Chapter 3

The officers were not discouraged however. The proof was positive almost beyond a doubt that the shoes worn by the murdered girl had been sold to her by Louis & Hays in their store at Greencastle. This was the only tangible clew they had to work on and with it properly run down, they were perfectly satisfied, they would secure the identification of the beheaded woman, if not fix the guilt of the crime on some one in the immediate vicinity.

Another visit was made to Louis & Hays store at night, the books of the firm were carefully gone over again and again. Only seven of the nine pairs of the Drew, Selby & Co., shoes sold by Louis & Hays could be accounted for, and none of those were the ones worn by the murdered woman.

The Fort Thomas tragedy, and the coming of Sheriff Plummer, Detectives Crim and McDermott to Greencastle, in search of the identification of the shoes had aroused the people at that place, especially so, the suspicion of a Mr. A. W. Early, Manager of the Western Union, to whose noble work, the officers owe nearly all their success and information.

The description of the body of the dead girl, especially that part, which described her fingers as resembling those of a seamstress, and the little wart on the finger, aroused the suspicion of Mrs. Alexander S. Bryan, whose daughter Pearl, was, as the mother thought, visiting friends in Indianapolis, Ind. Nothing was mentioned of these suspicions outside the immediate family, but so strong were the suspicions with them, that Fred Bryan a brother of Pearl telegraphed to Indianapolis to Pearl's friends, asking if she was there. The answer came that Pearl had not been in Indianapolis, although she had left for that city, Jan., 28.

A. W. Early, the manager for the Western Union Telegraph Company at Greencastle, saw the telegram and answer from Indianapolis. It was then, he knew, that he possessed positive information, not only as to the identification of the headless body at the Morgue in Newport, but also to the fixing of the guilt on one or more persons, one of whom at least was Early's intimate friend. Realizing this and awe-stricken with the horribleness of the deed in which his friend was, to say the least, indirectly implicated, he rushed at once to the hotel and in an excited manner called the officers out to tell them his story. After a very hurried conference with Early the officers all left the hotel to go with Early to his office where he gave the first real clew to the victim and upon which information, three men Scott Jackson and Alonzo Walling, students at the Ohio Dental College, in Cincinnati, and William Wood, a medical student who was with his uncle in South Bend, Ind., were on that same night arrested, charged with the murder and complicity in the murder of Pearl Bryan, whose headless body lay at Undertaker White's Establishment in Newport, Ky.

Early's story was that he came to Greencastle Oct. 4., 1895. "Soon after my arrival at Greencastle I made the acquaintance of Will Wood, a student at Depauw University. This acquaintance soon ripened into a friendship which brought us together a great deal and made us confide to each other much more than is ordinary among young men.

"So fast did the friendship between Will Wood and myself become that he would show me his letters. Among those he showed, I remember one from Scott Jackson, a young man from Greencastle, who is in Cincinnati attending a dental college.

"In this letter Jackson confided to his chum, Will Wood, that he, Jackson and Pearl Bryan had been too intimate, that she had loved not wisely, but too well, and as a result he had betrayed her, that Pearl would soon become a mother, and asked Wood's help in this matter.

"He admitted his intimacy with Pearl, and his responsibility for her present condition. He quoted recipes calculated to prevent the evil results of their indiscretion, and asked Wood to get them and give them to Pearl.

"Wood did this, as he said he was willing to do anything he could for Jackson and especially for Pearl, who was Wood's second cousin.

"These drugs however did not have the desired effect of reversing the laws of nature.

"One letter, I remember was in answer to one which Wood had written to Jackson, informing him that Pearl Bryan was showing the effects of her indiscretion and intimacy with Jackson, and telling him that the recipes sent by him had been furnished by Wood.

"Jackson regretted that his recipes had failed but said something must be done and suggested that the girl be sent to Cincinnati, stating that he could arrange to have an abortion performed on her.

"Wood told me afterward that Pearl had gone to Cincinnati to have a criminal operation performed, and had told her parents she was going to Indianapolis to visit friends. She had money with her, sufficient to cover any expenses she might incur in such an undertaking."

He then told of Fred Bryan the brother of Pearl, telegraphing to Indianapolis inquiring about Pearl and receiving an answer that she had not been there.

