The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1896-05-06
SCOTT JAcKsON's STORY.
Defendant In Pearl Bryan Murder Case
Takes the Stand,

or innocent, Scott Jackson is possessed Of
wonderful nerve. Under the Kentucky
criminal code the defendant, If he wishes
to testify in his own behalf. must be the
first witness introduced by the defense
Consequently Jackson was called to the
stand Thursday morning. With self-pos-
session and nerve which aroused both ad-
miration and amazement he told his story
in a calm, clear voice and without a ire
NOR Not once during the six hours he
was on the stand did ne contradict him
self, and the straightforward. unhesitat-
ing manner in which he answered all ques-
lions propounded made a decided impress
sion on everyone who heard him.
jackson recited the incidents of his life
up to the time he was arrested for COM
plicity in the murder or Pearl Bryan. He
met Miss Bryan in Greencastle, Ind, in
1891, being introduced to her by win Wood.
His acquaintance resulted in undue famil-
iarity with her. Wood had acknowledged
like familiarity. In November, 1895,
while living in Cincinnati. he received a
letter from Wood in which the latter said
he was in trouble with Miss Bryan.
jackson then detailed his correspondence
with Wood, in which it was arranged that
the Bryan girl should go to Cincinnati.
He spoke to Alonzo Walling. his room
mate, who said he would try to help Wood
out. When Miss Bryan came to Cincinnati
Jackson and Walling called on her. She
gave Jackson her valise requesting him TO
keep 1t until Walling should get her
room On the afternoon of the same day
Jackson and Miss Bryan took walk.
The couple agreed to meet that evening
at seven O'Clock at Fourth and Race
streets. That night Jackson took the girl
to Wallingford's saloon and met Walling
there. After another walk Jackson took
the girl to her hotel, agreeing to send
Walling to meet her the next day. The fol-
lowing evening he looked for Walling but
could not find him. There was package
lying on his trunk. He opened 1t and FOUND
1t contained a shirt and box of face
powder He took them to the river and
threw them overheard. When he returned
he found Walling in the room. He re-
ceived an invitation to go downstairs and
spend the evening and did so. Tuesday
morning he attended a lecture and spent
the afternoon at his room.
Jackson continued: "Walling told me
that afternoon to take valise and bundle
to the depot and put them under seat. On
the road down 1 saw gate open, so
threw the bundle into the gate. I was
afraid to leave the valise, for fear some
one would see me, so l brought it back
and left 1t at Kuger's saloon. Wednesday
evening after supper I met Walling at AL
bion's barber shop and he said he wanted
me to write to Wood to tell him to send a
letter to PEARLS folks and say she had gone
to some other place l foolishly complied
with his request. I wrote Wood a letter
after that, but did not tell him had made
a mistake. I then started home and was
intercepted by Detective Bulner and taken
to the central station. l was told I was
under arrest for the murder of Pearl Bryan
and Col. Deitsch asked me if I killed
Pearl Bryan. I said no. They told me
had to answer their questions. Deitsch
asked what I had done with Pearl Bryan's
head. and I told them had not seen it."
Too had IN A{ou he aff rxH
Of the officials and reporters to make him
confess the crime, but declared he did not
do so.
He again went over his doings that week
and told every place he visited and the
time he spent at each. He said: II did
not see Pearl alive after left her at noon
Wednesday. I was not with her at the
music hall Wednesday afternoon. I stayed
in my room that afternoon. I was not out
on the Licking pike Thursday at any time.
Walling did not come to the house Wednes-
day. l was not at Bellevue Thursday or
Friday. Never was at Bellevue or Day.
ton, KY. Was at Fort Thomas one Sat-
urday afternoon. walling and I were out
| riding. We went to the end of the car
line and spent probably 30 minutes at the
barracks. never was in Fort Thomas ex-
cept that time"
Friday morning he was shaved He had
worn whiskers since November j. He
oAdfcu tueIn OH at the suggestion OF FREQ
Albion. barber. He continued:
II received letter from my mother jan
uary q saying she would send me money
within few days. l received draft from
her Saturday. I bought a paper and read
1t while was eating my supper Walljng
was with me and said he didn't care TO
read it. He got up and left. When 1 fin-
ished eating supper I went to my room and
found Walling there. He had several bum
dies tied up. He said: Jack, help me get
rid of these. 7 asked why, and he refused
to tell me, but said: Throw them in to the
river and I'll tell you afterward.' I took
the bundles and went toward the bridge
When I got to the bridge one of the pack
ages had become opened. l noticed II con-
tanned woman's underwear and pair
of stockings. was scared and didn't know
what to do. I didn't have chance to
throw the valise away, so kept 1t with me,
and as I was afraid to take it to my room
I left 1t at Kuger's saloon. Walling told
me when in our room that he had thrown
the head overheard.
"Col. Deitsch came to me one morning
and said: I'm going to send you to Ken
lucky. The people over there are just
aching to get hold of such persons as you
If you don't tell me where that head is
within five minutes, over the river you go
They could not get me to do this and left
after saying I would be taken to Newport
at once. In the afternoon they came and
took me over to an undertaking establish
ment, and in the presence of the dead girl 8
family was forced to view the remains
and answer questions. They tried to scare
me into making a confession by telling
me they would hang me if 1 didn't I was
exhibited to about 5000 people during the
first four days, and almost everyone iden-
titled me.
IT first saw George H. Jackson, the col
ored cab driver. who claims to have driven
70 C0rt h1,, ,, Co.
my arrest. I was taken into the presence
of about 30 people, and Jackson was re-
quested to pick out anyone he knew. After
a few moments he picked out Walling as
the man who sat on the scat with him. He
didn't recognize me until some one adj
dressed me as Jackson
Col Crawford closed his examination
and no tion was desired nv