The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-02-23
THE CASE OF PEARL BRYAN


The case of Pearl Bryan takes rank
as one of the most remarkable muir
ders of a period prolific of such crimes
The men accused of the murder, like
their victim, come of good families,
are we'll educated and have enjoyed the
entree TO polite society. All the prin-
cipals would pass as cultivated young
people, free from bad habits or vicious
tendencies. Supposedly they had
fine sense of honor. Subsequent in
vestigation, however. has revealed a
previous stain upon the reputation of
Scott Jackson. A few years ago he
became involved jointly with another
man in an embezzlement of $4,000
from the Pennsylvania Railroad com
pany. Jackson turned states evidence
against his companion in guilt and
was allowed to go free.
Then Jackson entered a dental col
lege at Indianapolis, and more recently
a similar institution at Cincinnati. He
made occasional visits to friends ait
Greencastle, Ind, and there met Pearl
Bryan, the remarkably handsome
daughter of a prosperous farmer. Last
September he accomplished Miss Bry-
ans ruin. In January he was inform
ed by Miss Bryan that her disgrace
could be concealed little longer Then
was opened a correspondence in which
! instructions were given the girl which
she followed to her death. The girl
10, IN
| Indianapolis. but was really to go to
| Cincinnati, where jackson said he had
made the necessary preparations for
| a criminal operation. He had taken
| into his confidence Alonzo Walling. a
| fellow student at the Cincinnati Den
tai college, and also VIII Wood, the
| 20-year-old son of the presiding elder
| of the Greencastle district of the
Methodist Episcopal church. Will is
PEARLS cousin. He was to make the
arrangements for getting the girl out
of Greencastle.
1t is now thought that Jackson and
walling never had any intention of
having an operation performed. II
| they had il was abandoned early.
| They did not take Wood into their
| confidence as to the change of plan
The week before the girl came jackson
had been reading up on poisons and
their effect. He made special inquiry
as to cocaine and prussic acid. Miss
Bryan reached Cincinnati and regis
tered as Mabel Stanley at a hotel She
saw Jackson and Walling severa
times. and on Friday night. Jan. 81
she met them at a saloon, where they
told her they would take her to &
room where she would be cared for
The confessions" of the two youns
men conflict materially as TO the sub
sequent proceedings.
The most credible theory is tina
jackson gavesthe girl twenty grains o
cocaine in glass of soda water whei
they were in the saloon. Then tn
two took a carriage and were after
ward Joined by Walling. They drov
over to the Kentucky side of the river
near the point where the body wa
! found. The girl was dying from tn
effects OF the drug. but was still abb
70 walk. They conducted her TO a dis
lance from the roadway, and, whel
! the drug overcame her. they cut he
head from her body with razor whicl
Jackson had carried for that purpose
r | They did this 10 drain the body of il
, | blood. so that a chemical analyst
I | would not detect the poison. and ais
= 10 prevent Identification. Pearl
5 satchel had been brought in the car
e riage The girl did not know why sh
I had been asked to bring IL. The youn