Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-06-25

ST. -MItudCio, june = iaStiSaiiy
the entire shore of Maryland was aroused
today and searching for one Emmitt E.
or John T. Roberts, wanted In connec-
ton with the brutal murder of Mrs. Edith
May Woodil, wife Of Gilbert Woodill. an
automobile dealer of Los Angeles Cal.
whose nude body. the skull crushed in
from. a blow apparently delivered from
behind, the face horribly disfigured, the
entire body swollen from the effects of
several days immersion and weighted
with an iron pot containing half dozen
bricks, was yesterday discovered by boys
who were grabbing in Back creek, trib
utary of the Choptank river, not far from
the home of Mrs. Woodill's foster father,
Capt. Charles II. Thompson, near st.
Michaels. Roberts was with Mrs. Woodil
when she was seen for the last known
time and he is accused of having COM
mitted the murder. The motive for the
crime is at present my stery.
Roberts is described by the police as
about so years old feet, 6 inches tall,
stout. smooth shaven, with abundant
bushy hair and a ruddy complexion. H
limps and wears a brace on one leg. He
claimed to be a magazine writer and gen.
eral correspondent of newspapers. He is
even said to have declared that he re-
turned to this locality after short alb
sence for the express purpose of writing
up the murder which he is now accused
of having committed.
Mr.. and Mrs Woodill came here early
this month, the latter with the inten-
ton of spending the summer with her fos-
| tel father. Her husband remained only
few days, leaving, it is understood, for
Detroit, whence he intended to return to
Los Angeles From that time Mrs. Wood
| i'll and Roberts are said to have seen
much of each other. Last Saturday Mrs
Woodill went to Easton to have some
dental work done, and it had been ar
ranged that Roberts should meet her at
| Royal Oak and return with her to her
| hcme. Roberts missed the train for
Royal Oak. and drove there, met Mrs
| Woodill and drove with her back here to
the landing, where his launch was mood
| ed. They entered the launch and Mrs
| Woodll was not seen again alive, SO far
as has been learned.
| Since her disappearance Roberts has
| made a trip to Baltimore, from which
| point letter was received by Capt
Thompson. ostensibly from Mrs Woodill
saying she was in that city and would
shortly return. Roberts remained in this
| neighborhood until after the finding of
the body. He had previously endeavored
to allay the growing uneasiness of Capt
Thompson in connection with his foster
daughters absence and used the letter re-
ferred to as evidence in support of his
contention that she was all right and
| would soon return
When the body was brought ashore it
| was SO horribly swollen, that, Capt.
| Thompson could not at first believe that
it was the body of Mrs. Woodill, who is
said to have weighed only about 100
pounds. The identification was made
positive, however. by the dentist whom
Mrs. Woodill visited professionally in
| Easton.
| Investigations since made indicate
that when Roberts and Mrs. Woodill
left here they went in the launch to a
bungalow that is being built on Rob
| ert'S small farm, near that of Capt
| Thompson, and that in this bungalow
| the murder was committed. There We're
| found bloody sheet and mattress and
portions of woman's clothes. partly
burned These have been identified as
having belonged to Mrs. Woodill. There
We're also found in the bungalow a pail
of corduroy trousers in the pockets OF
| which were two letters. One is believ-
ed to have been from Mrs. WoOdill and
to have some connection with the meet
| ing at Royal Oak was dated June 16
and read:
| Dear Wobby:
Cant come down. Haven't even hat
my morning additions and I know how
men hate waiting. Why. I would bt
afraid YOU would wear out the parlo1
rug plus your temper if you tried it. II
is only an intermittent delirum any.
how, and you had better go and 'Wasf
your dishes even without an imigna
ton. You must know I be thinking OF
you"
| This was signed doll Raby."
| The room showed evidences of {
| struggle having taken place. The
bungalow was searched last night. L