It was midnight when the detectives heard of this and went to the house of Mr. Spivy, of Louis & Hays, and got him to go to the shoe store with them. On arriving there the books of the firm were again examined and the name of Pearl Bryan was found on them, and the fact that she had bought a pair of No. 3 shoes was found. In all their scrutiny of the books this fact had escaped the detectives and shoe dealers.

IDENTIFIED THE CLOTHING.

This settled the fact that Pearl Bryan had purchased the shoes, and at two o'clock Wednesday morning the officers visited the home of the Bryans, taking with them the clothes found on the murdered woman. Here an awful climax came. The mother of Pearl was shown the clothes and one by one she positively identified them between her sobs and cries of "My Pearl, my Pearl."

The dress was one which had been made over for Pearl out of one which had belonged to a dead sister. The bloody undershirt was at once recognized. The family sought to find something upon which to base a hope that it might not be their loved one, and argued that she might have given her clothes to some one else, but this has positively been disproven. The murdered woman was Pearl Bryan.

The blow to their hopes came when the officers told them that the murdered woman had webbed or deformed toes, and described them to her. Her sister exclaimed: "My God, it is Pearl! We used to tease her about those when she was little." The scar on the right hand was then told of and added a link to the identification.

Even the hairpins were positively identified as belonging to Pearl. There were two gold-plated and two rubber ones of an auburn hue. There remained no doubt as to whom the missing woman was, and there was but one thing to do--pursue her murderer.

The whole thing became plain to the officers. They at once determined to secure the arrest of both Jackson and Wood. They knew that Jackson was in Cincinnati so they decided to wire Chief of Police Deitsch and have Jackson arrested and to go in person to South Bend, Ind., for which place Wood had left on the Thursday previous, for the purpose of studying medicine with his uncle, and place Wood under arrest.

They at once sent the following telegram:

"GREENCASTLE, IND., FEBRUARY 5, 1896.

PHILIP DEITSCH, Superintendent of Police, Cincinnati, Ohio: Arrest and charge with murder of Pearl Bryan, one Scott Jackson, student at Dental College, about 24 years old, 5 feet 7 or 8 inches high, weighs about 136 pounds, blonde, nearly sandy mustache, light complexion, may have beard of about six months growth, effeminate in appearance. Positive identification of clothing by family. Arrest if in Cincinnati, William Wood, friend of Jackson. Charge as accomplice. About 20 years, 5 feet 11 inches, light blonde hair, smooth face, rather slender, weighs 165 pounds. We go from here to South Bend after Wood as he left here for that place.

CRIM MCDERMOTT AND PLUMMER."

Immediately on receipt of the telegram Colonel Deitsch detailed Detectives Witte, Bulmer and Jackson to look after Jackson. It was learned that he roomed at the house of Mrs. McNevin, at 222 West Ninth, next door to Robinson's Opera House. Detective Jackson was stationed in the house and Witte and Bulmer in the saloon opposite.

Just when it seemed as though their intended game had discovered the fact that the officers were after him and had left for parts unknown he was captured.

It was after nine o'clock, when almost the last ray of hope had died out of the officers breasts, that Chief of Police Deitsch received word that Jackson had just been seen at the Palace Hotel. The chief started out and ran into a man answering Jackson's description. He informed the detectives of the fact, the fellow was watched and was seen to walk slowly down Ninth Street, and on reaching 222 he looked up at the windows. He strolled slowly to Plum Street and stopped and again looked back at the house.

He then walked rapidly north on Plum Street toward Court. When he had traversed part of the square Detective Bulmer stepped up to him, saying: "Your name is Jackson, isn't it?"

The man turned perfectly livid and trembled like an aspen, and as the detective continued to say, "I want you," he exclaimed, "My God! what is this for?"

At the same time the start was made for the Mayor's Office.

At Ninth Street Colonel Deitsch met the prisoner and said: "Well, 'Dusty' (Jackson's nickname), we have got you."

"Yes," responded the prisoner, "it looks like it."

AT THE MAYOR'S OFFICE.

When the Mayor's office was reached the prisoner was hustled into the presence of Mayor Caldwell.

The scene in the private office of Mayor Caldwell in the City Hall was undoubtedly the most remarkable ever witnessed there.

