The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-03-20

many regard as the clearest explanation he
has Yet made of his connection with the
case, though ii is contradicted by much
evidence that was introduced by the pros
ecution. One of the strongest points ever
brought out against Walling, and one that
caused more hard feelings against him, was
the one that connected him with the girl
when she was at the depot ready 10 leave
Cincinnati for home; This has caused peo1
her she would not have died at all. A
number are inclined TO believe May smith
along with Wallng, and put their stories
together readily. There are others mere,
however, and a great number OF them VINO
believe Walling should hang, so IL can be
safely SAID that pubic opinion so Iar as
obtainable is divided. What friends he has
are ~outspoken about IL and more so to-day
than ever before.
The arrival of papers to-day containing
the confessions of Jackson and Walling
and the page history OF the great crime In
the Indianapolis Journal caused the Green
castle public TO again temporarily drop
business and discuss over the great crime.
The confessions are, OF course, the most
interesting piece of news. bat the people IN
Greencastle believe that the whole truth
has never been told. a reporter visited the
Bryan family to-day and learned how they
regard the confessions. Mr. Bryan, rather
of the dead girl, said he had the matter
read to him and he thought the confessions
only an ingeniously woven story 10 try 10
escape the gallows. The men, he said, now
admit being on the ground at Fort Thomas
and Jackson to being a party TO the decap-
~itation, and they In substance tell enough
" SnON SulNy ~ NHN N'rN
MIR. Bryan does not think that his daughter
died at Bellevue and in the parlor of DIR.
Wagner's house. but adheres TO his original
belief that she died at Fort Thomas. He
set out in detail his foundations OF belief
for his opinion, and says nothing can shake
him IN his opinion. None OF his family Will
go to Newport.
Among those leaving to-day were Attor-
ney S. A. Hays, a. A. Black, II. S. Renick
and several newspaper representatives.
They will all witness the execution of the
men. Many Greencastle people who have
followed the case faithiully from peginhing
TO end in all its details do not put any faith
i'm the stories of the men at this time.
they argue that the two criminals have
repeatedly stated that they know nothing
to tell and now when they step up with a
story saying they have something OF inn
portance, and in that they seek to throw
the actual crime on DR.. Wagner. who has
been insane and cannot defend himself,
that their present story cannot be relied on.
On the other hand. many think that the
Jackson and Waliing confessions are the
most plausible and s~traightest stories that
they have yet told, and not 4 few are In
clined to believe there is something In
The reference to Will Wood causes no
surprise here, although Jackson contra
diets himself on some of his earlier state,
Greencastle, nor has he been here for some
time. He left here after his trip to Indian
apolis, where il was rumored he would
enter a dental college. A great amount of
sympathy for Mrs. Post and Mrs. jack
son, the relatives of Scott Jackson. in their
last trying hours is expressed, and Mrs.
Walling comes in for a share of 1t. She
also is known here through her late visit.
The review of the great case as presented
in the Journal this morning was one or the
best histories of The case published, and II
is being carefully preserved. The case IN
all IFS details has attracted more interest
here than any in the history of the town,
and for years to come it will be the talk.
There is still no talk here as to whether
Jackson's body will be brought here for
burial. 1t is altogether likely that IL will
not be, as no arrangements have as yet
been made.