Los Angeles herald., 1909-06-25

ST. MICHAELS, Md, June 24-Mrs
WoodilFs nude body, the skull crushed
in, the face disfigured, was yesterday
discovered by boys who were graphing
in Back creek, not far from the home
of Mrs WoodilTs foster father, capt.
Charles H. Thompson, a few miles from
here.
Roberts was with Mrs. Woodill when
she was last seen. He claimed to be a
magazine writer and general corre-
spondent of newspapers. He is ever
said to have declared that he returned
to this locality after a short absence
for the express purpose of writing up
the murder which he is now accused or
having committed.
Mr.. and Mrs. Woodill came here
short time ago, the latter with the IN
tention of passing the summer with her
foster father. Her husband remained
only a few days, leaving, it is UNDER
stood, for Detroit, whence he intended
to return to Los angeles.
From that time Mrs. Woodill and
Roberts are said to have seen much of
each other.
Entered Launch Together
Last Saturday Mrs. woodill went to
Easton to have some dental work done,
and it had been arranged that Roberts
should meet her at Royal Oak and go
home with her Roberts drove to Royal
Oak, met Mrs. Woodil and drove her
to the landing where his launch was
moored They entered the launch, ana
Mrs. Woodill was not seen again alive,
so far as has been learned.
Since her disappearance Roberts went
to Baltimore, whence q letter was re-
ceived by Capt Thompson, ostenstbly
from Mrs. Woodill, saying she was IN
that city and would shortly return.
Roberts remained away from the
fAO,. 4l,n Ind limo M
the body. He had previously endeav-
ored to allay the growing uneasiness OF
Cant. Thompson in connection with his
foster daughters absence and used the
letter as evidence in support of his con-
tention that she would return.
When the body was brought ashore II
was so swollen that Capt Thompson
could not at first believe IL was the
body of Mrs. Woodill.
Roberts disappeared when he was
suspected of the murder. Investiga-
ton Indicates that when Roberts and
Mrs. Woodill left here they went in the
launch to a bungalow that is being
built on Roberts small farm, next 10
that of Capt. Thompson, and in this
bungalow the murder was committed.
Find Clothes in Bungalow
A bloody sheet and mattress and
portions of the woman's clothes partly
burned were ulSCONSlCh - NAAS
low. These have been identified as
belonging to Mrs. Woodill.
Two letters also were found. one,
believed to have been from Mrs Wood
in and to have some connection with
the meeting at Royal Oak, was dated
June 16, and read:
"Dear Wobby: Can't come down.
Haven't even had my mornings ablu-
tions. and l know how men hate wait
ing. Why, 1 would be afraid you
would wear out the parlor rug plus
vour temper IL you tried it. 1t is only
an intermittent delirium and now you
had better go and wash your dishes.
Even without an imagination you must
know I will be thinking of you"
This was signed doll Baby"
The other letter, Also dated the 10th,
from Easton, read:
"Roberts: Ryan and Snort VIII ar
rive oxford boat 12 o'clock tonight.
Cant. Leo will take us over to your
Joint. Get there about 12;40, but must
leave after looking the place over.
Sorry you have decided not to go this
time Girls all at Annapolis. Here is
to the one you sent for me. Yours,
Howarth.'
Showed Signs of Struggle
The rooms in which these things were
found showed evidences Of a struggle.
It was discovered today that crabbers
in the river early Tuesday morning
were passed by a vessel from which