The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-30
SHIRLEY BRAGG TAXES OWN LIFE
 IN MONTGOMERY Dead Body Is Found By Wife In Their Home On
 Perry Street
DEATH IS A SHOCK TO
 THE STATE OF ALABAMA
Had Just Told Wife That He Felt Un- usually WeII-Had Been III For Some Time-Was Useful
 Officer of the State.

Shirley Bragg, state jail and cotton mill inspector, took his own life at his home, No. s14 South Perry street, about o'clock this morning. The means of death was Ss calibre revolver. The bullet evidently entered at the mouth, as there is only one hole, just back of the left ear.
 It is thought by some that this hole might have been made from the outside, and the theory is advanced that after all the shot may have been the result of an accident, as it would have been rather unlikely for him to have reached so far back vixen the temple was in easy ac- cess.
 No note or letter or word of any kind was left. Mrs. Bragg found him across the bed with life extinct shortly after he had spoken of feeling exceptionally well. She had not heard the shot, nor had any of the people about the house. Blood was flowing from the wound in the head and the body was yet warm. She gave the alarm and Dr. Robert Goldthwaite was called to the house. In a short time the residence was filled with friends of the family and the news had spread sorrow about the city, where he was loved as few men have been loved in the com munity.
 Was Feeling We'll.
 When he arose this morning pr. Bragg said to his wife that he was feeling ex- ceptionally well. He made a fire in the sitting room and ordered his buggy to go to the capitol. Mrs. Bragg went into the kitchen to prepare him breakfast, both being cheerful and encouraged over the condition of the doctor, who had been ill for long time.
 Mrs. Bragg heard nothing of the doc tor, and when she had finished his meal called him. Getting no response. she went into the dining room in search of him. From there she continued looking to the bathroom, her own bedroom and then to room just off the last, where he was discovered dead, blood running over the bedding. The shock was awful, no report of the pistol being heard and no such tragedy being for the moment expected as the dead man had been feeling well and much more cheerful for several days. Friends Called In.
 Friends gathered at once to offer aid and to console the weeping widow. The body was tenderly laid out and arrange ments made to let his relatives know of the sad end. Mrs. Penrudducke, his daughter, in Birmingham, and her hus- band, were informed by wire, as were his brothers, John B. Bragg of Birming- ham and William B. Bragg of Fort De- posit, and his sisters, Mrs H. c. Parker and Mrs. B. B. Beers of Greenyille Dr. Bragg came home from Birmingham last Saturday, where he had been for three weeks with his daughter Before that time he had spent several weeks in Philadelphia in search of relief from a serious nervous trouble, going from there to Atlantic City and thence to Hot Springs, Va. He believed that he was very much better, and was looking forward to busy winter in his work as jail in- spector of the state. He spent a part of Monday in his office going over the books with Chief Clerk Adams, and was laying out his work for the rest of the year. No arrangements have yet been made for the funeral This will be delayed until it is known when his relatives can be here. It is also thought that possi- bly, Governor Conner will try to get back | for the funeral, he being at this time hunting in Arkansas.
 Had Useful Life.
 Few in Alabama have so impressed themselves upon its citizenship as Dr. Shirley Bragg. Since he came to Mont gomery in 1896 he has been a man of statewide prominence, even though he did not hold public office until March, 1901, when by appointment of Governor Sanford he became physician inspector of the state convict board. It was here that his talents as sanitary expert as well as a scientific practitioner, became available for the good of, the state About this time the convict department was emerging from the old time con- 1 tract plan to the direct service plan, and it fell to the lot of Dr. Bragg to work out the health problems. The fact that from high death rate he reduced the per cent of fatalities to less than per cent indicates that he was not only viz orous and active but intelligently so A hospital for the treatment of seriously i'll patients was set up at Wetumpka, where many poor prisoner was pulled from almost certain death to health and ac- tivity.
 Promoted By Jeiks.
 When, in October, 1905. Governor Jelks made Judge J. M. Carmichael state audi tor he advanced Dr. Bragg to the head of the convict department where, with the general knowledge of the work already acquired he became for the rest of the term one of the most effective men in the service of the state and humanity. He made it point to inveigh against dirty jails and said on one occasion that the state would be much more humane if 1t Stdheu pTlSoueTS out to the dangers or the elements than to put them in the average prisons.
 His work for cleaner jails was effective in the passage by the legislature of 1907 of a bill providing for a state jail and mill inspector, and hardly had he signed the bill before Governor Conner appointed Dr. Bragg to the place. He is the best man in Alabama for the place." said the governor shortly after signing the order of appointment. As he took up the work the doctor saw to 1t that the Jails were kept clean and sanitary and he even went so far as to tell the sheriff of Jeff ferson county that if more room and bet ter accommodations was not provided he would take the prisoners away.
 Born In Lowndes.
 pr. Bragg was born in Lowndes county. Alabama, November B. 1885, the son of John Bragg and Mary Frances Hall Bragg. His father was a brother of Gen. Bmaxton Bragg. Educated at Spring Hill and the Alabama Medical college, Dr. Shirley Bragg, after taking his medi- cal degree in 1875, went to the Atlanta Medical college as one of the professors. Tn 1876 he returned to Lowndes county, where he practiced until March, 1896. when he moved to Montgomery.
 After coming to Montgomery Dr. Bragg took leading part in the affairs of the city, became active in the Episcopal church and secret orders and was soon a man fully in accord with the progress of the times.
 In Lowndes county he had bean health