Los Angeles herald., 1909-06-26
EDITH WOODILL'S
METEORIC CAREER
ONE OF MYSTERY

BALTIMORE, June 25.-The death of
Roberts at ST. Michaels marks the cul-
mination of one of the most Sensa-
tional tragedies in Maryland's history,
with ramifcations that have become
country wide in their extent.
Some of the acts in the meteoric ca
reer of Mrs. Woodill, in whose brief
life love and romance played such a
great part, were related today by an
intimate friend of the slain woman, who
said they were told by Mrs. Woodill
herself.
Mrs. Woodill said she was born in
Minneapolis about twenty years ago.
Her mother, who called herself Mrs.
Ames, died when she was about 3 years
of age, leaving her in utter ignorance
of her father or forebears.
Mrs. Charles H. Thompson Of Nc
Daniel, Md, 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.
Went to Washington
When she was 12 years of age they
went to Washington, where they lived
for some time with Lyman ]. Gage,
who took a great interest in her.
When she was Is years old he sent
her, with Mrs. Thompson, to Paris,
WneT6 SIle SLuulSu HuSlC. OH u6T re-
turn from Paris she went to Boston to
complete her studies, and while in Bos-
ton she was married to DR.. Caswell.
When she was II she came to Balti-
more to continue her studies In the
Peabody conservatory, leaving her hus-
band.
She was known here as Miss Edith
Thompson, concealing" her marriage
from all but few intimate friends. In
a short time thereafter she entered suit
for divorce against DR.. Caswell.
Engaged to Adams
She left Baltimore a year ago, being
engaged at the time to Harry Adams OF
Mount Vernon, N. Y After brief stay
in New York she went to California,
where in less than thirty days after her
| divorce from DIR. Caswell she married
Gilbert Woodill Of Los Angeles.
| 1t also has been confirmed that in her
early youth Charles Thompson, the son
of her foster mother and father, being
| a rejected suitor, committed suicide on
| her account.
During her residence in Baltimore
Mr.. Gage, it Is said, sent her checks
continually, some of them amounting
to $500, and when she was married TO
Mr.. Woodill he gave her $5000 At the
time of her death Mr.. Gage is SAID 10
| have been building a house In Los An
geles with the understanding that he
was to come to live with her and her
| husband
All of these facts, it is asserted, were
stated by Mrs. Woodill to friends In
baltimore prior to her death.
Mrs. Woodill had a peculiar charm
for men and nearly every man who
came in contact with her was at
tracted.
Beauty Magnetic
She nossessed magnetism in addition
to beauty. In stature she was rather
petite, with a beautiful figure, an ex-
pressive face, golden brown hair and
brown eyes. She was unusually well
read and musical and artistic In tenn
perament.
There was always more or less mys-
terry surrounding her. No one ever
seemed to know exactly who she was.
She referred to CAPTAIN and Mrs.
Thompson of Mcdaniel as her father
and mother, but was supposed to be
an adopted child.
She constantly talked of and re-
| ferred to former Secretary Gage and
seemed fonder of him than anybody
else in the world. She always spoke
of him as Papa Gage"
i She and her husband paid him
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