The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-06-28
4 Prominent Feature of the
WOOdilI Murder Case
Is the Fact That Eastman Was
in Financial Straits.
CORONER'S INQUEST
Sessions Are Being Held at the
Eastman Bungalow.
The Place Was Stripped of Fur
niture by the Sheriff.

st. Michaels, Md, June 2S.-The coro-
ner's inquest into the death of pretty
Edith May Woodill was resumed today
with several of the jurors still con-
WINGED that there was large element
of truth in the letter left by Lame
Bob" Eastman, declaring there had
been party at his bungalow and that
Mrs. Woodill had been slain by jeal-
Gus woman.
The jury met in the lonely little
bungalow itself, within sight of the
grave to which the body of Eastman
was consigned early yesterday
1t is not believed now that definite
verdict will be rendered by the jury
and it is certain that no matter what
may be the outcome of today's sit
ting of the inquest, investigation of the
tragedy will be carried forward by the
law officers of the state and county
with undiminished energy
The authorities give no credence to a
report circulated last night that East
man tried to induce Mrs Woodill to
elope to Europe with him and that he
Killed her when she refused. This re-
port went or to state that Eastman's
hiding place had been discovered and
that 1t was necessary for him again to
take to flight.
As a cold matter of fact Eastman
was in financial straits and did not
have money enough to take himself to
Europe, to say nothing of the girl
There Is no Indication that Eastman's
identity was about to be disclosed by
the authorities. The Baltimore police
had no thought that the man known
among his neighbors on the eastern
shore was a fugitive from justice in
New York state.
Robbed His Victim.
After all is said and done. the one
striking fact remains that Eastman.
following the murder, came to Ralti-
more and pawned the jewels of the wo-
man he Is supposed to have loved The
indications are that he also took a con-
siderable sum of money from her
There are many who believe that Mrs
Woodin had frequently supplied the
man with money.
Returning from Baltimore after
pawning the dead girls Jewelry. East
man 5oked with his acquaintances,
showed them a large roll of bills, and
conducted himself in the coolest posi-
element until after the identity of the
body became known and he was told
not to leave the county. 1t was then
that he made his plans to escape.
The coroner's jury members who be-
1ieve there may be some truth in East
terry Of the launch containing two 'wo-
men and three men which was seen
coming out of Broad creek, on which
the bungalow is located, shall be clear
ed up in some satisfactory way. Three
wine and two whisky glasses which
had been used were found in the
bungalow subsequent to the murder.
Never Known to Drink.
In spite of the stories of many gay
parties and much drinking at the
bungalow no one of the many persons
who knew Eastman during his several
months residence here can be found ia
say that they ever saw the man take d
drink either of wine or whisky.
1t was intimated today that the in
vestigations into the identity of the
launch party may lead to an arrest at
any moment However. it is certain
that so far there is nothing tangible to
take from Eastman's shoulders the
burden of responsibility for Mrs
Woodill's death.
Nothing is known here of the alleged
discovery of a partly burned note
which is said to have warned Eastman
that his presence in Baltimore last
Tuesday was known to the police. This
note was given in theory that flight
was necessary for Eastman and that he
planned to have Mrs. Woodill elope
with him.
1t IS said today that a witness has
been found who will testify that East
man told him he had known Mrs
Woodin for some time prior to her
marriage to the Los Angeles automo-
bile dealer and that he had visited her
at her home in California.
The Eastman bungalow, which is
seven miles from here, was stripped OF
its furniture late Saturday by the
sheriff on an attachment for debt
sworn out by firm of Easton mer-
chants to whom Eastman was indebt-
ed for a pump. The sheriffs action iT
disturbing the interior of the cabir
prior to the conclusion of the coro-
ner's investigation may be called to this
attention of the grand jury.
Mrs. Eastman will apply for letter:
of administration so that she may
take legal possession of her husband:
farm. She is not expected to come t.
St. AIichaels but will probably ask FOL
the papers at Easton.
after a brief session in the bunga
low the coroner's jury in the East
rnan-Woodill case today adjourned
the hearing without rendering YER
diet