Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-06-29
MURDER MYSTERY,
SEALED BY DEATH
Coroner and Detectives Are Still
Unable to Explain Details Of
Murder of Pretty Edith May
Woodill and Eastman's Suicide.

st NICHAELS, Md, June 2s.-The cor
oner's inouest into the death of pretty
Edith Nav Woodill was resumed today
with several of the jurors still convinced
that there was a large element OF truth
in the letter left by Lame Bob East
man. the fugitive broker and suicide, VINO
declared that there had been party at
his bungalow, and that Mrs. Woodill had
been attacked with a champagne Dottle
and slain by Jealous woman.
The Jury met in the lonely little bunga-
low itself. within sight of the grave to
which the body OF Eastman was consign-
ed yesterday with no further ceremony
than the muttered prayers Of few lay
men.
1t was not believed that a different YER
dict would be rendered by the jury, and
Il was certain that no matter what might
be the outcome OF today's sitting Of the
inquest, investigation Of the tragedy Will
be carried forward by the law officers
of the state and county with undiminish-
ed energy.
EI,OPRMENT RUMOR NOT BELIEVED
The authorities give no credence to
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 report went on to
state that Eastman's hiding place had
been discovered and that it was necessary
for him again to take flight.
AS a matter of fact, Eastman was In
financial straits and did not have enough
money to take him 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 Balti-
more police had no thought that the man
known among his neighbors on the east
ern shore was a fugitive from Justice IN
New York state. Prior to the murder.
Roberts neighbors would have been pre-
pared to defend him against any imputa-
ton.
The striking fact remains that East
man, following the murder, for which he
claimed In the letter that he was not re-
sponsible, came to Baltimore and pawned
the Jewels Of the woman he is supposed to
have loved. The Indications are that he
also took a considerable sum of money
from her, either before or after her
death. There are many who believe that
Mrs. woodin had frequently supplied the
man with needed money. II the two had
eloped together the mans source of
money supply would have been cut off.
DEATH SEALED MYSTERY.
Returning from Baltimore after pawn
ing the jewelry, Eastman showed no trace
of excitement until after the identity of
the body became known and he was told
that he had better not leave the county.
The members OF the coroner's jury who
believe that there is truth in Eastman's
letters, do not assert that he was not the
actual murderer, but they do believe that
he had other visitors at the bungalow
either at the time of, or just prior to,
the tragedy.
Members of the coroner's jury intimated
today that the Investigations into the
identity of persons seen in the launch
coming out of Broad creek on Sunday,
may lead to an arrest at any moment.
Nothing is known of the alleged dis
covery of q 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 substantiation Of the theory that flight
was necessary for Eastman, and that he
planned to have Mrs. Woodill to elope
with him.
It is said today that a witness has been
found who will testify that Eastman had
admitted knowing Mrs. Woodill for some
time prior to her marriage to the Los
Angeles automobile dealer and had board
ed in her house in Los Angeles.
LIGHTNING STRIKES NEAR GRAVE.
Lightning last night split a big tree
within 100 feet of the grave where East
man lies buried.
The bungalow where the inquest is to be
held today is seven miles from here. II
was stripped of all its furniture late Sat
urday by the sheriff Of the county on an
attachment for debt sworn out by nrm
of Easton merchants to whom Eastman
was indebted for a pump. The action of
the sheriff in disturbing the interior of
the cabin prior to TIE conclusion Of the
coroners investigation may be called to
the attention of the grand jury.
Mrs. Eastman is expected to apply to-
day for letters OF administration so that
she may take legal possession of her hus-
bands farm-now his grave yard. She is
not expected to come to ST. Michaels, but
will ask for the issuance of the papers at
Easton.