The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1909-06-29
EAS TMAN MURDERER
OR AN ACCESSORY
Compromise Verdict of Cor
Oner's Jury in the Notorious
WOOdill Case.
EVIDENCE THAT ROBBERY
WAS MOTIVE OF CRIME
Fiendish Goodness of the Sup
posed Slayer Indicated by
Latest Developments.

ST. MICHAELS. Md, June 2s.-The
verdict of the coroner's S jury in the
Woodill murder case was that East
man killed Edith May Thompson Wood
Ill or was accessory to the murder
1t was a compromise verdict, as four
Of the members of the jury refused to
sign until the words cor was acces-
sorry TO the murder were added
The jury met in the lonely little bun
galow itself within eight yards of the
grave to which the body Of Eastman
was consigned early yesterday. 1t is
not believed now that a definite verdict
will be rendered by the jury and it is
certain that no matter what may be
the outcome OF today's sitting Of the
inquest, investigation Of the tragedy
will be carried forward by the law Off
GERS Of the state and county with undi-
mlnished energy.
Eastman Hard Up.
The authorities give no Gredence to
Il report circulated last night that East.
man tried to induce Mrs. Woodill to
elope to Europe with him and that he
u.
port went on to state that Eastman s
hiding place had been discovered and
that it was necessary for him to take
to fight. AS cold matter of fact
Eastman was in financial straits and
did not have money enough to take him
self to Europe, to say nothing OF the
girl.
After all is said and done, the one
striking fact remains that Eastman, fol
lowing the murder, went to Baltimore
and pawned the jewels of the woman he
is supposed TO have loved. The indica
tions are that he also took Il consider
able sum of money from her, There
are many who believe that Mrs. Woodill
had frequently supplied the man with
money. Returning to Buffalo after
pawning the dead girl S iewelrv, East
man ioked with his acquaintances
showed them a large roll OF bills and
conducted himself in the coolest pos
sible manner. He showed no trace oi
excitement until after the identity OF
the body became known and he was tolC
not 10 leave the country. IT was ther
that lie made his plans to escape.
Conflicting Testimony.
The members OF the eoroncr's jury
who believed there may be some truth
in Eastman s letter were anxious that
the mystery of the launch containing
two women and three men which was
seen coming out of Broad creek on
which the bungalow is located, shall be
cleared up. Three wine and two whisky
glasses which had been used were found
in the bungalow subsequent to the mur
der. In spite Of the stories of many
gay parties and much drinking in the
bungalow. no one of the many persons
who knew Eastman during his several
months residence here can be found to
sav they ever saw the man take 4 drink
either of wine or whisky.
II was minated today that the new
Investigations into the identity OF the
launch party NAV lead TO an arrest al
any moment. However. it is certain
that so far there is nothing tangible 10
take from Eastman IS shoulders the bur.
den Of possibility for Mrs. Wood
i'll S death.
Nothing is known here of the alleged
discovery of a partly burned note which
is said to have warned Eastman that
his presence in Baltimore last Tues
day was known TO the police. This
note was given on the theory that flight
was necessary for Eastman and that
he planned to have Mrs Woodill elope
with him.
Interesting Testimony.
Three witnesses gave interesting tes-
timony before the coroncr's jury, but
developed nothing to change materially
the complexion of the strange case.
William Sutton. who went 10 the
shack to ask Eastman 10 attend re-
ligious meeting, definitely fixed the
time of his visit as Sunday afternoon
between and 6 clock. This als,.
definitely fixes the time of the mur.
der as occurring on Sunday night. SUIT
ton swore positively that he heard Mrs.
Woodill's voice. There was nothing to
in pdicate that she and Eastman were or
had been engaged in a quarrel,
George Powell testified that he spent
all day Sunday at Sutton s farm, within
view of the bungalow and that he saw
no one 90 near the shack that day.
Powell said he met Eastman on Wedncs-
dav in front of the bungalow ard that
for the first time III their acquaintance
Eastman did not ask him 10 come in.
Eastman said he had lust returned from
the greatest trip of his life. and that
he bad had experiences which would
make great reading.
with the story that party of people
in Il launch visited the bungalow on
Sunday.
Girls Got Gold Feet
Powell said Eastman told him he had
picked up some girls at st. Micbaels
on Saturday and had asked them if
they would go TO the bungalow in his
launch They agreed and everything
went well until the launch grounded off
Robert Seth s placc. Then the girls got
"a 'coid feet, ~ Eastman said. and wanted
TO go home. Eastman said he wanted
The girls to take OF their shoes and
and wade ashore. This they
refused to do. He then waded ashore
and asked Seth 10 lend him boat Us
be had two ladies to protect.
Eastman said he eventually got the
girls ashore. stole George Taylor's team
and drove them home, The witness. pre-.
,umed he meant the girls home.
Robert Seth testified that Eastman
appeared at his place Sunday night be
.ween II and ll:30 o clock, saying his
launch was ashore, that he had .
lady on board and that he would
not have Seth know who she was for
$1,000. Seth said he agreed to let East