The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-10-30
Fired Bullet Through
 His Brain. DRIVEN DESP0NDENT BY
 CONTINUED ILL HEALTH Was Apparently Cheerful Few Minutes Before Death. Distinguished Montgomery Man Was Champion of Prison Sanitation
 Reform and Was Fearless <i in a Long Crusade.

Dependency, engendered in a mor- bid intellect through the bangs of in- curable disease, brought 10 Dr. Shir- ley Bragg. State Prison and Cotton Mill Inspector, the impulse to end his life with pistol bullet through his brain at about 8 o'clock Thursday morning, in his home, S14 South Perry street.
 The death of Dr. Bragg, coming as it does with an awful suddenness and lack of warning, is a great shock to his family and associates, and to the people of the State, who had come to recognize him as one of the most con scientious and capable of public off, cials
 The act of pr. Bragg was commit ted, from all indications. in a spon- taneous fit of gloom. Without word of warning or preparation. ana just from a conversation with Mrs. Bragg. in which was outlined his plans for the day, he walked into his room, lay himself in bed. fully clothed, pulled about his head the bedclothes. with which to muffIe the report of his re- volver. and fred one shot
 The muzzle of the revolver. :s- calibre weapon. being pressed frnily against his head. behind the right ear. made no sound. or at least the muf- fled report was not distinguished hy Mrs. Bragg. the only person in the house besides the breeding man.
 pr. Bragg had been Tor months in a condition of physical breakdown. from extreme nervousness and organic dis- ease, and under the treatment of a physician throughout the time. He had spent several months in ths East with the hopes of efSecting a cure Lately the trouble had teen ouginent- ed, but Thursday morning Dr. Bragg has arisen, speaking lightly of his in- nrmities, and declaring himsclf as greatly improved.
 Was Going to once.
 Announcing that he would visit his ofice at the Capitol early. he ordered his buggy, and asked for breakfast immediately. Mrs Bragg leaving him to prepare the meal. called her hus- band as 1t was ready. Failing 70 re- ceive response. she went into his bed room. to behold his body. outlined 1 under the trappings of the bed, lying | still Startled, she pulled down the l cover, to find him dead. Death had been instantaneous, the bullet pene- trating the brain.
 The face, well known and beloved l by the unfortunates of Alabama pris- ons. to whom he has proved Veritable l guardian angel. was not dishgured, the | bullet lodging in the skull and leaV- ing but the hole behind the ear to in- dicate it's passage. The weapon rom which the shot was fred' lay In the bed.
 Mrs. Bragg, calling aid immediately. 1 was soon surrounded by friends but | the unfortunate physician was beyond earthly aid.
 pr. Shirley Bragg occupied since 1907, the position of State Inspector or | Jails, Almshouses and Cotton NILS. In | which capacity he has rendered em cient service, and has effected radical change in the treatment of prison and poor house unfortunates, and has brought about Improvements in their health condition. He was fearless Tn his denunciation of existing conditions without exception, where they were proven inefficient and unsanitary.
 To Dr. Bragg belongs the great credit for reform in the jail conditions in the State. He began the agitation and courageously conducted 1t until the reform was a law. He was chosen h. spector to carry into full effect these reforms.
 Was Physician Inspector.
 Until 1907, and subsequent to 1901 he has served in the capacity of physi- elan inspector of the Convict Board of the State, in 1905 being elected 1 president of the board. Before 1901 1 he was never the incumbent of public l office, having been a practitioner of medicine in Montgomery since 1ss6 1 and in Lowndes county before that | time.
 pr. Shirley Bragg was born near Lowndesboro on November 3, 1853. and | had he lived until next Tuesday. would | have reached his fiftyfifth birthday. | He was a nephew of General Braxton l Bragg, of Civil War fame, and the son | of John Bragg. long prominent In Ala l bama public life.
 Shirley Bragg was educated at Spring Hill College. Mobile, at St. Louis | University, and at the Alabama and | Atlanta Medical College.
 pr. Bragg is survived by his wife, | formerly Miss Isabelle Murray, of Iowndes county, two sisters, Mrs. D. B Beers and Mrs. H. c. Parker, of Greenville. two brothers, W B Bragg. l of Fort Deposit. and John Bragg. of Birmingham. and one daughter. Mrs. Penrudducke of Birmingham. Tele- grams announcing the death of Dr. Bragg were sent to all these relatives.