New-York tribune., 1909-06-29
Final Theory That He Killed MrS.
IFoodM after q Quarrel.


the case the tragedy became a closed incident to-
day.
Four Of the twelve jurors who listened to the
testimony at the reopened inquest refused 10 sign
the verdict until the words 'or accessory 10 the
crime were added TO the draft which. approved
by the majority. buntly accused Eastman of the
murder None of the four dissenting jurymen
would say that any other person than Eastman
was responsible for the girls death. They merely
wished 10 protest they said, against the manner
in which the inquiry conducted. declaring that
much available evidence was not adduced.
The letter left by Eastman for his wife. in which
he declared that Mrs. Woodn had been killed by
woman in Jealous frenzy, was not read TO the
jury The officials seemed 10 take II for granted
all the evidence unearthed since the finding
Of the body was well known to the residents OF
the community and that II unnecessary that II
should again be rehearsed. There just a BIT
Of petty politics mixed up the verdict. too for
some Of the members of the jury have heen bitter
political enemies in Talbot County affairs
The jury for time to-day in the lonely hunga-
low itself within sight OF Eastman's unmarked
grave. Mrs. Eastman had visited the place earlier
the day. and had stood dryeyed for time beside
the new-made mound. Some one, with hl-judged
humor had planted a tomato vine on the grave
Mrs Eastman, thinking the vine native flower
asked what It No one answered. She stood
by the grave until at last convulsive shudder
shook her shoulders. Then she was led away The
testimony given before the jury made clear many
roints in the tragedy which heretofore have been
matters Of conjecture The mysterious launch
which reported as having been seen near the
bungalow on the Sunday following the disappear
ance Of Mrs woodin did materialize in the evi-
dence adduced Residents Of the neighborhocd Of
the bungalow were piled with questions as to the
launch. but had seen it No one was seen
about the bungalow the Sunday "heh Mrs-
Woodm was slain. There was absolutely no evi-
dence that any one other than Eastman could nave
been responsible for the crime.
THEORY OF THE CRIME,
The final theory OF the authorities is this
That Eastman was in need OF money; that he
probably had been getting money from Mrs WOOD
i'll for some time; that he undoubtedly knew some
thing Of her past life and that he had been black
mailing her; that he attempted 10 continue this
nracrice and the woman rebened ntnsting that
she. too. had found certain things about East
man. and that, if driven to it, she would expose
him.
Eastman's dread of serving term in the penltef-
tiary was we'll known His wife has said that he
told her he would rather commit suicide than ne
confined in prison The pa wning Of the tewelry the
authorities the desire of Eastman TO get
away. When cornered the man decided that MS
race had been run and that he had better make an
end f. all AS to why Mrs. Woodill went TO Inc
bungalow there evidence
An interesting development Of to-day was the
finding Of the scraps Of torn letter in the cracks
the bungalow floor. Little OF sense could be
made from the fragments. but the writing was
identified as that of Mrs. Woodill The letter evil
IDENTIFY was about the visit Of some one 10 some
place, TO be 'chaperoned not, as she saw fit
Whether not the letter could have had any bear
ing upon the there way OF telling.
The coroner's jury adjourned from the bungalow
TO Mcdaniel and then to ST. Michaels where the
verdict was announced It was TO the effect that
on Sunday June 90 in his bungalow on Broad
Creek Robert E. Eastman feloniousy killed, or
accessory TO the crime OF numbering. Edith
May Thompson WoodilI wife OF Gilbert Woodill.
Of Los Angeles CAL
The four jurymen who dissented were Alexander
Radcliffe. the foreman, who is undertaken John
H Jones' jr.. an insurance agent: George Carey.
butcher and Charles Hamilton. drygoods clerk.
Coroner Sparks. who conducted the inquest, and
Mr.. Radcliffe the foreman Of the jury both under
takers. are business rivals. and the natives com
mented tonight on the fact that they usually
disagreed about everything"
1t was decided to-day not 70 make an analysis
Of the contents of the bottle found in the shack
yesterday. and which believed 10 have
tanned narcotic drugs. which may nave been used
upon Mrs. Woodill prior 10 her murder. The Coro-
ner remarked that the county already had spent
money enough upon the case
WIFE WILL GET PROPERTY.
Mrs. Eastman received letters of administration
to-day. and all of her husbands real and personal
property will be turned over TO her. She will go
back 10 New York soon and return 70 the stage
William Sutton. George Powell and Robert Seth,
all neighbors of Eastman. were the important
witnesses of the day Il Sutton who went 10
visit bugalow ask Eastman. or Roberts.
he vas then known, 10 attend a religious meeting.
Sutton fixed the time Of his visit definitely for the
first time as between and o'clock in the after
noon His testimony also fixed the time Of the
murder positively Sunday night. Sutton said as
he drew near the bungalow he heard voices within,
and knew that Eastman had a visitor or two, He
could not say how many voices there were. but he
recognized that of Mrs. Woodill
Il knew then that il place for me- said
Sutton and I went away I saw George Taylor's
horse and buggy standing outside, however. and
stopped TO pick up a rein which mad fallen be
meath the horses feet
Sutton declared that Mrs Woodill was speaking In
an ordinary conversational tone, and there
nothing 20 indicate that quarrel was or had been
in progress
George Powell said that he had spent practically
the entire Sunday sutton's place which com
rnands an uninterrupted view of the bungalow.
and he saw no one enter or leave the place. He
did see the horse and buggy which Sutton had testi-
fed to. but did not see any mysterious eild floil
appointed launch
The witness related long conversation he had
with Eastman in front of the bungalow on Wednes
day morning.
..1rsuaIIv when passed he invited me in" said
Powell but Wednesday he did not, and I thought
q, q lirtIe strange Eastman said he had just
turned from the greatest time in his life. and that
he had had experiences which would make great
reading He said he had got some girls over at
St Michaels and had asked them If they wouldn't
like to go to his bungalow. They said they would,
and everybody got in the launch and started out.
A storm arose, however. and Eastman said the
girls got cold feet he expressed IT, and wanted
to go home Then they ran aground of Bob
Seth's place
Eastman said he wanted the girls to take off
+be,r shoes and stockings and wade ashore, but
they would not do this, and he waded ashore alone
10 get a boat. Eastman said he told Seth he had
80 Ia6ies 20 protect in the launch. After getting
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