The Mayor was sitting in his office with his Chief Clerk, Cliff Lakeman, when Jackson was ushered into his presence by the officers, at the head of whom was Chief of Police Deitsch. A few minutes later the room was thronged with representatives of the newspapers and detectives. Coroner Haerr was also there waiting for possible developments.

Jackson, the prisoner, sat in the center of a long sofa on the east side of the room. On the side of him was Chief Deitsch. The latter conducted the examination, while the Mayor sat in his chair, smoked a cigar and listened.

THE EXAMINATION.

"Is this Mayor Caldwell?" asked Jackson.

"It is," responded His Honor.

"The officers say you want to see me."

"Yes, I want to talk with you."

"What is your name?"

"Scott Jackson."

"You are also known as Dusty?"

"Yes, sometimes."

"Where is your home?"

"My home is in Greencastle, Ind."

"Do you know Pearl Bryan?"

"I do."

"Where did you last see her?"

"It was during the hollidays. I think on January 2."

"Have you seen her since?"

"I have not."

"Do you know William Wood?"

"I do."

"What is his business?"

"I don't know. He used to be connected with the school at Greencastle. Saw him last about January 6."

Chief Deitsch here read the dispatch under which the arrest was made.

"What have you to say to that?"

"The charge is entirely false. I don't know anything about that."

"That's what everybody says who is arrested," said Chief Deitsch, "but the identification of the clothes and other facts point to you as the man who took Pearl Bryan or her body to Ft. Thomas. Where were you last Friday evening?"

"I must have been in my room."

"What time did you go to your room?"

"I think I had supper about 7 o'clock and went home about 7:30."

"What did you do?"

"I studied in my room."

"Was your roommate there?"

"I think he was."

"Where were you Thursday night?"

"I was home, I think. My roommate was out that evening. When he came in I had retired."

"How about Saturday evening?"

"I went out with a friend and went to the theater."

"Who took supper with you Friday evening?"

"I think I was alone."

"Where did you eat?"

"At Heider's."

"Ever stay there over night?"

"I did not."

"Did your roommate?"

"Yes, I think he did last Wednesday night."

"You have not been home to-day?"

"Yes, I left there about 10 o'clock this morning."

"Where did you go?"

"I went to see a young lady, and took her to dinner, I was with her all afternoon."

"Where were you?"

"At the Emery Hotel."

"Where did you go in the evening?"

"The young lady went to her place of business, and later I put her on the car. Then I went to Heiders for supper."

"Where then?"

"Oh, I was just walking around the streets."

"Who was with you?"

"I stopped in a barber shop about 9 o'clock and walked a piece with one of the barbers."

"Did you meet any one else you knew?"

"I did not."

"Where were you going when you were arrested?"

"I was going to the college to see if the boys were dissecting."

"Why did you pass the house and look up at it?"

"Well, I don't know. I am turned around now."

"What have you to say to the telegram?"

"I don't know what to say. I can't imagine why they mention me in it."

"Did you read of the murder?"

"Part of it. It made me sick to my stomach."

"Were you in Newport lately?"

"No sir; I was not."

"Didn't you take an interest in the murder when you read of Greencastle being the probable home of the murdered girl?"

"I spoke to several people in the house about it."

"You left the lady this evening and went to supper, and then walked around town?"

"I did."

"Did you meet any one else you knew?"

"I met Walling, I think, after supper."

"Where did you see him?"

"Now, I think of it. It was in the barber shop, where I was waiting."

"See any one else?"

"No, sir."

"How long have you been at the dental college?"

"Since October 14., last."

"Did you come from Greencastle?"

"I did."

"Where else have you roomed?"

"On Carlisle avenue."

"When was Miss Bryan up to Cincinnati?"

"Don't know. Didn't know she was here."

"Where did you last see her?"

"On January 2., at her home while I was at Greencastle spending the holidays."

"Were you friends?"

"Only friendly."

"Does she live at home?"

"She does."

"What do her parents do?"

"Her father is a farmer and keeps a dairy."

"What kind of a looking girl is Pearl?"

"Rather slender. I am a poor judge of height. She was not as tall as I am--almost, though. She was light complexioned."

"What will she weigh?"

"Suppose about 105 or 110 pounds."

"Did she ever live out?"

