The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-06-25

been ward of former Secretary of
the Treasury Lyman J. Gage, came
here with the intention of spending
the summer. Her husband remained
only few days, leaving, it is under
stood, for Detroit, whence he intended
to return to Los Angeles. From that
| time, Mrs. Woodill 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 arranged that Roberts
should meet her and return with her
to her home. Roberts met Mrs.
WoodilI and drove with her back here
to the landing where his launch was
moored. They entered the launch and
Mrs Woodill was not seen again alive,
so far as has been learned.
Remnants of Burned Clothing.
Investigation indicates that when
Roberts and Mrs Woodill left here
they went in the launch to bungalow
that is being built on Roberts's small
| murder was committed. There were
found bloody sheet and mattress
and portions of the woman's clothes,
partly burned. These have been iden-
tilted as having belonged to Mrs.
| Woodin There were also found in
| the bungalow pair of corduroy
trousers, in the pocket of which were
| two letters. One believed to have
l
some connection with the meeting at
Royal Oak, was dated June 16, and
| read:
Dear wobby: Can't come down.
Haven't even had my morning ablu-
lions and I know how men hate wait
| ing Why, 1 would be afraid you
would wear out the parlor rug plus
your temper if you tried it. 1t is only
an intermittent delirium, anyhow, and
you had better go and wash your
| n eyjnafiOn
you must know 1 be thinking of you"
This was signed Doll baby"
| The other letter dated the 18th from
Easton, read:
Roberts: Ryan and Short will arrive
Oxford boat II o'clock tonight. Cap
tain Lee will take US over to your
joint Get there about 1910. but must
leave after looking the place over.
Sorry you have decided not to go this
time. Girls all at Annapolis. Here is
tc. the one you sent for me. Yours,
"HOWARTH."
Evidences of Struggle.
The room in which these things were
found shows evidences of a struggle
having taken place. The bungalow was
searched. 1t was discovered that
crabbers in the river early Tuesday
morning were passed by a vessel from
which they saw an apparently heavy
object thrown into the water with a
splash. 1t is supposed that the vessel
was Roberts launch and that it was
Mrs Woodilrs body and its weight that
were cast into the water. The iron pot
fused to weight the body has been iden-
Titled as having been at a house on the
present site of Roberts bungalow, that
vas burned some time ago and the
rope with which it was attached to
the body is a piece of new sash cord,
such as is being used in the bungalow
under construction.
| Mrs Woodill is said to have been
married to Woodill about a year ago.
She is said, also, to have been previous
lly married to a physician of New York
city whose name however, could not
be learned. There is a mystery, too,
about the parentage of the dead wo-
man, who, Captain Thompson, her fos-
ter parent, says was % years old and
who was obtained by him when she
was but 2 years old from the family
of a poor street car man in Minneapo-
lis.
was given an excellent musical educa-
ton.
Former Secretary of the Treasury L.
III. Gage took q great deal of interest
lin Mrs. Woodill prior to her marriage
and it is said, after that event also. He
lis reported TO have brought her and
Mr. Woodill together. The former sec
rotary of the treasury visited his young
protege at Captain Thompson's, and
lshe is said to have visited him several
times in California. and to have spo-
lken of him as Papa Gage"
Believed to Be Failed Broker.
New York, June 25.-It is now be-
lieved the slayer OF Mrs Woodill may
have been Lame Bob" Eastman, z
Wall street broker. who failed a veal
OF more ago. Eastman was arrested
lin Chicago, August last year.
| Eastman failed in New York las
July with liabilities of from $150,000 tt
$500. 900. He was a broker on the con
solidated exchange. He left the city
land was arrested in Chicago on Angus
4 On complaints made by persons wht
had lost money through his operations
He was locked up in the Harrison
istreet station, Chicago, where he shared
a cell with two trampS.
Owned Property at Bogota.
Bogota, N. J.. June 25.-Robert E,
Eastman was known here as a stool
HE lived here about year up to las
december, when following his failur,
in business during the fall he left town
HE was understood to be married bu
his wife was not here with him. East
Imam was the owner of $1,000 or $500
worth of building lots in Bogota ant
tthey are believed to be standing il
his name.
| Her Family History.
| Minneapolis, Mimi, June 25-Anns
IPearl WITT, (Mrs. WoodilD was borr
November 80. 1885, in Acotin county
Washington Territory. She is tbs
Knight Witt. She was adopted b.
lCharles H. and Laura E. Thompson
October 13, 1890.
HER ROMANTIC CAREER.