said that on the
day following Eastmsn's visit to Balii-
more to pawn the jewels which he had
taken from the dead wOman's body he
said that he had gathered the facts of
"grest story" which he WAS going TO
write, presumably for magazine. He
gave an inkling Of the story, which WAS
the same in part rs the circumstances of
Mrs. WoodilPs trip with him to his
bungalow.
Four jurors at first declined to sign
the verdict, holding that there Was no
evidence that Eastman alone committed
the crime.
Detective Pohler declares there Was
sufficient evidence against the former
stockbroker to hang him.
The wedding ring of Mrs. Woodill is
missing, II having been stolen from the
corpse by Eastman.
Mrs. Eastman obtained letters of al
ministration on the estate of her hus-
band and went to st. Michaels 10 get
the $l5S which was found on his body.
She visited the bungalow and her hus-
hands grave, on which tOmolo plants
had been set out by some unknown per-
son. She showed little emotion except
when asked about the7-mOnths-old baby
Of which Eastman is the father and
which he never saw. She will name it
"Bob," she said, after the Esther.
Squsbbles have arisen over the bill
for burying the body of Eastman, and
there is a fight brewing for the 81 800
reward which wss offered for him in
New York.
The theory that he murdered Mrs.
WOodill when she refused 10 give him
money and threataned TO betrsy him
when he pressed her for it is now gener-
ally accepted by those studying the case.
some OF the 81. Michaels people believe,
however, that his letter duplicating
others was honest.
In connection with the Eastman
Woodill tragedy the interesting fact has
been recalled that when "Boss' Tweed
fed from New York he sought refuge
from the law by going to St Michaels
That section Of the Eastern Shore of
Maryland is secluded from the rest Of
the world, although only a short dis
lance from Baltimore.
st. Michaels, Md, June 29.-Witb
the adjournment of the juries Of inquest
and their verdict in the murder OF Edith
May Thompson WoodilI, it is now be-
lieved that the authorities have done
everything In their power to solve the
mystery but without much success, and
the interest is now simmeriDg down.
Detective Pohler left for Baltimore TO.
day. He expressed the opinion that
Eastman alone was guilty OF the crime
10 all the testimony that WAS heard,
little that has not before been contained
10 these dispatches, was brought out.
The facts concerning the place Of the
murder in the bungalow, remain ural.
tered, but st the same time bit moro
of evidence to show that Eastman aud
the woman wers alone WAS produced.
Mrs. Eastman hss returned TO New
York, after placiug a tomato vine on
her husbands crave
With a smile on his face, ard a step that
4 81