"I don't know, but I don't think so."

"You were in the habit of paying your respects to her?"

"I called on her a few times."

"Did you ever go out with her?"

"Once, I guess."

"She was not a farmhand?"

"No, she worked around the house."

"Was she of a quiet disposition?"

"As far as I know she was."

"Do you know of any other men she kept company with?"

"Yes, but she never kept company with me."

"Who then?"

"Well, she gave a party some time ago. I saw a number of gentlemen there."

"Well, Jackson, this is a serious charge. I will have to hold on to you."

"I don't see why they accuse me of this."

"What is your roommate's name?"

"Alonzo Walling."

"Did you ever correspond with Pearl Bryan?"

"Once or twice."

"Ever since January 22?"

"I think not."

"Have you talked about the murder?"

"Yes; at the house. I don't know how the subject was brought up. I was very much interested in the case."

"Did you read of the girl probably being from Greencastle?"

"Yes."

Colonel Deitsch at this point reviewed the evidence against the prisoner and the Greencastle part of it, and said: "And you didn't inquire about it?"

"I read that the Sheriff of Newport was in Greencastle, and that the shoes found on the dead woman had been purchased from Louis & Hayes--that they had accounted for nearly all the shoes they sold."

"Didn't you think the girl would be heard from?"

"There were so many theories that I didn't know what to think."

"Do you remember leaving a valise in Legner's saloon last Saturday night?"

"I do."

"Didn't you take it away Monday morning and leave another?"

"No, sir."

"Why did you leave the valise at the saloon?"

"I was just going as far as the corner and I didn't want to carry it."

"Did you take it away the same day?"

"Yes, I think I did."

"What was in it?"

"Nothing."

"How far was it from your room?"

"Just across the street."

"You say there was nothing in the valise?"

"I don't think there was."

"Where did you get it?"

"I bought it in Indianapolis."

"How did you happen to take it out Saturday night?"

"I don't recollect just now."

"Where is it now?"

"I loaned it to a student of the name of Hackelman."

"What did he want with it?"

"I didn't ask him. I took it to him to the college."

"What kind of valise was it?"

"Tan colored."

"Strap or handbag?"

"Handbag."

"Has it been returned?"

"No, sir."

"What is Hackelman's first name?"

"I don't know."

"Have you seen him since?"

"I have not."

"Where does he live?"

"I don't know."

"How did you come to take that valise to the saloon?"

"I just left it there."

"Did you have it with you in the evening?"

"Yes, but I don't see why I took it down town."

"Was it heavy?"

"No, only bothersome."

"You had two valises, didn't you?"

"No, only one."

"Didn't you leave one over at Legner's saloon Saturday, and a different one Monday?"

"No, I did not."

"Why don't you tell the truth about this?"

"I did tell the truth, all but about the valise. I got that back."

The prisoner persisted in his story that he knows nothing about the murder, and after a little further examination he was taken down stairs and locked up on the charge of murder.

LOCKED UP AT THE STATION.

Jackson was taken from the Mayor's office through the long corridor on the Eighth-Street side of the City Hall by Detective Bill Bulmer, who walked on the right side of him and held his arm. Employes of the waterworks, janitors and other attaches of the big building followed in the wake of the couple until Central Police Station was reached. At the station house the receiving room was thronged with curious ones who had heard of the arrest of the dental student. Lieutenant Sam Corbin and Sergeant Billy Borck were behind the desk. Bulmer took his prisoner up to the desk, and immediately a big crowd swarmed in to see how Jackson would act while being registered. Lieutenant Corbin registered the prisoner. The questions and answers were as follows:

"What is your name?"

"Scott Jackson."

"Where do you live?"

"I live here now."

"Whereabouts?"

"No. 222 West Ninth Street."

"Old or new number?"

"I don't know; it's next door to Robinson's Opera House."

"What is your occupation?"

"Dental student."

"How old are you?"

"Twenty-six."

"Married or single?"

"Single."

"Where were you born?"

"In Maine."

"What's the charge against this man?"

"Murder," replied Bulmer.

"Is that right?" asked Corbin, looking the prisoner in the eye.

"I believe that's what they say," replied Jackson.

Illustration: Between sobs and cries of "My Pearl, my Pearl," Mrs. Bryan identified the clothing.

