The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1897-11-03
Ended in Tragedy.

One night in felons cell in the
State Penitentiary, with the prospect
of spending the remainder of his life
within those massive stone walls and
grated doors and windows, proved too
much of strain for Stephen Bryant,
a white convict who had just been re-
ceived at the prison, to stand, and he
has ended his lie. He secreted pair
of scissors about his person while
working in the hosiery mill on Thurs
day and during Thursday night he
plunged them into his neck twice, fell
oyer on the floor and died. His life
blood quickly flowed out through the
gaping wounds he had made. The
guards discovered him just as he was
breathing his last. The body lay as it
was found on the cell floor, making a
ghastly picture, until yesterday morn
ing, when the coroner went down to
the prison and gave a permit for the
removal of the body. The story of
the unfortunate man who has thus
died by his own hand rather than face
life term in the prison is readable
one.
Only short time ago Bryant was
living quietly upon his farm in Marion
County; close by lived another white
farmer named Prevatt. It seems that
one day Bryant's 12-year-old brother
in-law went over to visit Prevatt.
Upon going home he told Bryant
stories about the domestic affairs Of
Prevatt. When Prevatt heard of it
he warned the boy, who later came to
see him again and once more told
tales. Then Prevatt gave the boy a
moderate whipping. This made Bry-
ant very angry, and, getting his gun,
he rode over to where Prevatt was
working in his field. He called him
up and asked him why he had whipped
the boy. Prevatt fully explained the
matter.
"Will you do so again2" demanded
Bryant.
''If he gives me the same 'provoca-
tion," was the cool reply.
''Then take that, and that, shout
ed Bryant, as he discharged first one
and then the other barrel Of his gun
at the head of Prevatt, almost tear
ing it off and killing him instantly.
At the trial, which took place in
Marion and was ended last week, the
evidence against Bryant was over
whelming but on account Of the plea Of
unsound mind, which was worked for
all it was worth by the counsel for
Bryant, the jury, while finding, Bry-
ant guilty, saw fit to recommend him
to the mercy of the Court, thereby Sc
curing life sentence for him instead
of giving him death upon the scaffold.
Bryant was brought here to begin
his life term in prison on Wednesday.
he was put to work in the hosiery
mill and given a comfortable cell in
the main building. He managed to
get through Wednesday night in his
cell, and on Thursday appeared to be
passive and resigned to his fate. He
had then determined, however, to kill
himself, for he watched his chance
during the day and slipped pair of
scissors into his jacket while working
in the mill. At $50 o'clock he was
sent to his cell for the night. Nothing
more was heard or thought Of him un-
til 1890 o'clock at night. At night a
"key man" trusty convict, is kept
| in the corridor outside the main cage,
to attend to the wants of the prison
ers during the night in case they are
sick or anything of that kind. On
Thursday night convict Hunter was
on this duty. In answering a call
from one of the cells he had to pass
by the cell occupied by Bryant. He
heard strange gurgling sound in the
cell and notified the guard.
Corporal Smith came quickly and
the cell was opened. A revolving
scene was presented. On the floor
lay Bryant breathing his last; the
bodytlay in pool Of the mans life
blood, which was still flowing from a
gaping wound on the left side Of his
neck. He died in very few moments.
Still tightly clinched in his hand were
the scissors with which he had ended
his earthly career.
Strengthening the body out the cor
poral and the gr r1s one" more locked
the door and eft the building to
await the coming of day. Then Coro-
ner Green was notified and in short
time he was at the prison. He en-
tered the cell and saw enough to con-
vince him that it was case of self
destruction and that it was not neces-
sary to holda inquest. Accordingly
he granted permit for the burial OF
the body and it was removed to the
prison morgue.-Colun,bia State, Oct.
3O