The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-02-07
TOWN WRAPPED IN GLOOM.
Revelations That Have Stunned the
Staid Citizens Of Greencastle.
al 10 ba dioy,

Specldl 10 the lnuldndpO1S JOufudi
GREENCASTLE. Ind, Feb. 6.-The tale
of crime unfolded in the developments fol-
lowing the identification of poor Pearl
Bryan's headless body has possessed this
quiet college town With a sense OF horror
and woe inexpressible. Excitement
paralleled prevails here. Hundreds OF citi-
zens were up until O'Clock this morning
waiting for news and discussing the events.
That three of Greencastle's most respected
and prominent families should have been
smrched by the vilest Of intrigues and the
basest of crimes. seems almost imcom-
prehensible to her citizens. Surprise at de-
velopments is scarcely exceeded by SYM
Iathy for the grief-stricken parents and
relatives.
The announcement last week that wom-
an wearing pair of shoes. sold by a local
dealer, was found dead seemed not to bear
much import, but as clews Increased and
plots deepened curiosity as to the results
grew apace. When the news of the final
work of the detectives was whispered on
the streets, incredulity was rampant: but
as the word spread and group after group
of excited citizens warmed in discussion
and compared notes, 1t became evident that
the announcements made at first secretly
were not idle gossip. In the minds of the
people, the opinion grew that the dead
woman was Miss Bryan and that two of
Putnam's sons had perpetrated the murder.
Bulletins sent to newspaper correspondents
here were anxiously awaited and scanned,
and by the time that the full confessions
Of Jackson and Walling had been an
nounced to-day there seemed to be no
doubt remaining and no hopes that matters
had been exaggerated.
At the home of the murdered girl, utter
grief, without one ray of hope, prevailed
The rambling white mansion of the Bryans
with its green shutters, back from the
road in the midst of a clump Of pines,
seemed to bespeak anguish. Passing farm
ers checked their teams and glanced with
sympathy toward the curtained windows.
Inside the family sat around the hearth
and occasional visitors spoke in suodued
tones. 1t seemed impossible to them that
their relative and friend could have been
the victim of so horrible a crime. At in
tervals parties of curious gossipers would
intermingle with those who went TO SYM
pathize, but these found little to feed their
appetite. Those on whom the blow bore
most heavily were calm and composed and
accepted their common misfortune and dis
grace. one of them expressed it. one
Of "ife's troubles, meant to be borne.
THE BRYAN FAMILY.
Mr.. Fred Bryan. the Oldest brother of
the dead girl, was seen on the streets this
morning and to inquiring friends and rela-
tives said that some of the family would
go to Cincinnati early tomorrow morning
and he would be of the number. This was
said with significant frmness. The Bryan
family, so closely connected with the Far
rows and other influential families, forms
potent factor in the community and
sympathy is expressed on all sides.
Miss Pearl Bryan had few close friends
in Greencastle. She had attended public
school at the Second ward building and was
a graduate of the High School in the
class of 90 Being quiet and reserved. she
did not become intimate with many Of her
feIlow-pupils. After her graduation she
spent most of the time at home. Her
friends among the young men. however.
were frequent callers at her home, which
is just outside the city. As a virtuous
young woman. her reputation was never
impugned until this fcod OF scandal TIE
affair which brought about yesterdays re-
suits could not have been OF long dura-
ton. II is not known that young Wood
was accustomed TO pay her much atten-
ton previous to last year. and Jackson's
residence in Greencastle was less than six
months. Both Jackson and Wood however.
were frequently seen with her last summer.
In humble little red brick cottage on
Washington street. adjoining the more pre-
tentious dwelling of her daughter, Mrs
Edwin Post, dwells Mrs. Sarah +. Jackson.
mother OF Scott Jackson. While recent de-
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