Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1909-06-26
EASTMAN A SUICIDE.

Eastman, bAnReT, race hoIse o"ueiJ
author and man of mystery, known at
St. Michsels, Nd, as Emmett r Roberts
aud alleged slayer of the beautiful Mrs.
Gilbert Woodill, whose murder has
stirred the Eastern Shore, came his
desth by his own hand.
Hunted like 40 animal, exhausted by
his flight 10 q row boa. and finally
driven to bay, Eastman sent a bullet
into his own brain aud died with the
shots of bis pursuers ringing in his ears.
The lary of inquest which met last
night at Mcdaniel to investigate the
death of Eastman gave verdict of sui
eide. An examination OF Eastman's
pockets revealed the fact that he was
doubly prepared for suicide, as
package containing four ounces OF
sconite was found in one Of his pockets.
A letter which vas found in East
mans pocket, and which wss directed
to Mics Winnie 3rsdcome, care OF Klsw
q Erlanger's theatrical agency in New
York, was made public by the coroner
last night. la The missive the writer
gives what is meant to be an explanation
Of the murder of the woman. Accord
ing to the letter, Eastman, the murdered
woman, two other men and three wo.
men we're out in boat some distance
from his bungalow, when quarrel arose
among the women. All the party, says
the letter, had been drinking, and II
WAS this, in q great measure, which
caused JEALOUSY to arise and resulted 10
the quarrel. 1t was in the midst OF
heated argument, says the writer, that
one of the women struck Mrs. W0odill
over the head with al empty champagne
bottle, knocking her senseless and
causing her death shortly aiterWsrd.
Eastman says in the letter that the
party buried ashore and that the two
couples fed across the bay, leaving him
alone With the body. The writer ex'
plains that 10 have given this version OF
the womsn's death would not have been
believed, while the charge of murder
would unquestionably have been placed
against him. He said, therefore, he
decided the safer plan would be to get
rid of the body and he tied the weight
around the woman's neck and cast the
body iu the river.
Col. Charles Fl. Thompson, foster
father of Mrs. Woodill, is almost pros
trated over the murder.
Roberts," be said, chad powerful
Influence over my iosterdsugbter, The
girl was impressed by his manners aud
apparent literary ability, and be WOO
her heart and confidence. He took ad-
vautsge of her like snake will OF bird.
She enjoyed his company and be sought
hers. though him to be gentlemen
and did not attempt to bother the
friendship. The girl always insisted on
seeing him.
The identity Of Mrs. Woodill, 1t is BE-
| ] eyed, was established by Colonel
Thompson, who raid she was the illegitl'
mate daughter of Matthew Witz, oi
Washington state. 10 1890, when she
was 8 years old, she was adopted by Col
| onel and Mrs. Thompson in Minneapolis.
There the childs brightness and talent
attracted the attention of Mayor Amef
of that city, Col. Thompson said, and
elicitsd his admiration to such an ex'
| tent that he became desirous Of adopting
her.
Eastman was formerly head of the
New York banking firm of Eastman q
lOo., who disappeared in 1908 after he
| had been suspended from the Stock Ex-
chsnge. He was arrested in Chicago
taken to New York aud released on
l$7, 500 bail. he slipped his bail and
was not heard of again until his death.
Eastman, in 1908, married Winnie
B,sdcombe, show girl with the Rogers
Bros. She says he abandoned her las
fall and she returned to the stage. Since
leaving New York, Eastman had spen
most of his time in Baltimore, passing
; under the name of Roberts.
| Mr.. Gilbert Woodill, husband OF th'
murdered woman, is quoted ss sayini
that all his wife knew of her carly lift
was that she was called Pearl.
Ex. Secretary of the Treasury Lymar
J. Gsge says he met the victim In Wash
inpton when he was q member OF Nc
Kinley's cabinet and when she was II
years old. He denied that she Was hi
daughter
Mrs. Woodill is said to have been in
ttrssted in theosOphy and to have beef
a disciple of Mrs. Tingley, the theoso
. phist ltaier. 1t is also said that anon
her sdmirers were President Vsnderlip
the New York banker, and Kid Mccoy
the pugilist.