The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1897-11-03
PU S AN EMO TO HIS LIFE.
Having Murdered q ais Neighbor he Beame
Convict.


Convict.
Oae night in felon's 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 q strain for Stephen Bryant,
a white convict who had just been re
ceiveG at the prison, to stand and he
has ended his lie. He s. creted pair
OF scissors about Ills person while
working IL the hosiery mill On Thurs
day and during Thursday night he
plunged them into his neck twice, fell
over on the floor and died. His life
blood quickly flowed out through the
gaping wounds he had made. The
guards discovered him just as be was
breathing his last. The body lay as it
was found on the cell floor, making a
| CHASTITY picture, until yesterday morn
ing when the coroners went down to
the prison and gave a permit for the
removal Of the body. Tue story Of
the unfortunate man who has thus
died by his own hand rather than face
life term in prison is a readable one.
Only short time sgo Bryant was
living quietly upon his farm in Marion
county; close bv lived another white
farmer named Prevstt. 1t seems that
one dag Bryan!'s u year old brother
in-law went over to visit Prevatt. Up
On going home be told Bryant stories
about the domestic affairs OF Preyatt.
When Prevatt heard Of il he warned
the boy, who later came &c see him
again and once mocs told tai@S. Tnen
Prevatt gave the bog a moderate
whipping: This made Bryant very
angry and getting his gun be rode
over 10 where PregAlt was working in
his field. He called MIN u2 and ask.
ed him why ne nad whipped the boy.
Prevdit fully explained the matter
Will you do 50 agaln?' demanded
Bryant.
Ii he gives me the same provocs-
ton" was the cool reply.
''Taen take that, and that, shouted
Bcyaat as he discharged h:sa one sud
then tie other barrel OF his guu at the
mead OF Preyatt, almos: tearlng it Off
and killing him instantly.
At the rial, which took place in
Marion aad was ended last week, the
evidence against Bryant was over
whel ming, but on account Of the plea
o:unsound mind, which was worked
for all It was worth oy the counsel for
Bryant, the jury, while finding By.
aat guilty, saw dt to recommend him
to the mercy OF the court, tnereby Sc.
curing life sentencs for him instead
ofsivlng him death upon the scatf I'D.
B:yans was brought here to begin
his life term in prison on Wednesday.
ae WAS put to work in the hosiery
mill and given s 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 70 ais fate. He
mad then determined, however, to kill
himself, for he watched his caance
during the day aud slipped a pair Of
scissors into MS jacket while working
in the mill. At $50 o'clock he YVES
seat so his cell for the night. Nothing
more .E:ts heard or thought of him un-
til 10:3J O'Clock a. night. At nigat a
key man., trussy convict, is keptin
The corridor inside the main cage, to
attend &c tne wants Of the prisoners
during tbs night il case they are sick
or anything OF that kind. On Thurs
day niyhs Con 7ict Hunter WAS on his
duty. IN answering call fron one
OF the cells he had to pass By the cell
occupied by Bryant. He heard a
strange gurgling sound in The cell
and notified sne guard.
Corporal SniEn caus quickly and
The cell was opened. y revolving
scsne was presented. On ths 1oor
lay Bryant breathing MS Last; the
body lay 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 fea moments.
Sail tightly clincned Ii his hand were
the SCISSORS VITA whlca he haj ended
ais earthly career.
Ssraiga9enlng the body OFT the cor
poral aad the guards oace more lock-
cd the dor and left the building to
wait Tue coming OF day. Then Coro-
ner Green WAS notified and IN short
time he was q. tue prlsoa. E5 enter
cd The cell and saw enough to con-
vincs hin thai It WAS case OF self
distraction and that it wsS not neces.
sary TO hold an Inquest. Accordingly,
ne granted a permit for the ouriai ii
Lhs bod y and 1t was removed to the
prison mocgue.--Colum5ia Stats.