Evening star., 1909-06-28
VERDICT NOT REACHED;
NO MATERIAL EVIDENCE
Arrest May Follow Identification Of
Sunday Pleasure Seekers.
SHERIFF STRIPPED BUNGALOW
Grand Jury May Take Cognizance
of His Action Taken Prior to
Completion Of Coroner's
Investigation.

ST MICHAELS. Md. June s.-The
coroners inquest into the death Of pretty
Edith May Woodill resumed today with
several Jurors still convinced that there
was a large element of truth in the letter
left by Lame Bob Eastman, the fusi-
tive broker and suicide, who declared that
there had been party at his bungalow
and that Mrs. Woodill had been attacked
with a champagne bottle and slain by a
jealous woman.
The jury met in the lonely little bunga-
low, itself within sight of the grave
to which the body of Eastman was con-
signed early yesterday morning with no
further ceremony than the muttered pray
ers of few laymen.
After a brief session In the bungalow
the coroner's jury adjourned the hearing
without rendering verdict No very
material new evidence was forthcoming.
Investigation Not to End.
1t is not believed now that a definite
verdict will be rendered by the jury. 1t
the outcome Of today's sitting, Of the In
quest, investigation OF the tragedy will
be carried forward by the law officers Of
the state and county with undiminished
energy.
Theories as to how. when and why the
murder was committed are borne upon
every wind. They are built up and torn
down again at random.
al - a
report circulated last night that Eastman
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 Eastn,an's hiding place had
been discovered and that II was neces-
sary for him to again take flight
AS cold matter Of fact Eastman was
in financial straits and did not have
to say nothing Of the girl. There Is no
indication that Eastman's identity was
about to be discovered by the authorities
The Baltimore police had no thought
that the man known among his neigh
bors on the eastern shore was fugitive
from justice In New York state. Prior
to the murder Roberts neighbors would
have been prepared to defend him
against any imputation Of his character
Took Money and Jewels
After all is said and done the one strik-
ing fact remains that Eastman, follow
ing the murder, for which he claimed
in the letter that he was not response
BILE came to Baltimore and coolly pawned
the jewels of the woman he IL supposed
10 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
Woodill had frequently supplied the man
with needed money. II the two had
eloped together the mans source Of
money supply would have been cut OF.
the dead girls jewelry. Eastman joked
with his acquaintances. showed them a
roll of bills which made the frugal coun-
try residents open their eyes In wonder
sible manner.
He showed no trace OF excitement un-
til after the identity Of the body became
known and he was told that he had bet
ter not leave the county. 1t 10 then that
he made his plans to escape, and. falling
that. to take his own life.
Life did not seem very bitter to
Eastman. as he wrote his wife. until
he was told that he might be wanted
to explain the death Of Edith Woodill
the most popular girl the eastern shore
has ever known.
Want Light on Launch Party.
The members OF the coroners jury who
believe that there Is truth In Eastman's
letter. do not claim that he was not
the actual murderer In the last analysis
but they do believe that he had other
visitors at the bungalow either at the
time. or just prior to the tragedy
These men are anxious that the mys-
terry OF the launch containing two wom-
en- and three men, which was seen COM
ing out OF Broad creek. on which the
bungalow is located, shall be cleared In
some satisfactory way. Three wine
and two whisky glasses which had been
used. were found in the bungalow sub
seQuent to the murder.
In spite of the stories OF many gay
parties and much drinking at the bung-
allow. no one of the many persons who
knew Eastman during his several
months residence here. can be found TO
say that they ever saw the man take
drink either OF wine or whisky
The story sent out that Eastman did
not patronize the local merchants In buy
ing his wines and whisky is ridiculous.
Talbot county has been bone dry for
twenty years.
Arrest May Follow Inquiry.
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 Sunday may
lead to an arrest at any moment Upon
what they base such a claim IL not
known.
The inquiry into the launch incident
may amount to nothing. Sunday Ia a
general excursion day and launch par
ties are not SO infrequent along the east
ern shore as to attract any great degree
OF attention
There may be evidence in the hands of
the authorities which has thus far been
kept from the public and which may
threw new light upon the tragedy. Ger
tain II Is that SO far there is nothing of
tangible nature to take from Eastman 5
shoulders the burden OF responsibility
for the death of Mrs Woodill
Nothing is known here today of the al
legged discovery of 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
CONTINUED on Fourth Page)