The herald., 1896-02-20
OF the Premeditated Murder of
Pearl Bryan
CONFIRMATION IS LACKING
Letters Written by Jackson Have Been
Destroyed
The Girl PersistentIy Insists Upon the Truth
Of Her Assertions Search
for Witnesses

CINCINNATI, o., Feb. 19.--Two papers
this morning publish startling state
ment made to them by Miss May Smith Of
Louisville, who is acquainted with the ac-
cused murderers, Walling and Jackson.
She says she was in Cincinnati January
IA, and took supper with Jackson at
Heider's restaurant. jackson told her that
his friend Will Wood at Greencastle, Ind,
had got girl into bad condition, that
Wood was going to send the girl here and
he would put her out of the way. Miss
Smith says she cautioned jackson OF the
danger of discovery in such an enterprise.
He said he was too smart to be discov.
cred. She said after the murder Of Febru-
ary Jackson wrote to her saying he had
disposed of the girl-meaning Pearl Bryan.
The long dash in the letter was left for
Miss Smith to fill in from her memory of
the conversation in Heider's restaurant.
> She says she left that letter in Louisville
oecu ely hidden. If the letter in Jackson's
handwriting can be Obtained it: will be
dtmaging evidence. 1t what she says
about it's hiding place is true the letter will
be forthcoming tomorrow.
The day up to the present writing has
been without incident in the Pearl Bryan
murder case. The story of May Smith of
Louisville, published in two morning pa
pers. in which the woman says jackson
told her of his murderous intentions toward
Pearl Bryan on JANUARY Ia, and wrote to
her since February l, saying the work had
been accomplished, lacks corroboration.
Miss Smith seems unable to produce the
letter. Inquiry by wire sent to Louisville
today brings back the answer that Miss
Smiths letter has been destroyed.
Every possible effort continues to be
made to cast discredit on George II. Jack
sons credibility. One of his principal
assailants is colored Baptist preacher
who Is serving sentence in the Ohio peni-
teutiary.
Governor Bushnell knows the colored
man Jackson and is represented as speak.
ing we'll of him.
Detective Morris of Springfield says
Jackson's story is trustworthy.
This aftercon Miss May Smith, who is
in love with the prisoner Walline, and adj
story s;e told at the Palace hotel to re-
porters of the Commercial Gazette and
Enquirer. 1t was the same brief story,
that jackson had revealed his purpose at
Heider's hotel OH January 1ith. He said
that Will Wood. friend of his, had gotten
Pearl Bryan into bad fix and he was CO.
ing to put her out of the way to screen
Wood.
g She also repeated the story of letter
sent to her by jackson after the murder,
saying that he had given the girl medicine
that had killed her, and then beheaded her
TO prevent recognition. The letters she re-
ceived from Jackson could not be found
today at. Lstner's 621 Fourth street,
Louisville. where che said she had left
them.
Latte Cans of Cunminsvlle, young
lady of irreproachable character, whom
Jackson visited on the Saturday night after
the murder. She could tell nothing in tue
way of testimony. Miss Cans had attended
the Dixie school of dressmaklng in this
city and had been introduced to jackson
by May Smith, who was a teacher in that
school. Jackson asked the privilege OF
visiting her at her home. She declined re-
ceving his visits OH so short an acquaint'
al ce. Miss Cans knew Miss Henry al
Gree icastle. jackson got lei er of in.
PRODUCTION to Miss Cans and presented il
when he visited her on that Saturday
night.
SOME Truth IN IT
LOUISVILLE, Ky., Feb. Decentralization
in this city into the life of May Smith, who
is connected with Jackson and Walling in
the Pearl Bryan affair, develops the fac!
that she game here early in January, being
employed by Byron Lister and wife in the
dress cutting business. She remained there
until SATURDAY. night a week ago, when hel
brother from Covington. Ky.. called for bel
TO take her home.
Mr.. Lister said that on reading the frs
account of the affair he girl appeared hor
rified, as she had been in correspondence
with both jackson and Wailing, and had
tod Mrs. Lister that she was engaged tc
WaIling. Mrs. Lister had seen letters ad
dressed to both men. When the account
came OUT in the newspapers that May
Smith had also been operated Oh by Wal
ling and jackson the girl stoutly denied it
Mr.. Lister said. however. that about weel
Mrs. Fuson, the girl was absent from the
Office whole week, and If the operation
was performed it was done at that time
Mr.. Lister also declared that when the gir
came back to work she appeared altogether
changed, and looked sickiy.
May Smith is between 81 and 22 years
old, has dark eyes and black hair, and il
quite pretty.