Among other things found in Jackson's pockets were two carriage tickets on the Central Newport Bridge. The tickets may prove to be of a great importance in the case, as it shows that the prisoner was in the habit of crossing the bridge.

After Jackson had been searched he was led back to his cellroom by Detective Bulmer and Officer Jake Bernhart.

Jackson had been locked in his cell but a few moments when Detectives Bulmer and Witte walked into the station and suggested to Lieutenant Corbin that the prisoner be taken into the room behind the receiving desk and thoroughly searched. The suggestion was acted upon at once, and what may prove to be most startling evidence was discovered.

The clothing of the prisoner was all removed and two scratches were found on his right arm. One scratch begins just below the elbow and extends almost to the wrist. It is almost three inches long. The other scratch is much shorter and is on the wrist.

Spots of blood were also noticed on the right sleeve of the prisoner's undershirt. From the appearance of the sleeve attempts had been made to remove the blood from the shirt.

"Where did that blood come from?" asked Lieutenant Corbin.

"I was bothered with bugs the other night and I scratched myself," answered the prisoner.

Jackson then said he had been troubled with some sort of a skin eruption for some time past, and he pointed to some abrasions on his breast to confirm his story.

Nothing was discovered in neither garments of the man that would show that he had attempted to conceal any papers or other evidence after his arrest.

WALLING ARRESTED

Alonzo Walling, Jackson's roommate, was arrested, at 3:30 Thursday morning, by Lieutenant Corbin, and locked up at Central Station. It was thought when Jackson was arrested that night that Walling had no connection with the matter, but later developments went to show that he knew far more than either had admitted.

It was ascertained that the two men had been very intimate, and that they were together on the night of the murder. It was also discovered that Walling had been intimate with a girl in Louisville with whom Jackson was on more than friendly terms, and that both men had corresponded with her.

The cause for Wallings arrest was a chance remark made by Jackson about two o'clock in the morning. Shortly after being locked up Jackson called Turnkey Curren to him and said:

"I want you to get a chair and sit in front of my cell all night," said Jackson, who then exhibited the first sign of appreciating his position.

"Are you afraid of getting lynched?" asked the turnkey.

"Well, never mind that, I prefer to be well guarded whether I'm in danger or not."

After ordering his cell watched, Jackson lay down on the bunk in his cell and tried to go to sleep, but he was exceedingly restless and rolled around on his couch for a long time without getting any rest.

About two o'clock Jackson entered into a conversation with the turnkey in which almost his first question was:

"Hasn't Walling been arrested yet?"

"Why should he be arrested?" was asked.

Jackson refused to answer this question, and his actions showed that he did not care to talk further about his roommate. When Lieutenant Corbin heard of Jackson's actions he at once went to 222 West Ninth Street and arrested Walling, when he was subjected to a rigid examination by the officer.

"Were you in Wallingford's saloon with Jackson and a girl last Friday night?" was asked.

"Yes, I was," replied Walling.

"Who was the girl whom you were with?" was asked.

"I don't know who she was," he replied.

"Well you had better tell all you know about this matter," said the officer. "Now tell me who all were in the party at Wallingford's last Friday night."

"I don't know anything more about it," said Walling.

"Well, you may consider yourself under arrest, then," said Lieutenant Corbin.

Walling was taken to police headquarters and locked up, but Jackson was not informed of his arrest until the next day.

At 6.30 the same morning a telegram was received from the Cincinnati Detectives who had gone to South-Bend, Ind., bringing the startling information that Will Wood was arrested there, and confessed to the responsibility for the death of Pearl Bryan, whose headless body was found in the Kentucky Highlands. He said that he had arranged for Pearl Bryan to come to Cincinnati for the purpose of having a criminal operation performed, and that such an operation was performed, resulting in the death of the girl. Scott Jackson and Alonzo Walling were both concerned in it. The body of the woman was taken to the spot where it was found and the head removed to prevent identification.

Investigations were still being made at Greencastle Ind., and the wires between Cincinnati and that staid old Methodist town, were kept hot.

Excitement was at a fever heat at both points.

Evidence was accumulating at each end and it seemed the nooses were rapidly tightening around the necks of Jackson, Walling and Wood.