The Washington times., 1909-06-25
WOMAN A PROTEGE
OF LYMAN ]. GAGE

BALTIMORE, July 25.-AH :he nys-
terry that marked the origin ard life
of Edith Weodill has been merely deep
ened by the discovery that she was
murdered by Robert f. Eastman. When
her nude body Vas washed ashore ard
Eastman was shot to death by the sher-
IFS posse, the wOnan's closest friends
had another question they could not
answer.
What was this man Eastman to Edith
Woodill2
What holc had he upon her2
Why should he club her with a rifle
butt and the ends of boards?
On what day IN what year. did there
happen that unknown something which
ended in murder, stark, revolting2
Protege Of Gage.
Mrs. Hyoodin was a creature OF ro-
nance and a thing OF mystery long be-
fore the public knew of her murder,
even long before Eastman came into
her life IN some way, inexplicable and
unguessed, Lyman J. Gage, former Sec
rotary cf the Treasury, had become
deeply interested n her Sne was
adopted when she was three years old
- by Col Charles H Thompson. Of St.
Michaels, Md, where the tragedy oc-
CURED.
She at one time told her husband,
WcOdill. of her vivid remembrance of
having been kidnapped when she was q
mere baby. At seventeen. according to
some of her friends. sne married q Bos-
ton physician. who later divorced her
when ne learned that she did net love
him Former Gov. Frank Brown, Of
MARYLAND, was one Of her friends and
admirers. Only eighteen months ago
she married Gilbert Woodil, tile wealthy
automobile dealer Of Los Angeles. and
he
boasted of her happy married life
She was a gifted singer. and a wonder
fui performer on the piano Her per
sonality was such that she attracted
men OF all ages. She was distinctly
mans woman. There IS no record that
she ever had a close woman friend.
Apparently. she was not attracted by
tho thought Of woman friendships But
every man who knew her liked her and
admired her. Many OF them were drawn
TO her by stronger emotions.
Sang At White House.
She sang in the White House before
President Mckinley, because Lyman J.
Gage. who had helped 10 educate her.
vas proud of her. and wanted to give
her the distinction Of singing before the
President. She studied two years in
the Peabody Conservatory OF Music in
Baltimore. and spent a long time in
Europe, making many friends among
the society leaders of the American colo
MES IN the capitals Of Europe
Bat never in any waY did she lei her
friends, her fosteT-father. or any Of her
relatives know that she knew Eastman.
There is one slight indication that
WcOdil. who seems 20 be the only man
who had her fuH confidence. knew Of a
pTevious Acquaintance between Ier and
Eastman. That indication came when,
upon the arrival Of WoOdiIl and his wife
81 St. Michaeis and the appearance Of
Eastman there, WoOdill abruptly left for
Detroit. and from there he wrote her "a
bstter telling her 10 join him immedl-
ktely In that city This she refused 10
50. saying that il would be "a fOJl
trip, as she wanted 10 spend the sum-
ner In Maryland.
Letters From Woman.
In Eastman's bungalow which was near
that OF Colonel Thompson. were found
two letters. believed 10 have been writ
ten 10 him Dy Edith Woodin Both
were dated June Is. and in one. which
was signed Doll BABY" were these
words.
II is only an intermittent delirium
anyhow, and you had better go and
wash your dishes Even without an
investigation you must know 1 be
thinking Of you"
This passage and the general tenor
Of the note indicates that she was
'guying" him In a good natured way
about his infatuation for her That
she did not care for him in lover-like
fashion Is shown by her boasts OF her
| happy married life aud BY the care