Chapter 5

"About four months ago he introduced me to Jackson. Jackson came to the shop where I was employed and got shaved about twice a week.

"He was always considered a peculiar fellow--rather eccentric. I know little concerning him.

"I do not know whether it was Friday or Saturday morning that Jackson came into my shop and had me shave his whiskers off. On that day he had a grip when he entered, and I asked him what he had in it. He replied that he would tell me some other day."

Johnson then repeated his statement regarding Albin's connection with the crime, after which Chief Deitsch said:

"What have you got to say about the statement made by Johnson which implicates you with the murder?"

"There is no truth in that. I think I wore a cap on Friday night, but I was not in Wallingford's saloon, as Johnson says. I went home with Walling about fifteen minutes after 9. Jackson came into the barber shop several times with the grip. I naturally had some curiosity to know what it contained but he never would tell me anything definite.

"One day this week I picked up a paper while Jackson was in the shop and read an item about the shoes bought at Greencastle. I knew that Greencastle was the home of Jackson, and I asked him if he had heard about the shoes coming from his town. He said that he had, but that he did not believe it. I suggested that he and I go over and look at the body, but Jackson said that he did not want to see it, as he felt sure that he could not identify it. During this conversation I noticed that Jackson acted somewhat peculiar, but I never dreamed what caused it at the time."

Col. Deitsch and Mayor Caldwell had a long talk with Albin. He persisted in the statement that he knew nothing of the murder.

Clew after clew was run down. Everything reported to the police regarding the murder, no matter of how little importance was thoroughly investigated and the officers were kept continually on the run.

Satisfied that Jackson and Walling were the murderers, and that the identification of the victim was complete the whole energy of the entire detective and police force was turned to the finding of the head, and the identity of the man who drove the cab and the securing of positive evidence on which the murderers could be convicted.

JACKSON'S LETTER TO WOOD.

In response to Mayor Caldwell's notice to the postmaster at South Bend, Ind., the Mayor on Saturday, Feb. 8., received from that city a letter written by Scott Jackson to William Wood, South Bend, Ind.

As soon as he received it the Mayor sent for D. D. Woodmansee the attorney for Jackson, and with his consent opened the communication. It was dated Feb. 5., the day on which Jackson was arrested. It was marked 8:30 p. m., less than two hours before his arrest. It was written on letter-heads of the Palace Hotel, while the envelope bore the style of Al Heider's Hotel, on Fifth Street. The letter says:

"2-5-96.

"Hello, Bill--

"Write a letter home signed by Berts name telling the folks that he is somewhere & going to Chicago or some other place--has a position etc--and that they will advise later about it--Say tired of living at home or anything you want. You know about the way he writes. Send it to some one you can trust--How will Smith at La Fayette--tell the folks that he has not been at I but at La Fayette and travelling about the country get the letter off without one seconds delay--and burn this at once. Stick by your old chum Bill--And I will help you out the same way--some times. Am glad you are having a good time-- D.

"Be careful what you write to me."

"Bert" in the letter means Pearl. In that portion of the communication which explains that "he has not been at "I." "I" evidently stands for Indianapolis.

After the letter from Jackson to Wood was opened and read, a reporter went to Jackson and asked him if he wrote the letter.

"Yes, sir, I did."

"What does that signature, the letter D., mean?"

"Why, he called me 'Dusty,' and I signed it for that."

"Who is meant by Bert?"

"That is a nickname we had for Pearl. We always called her Bert."

"Then Bert means Miss Bryan?"

"Yes, sir."

"Now, why did you write that letter?"

"Walling told me to write it. He said that something had to be done, and I did it."

"Did he dictate it?"

"Oh, no, I wrote it Wednesday evening after supper."

"Why did you tell Wood to be careful what he wrote?"

"Because he was writing vulgar letters. He wrote me two postals to the college that were awful."

"What did you do with them?"

"I tore them right away. Besides all this, I din't know at what time I might be arrested."

Walling was then visited and told of the story of Jackson.

"No, I didn't tell him to write it.

"I met him on the street Wednesday afternoon, and he told me that he was going to write."

JACKSON'S COAT FOUND IN A SEWER.

As a result of one of the lengthy cross-examinations to which Walling was subjected in which he said that the coat worn by Jackson when he committed the deed had been deposited by himself at Jackson's request in the sewer hole at the corner of Richmond and John Streets.

Detective Witte was at once sent to the scene, and, found a bundle wrapped in a newspaper in the mud. It was drawn out and found to be a black coat. On the lining of the sleeves were found blood stains, and in one of the pockets a lot of tansy flower, which, made into tea, is used to produce miscarriages. After a thorough cleaning, it was placed in a box and removed to headquarters, where an examination was made. Blood spots were found on the sleeves and front. The coat was of a blue black material, similar to the clothing worn by Jackson at the time of his arrest.

Walling was told of the finding of the coat. He displayed no surprise, but remarked:

"Well, I knew they would find it. I told them not long ago where it was; that I had put it there myself."

"Whose coat is it?"

"Jackson's."

"Why did you put it there?"

"Because he asked me to."

"Did you know for what purpose?"

"Yes; to get rid of it. It was bloody."

"And you knew this?"

"Yes, he told me so."

"Then you know more about the crime than you have admitted?"

"No, I don't. I have told everything I know."

In a locker at the Ohio Dental College--Jackson's individual locker--were found by the police a pair of trousers. Upon the knees were dried mud and blood, and upon the legs were other blood stains. Jackson and Walling each claim the trousers belong to the other.

JACKSON'S AND WALLING'S PICTURES TAKEN FOR THE ROGUES GALLERY.

Mayor Caldwell and Col. Deitsch Friday morning had a private consultation at which it was decided to hold all examinations of the prisoners in the Bertillion room, behind the iron bars of the Place of Detention. No one but Col. Deitsch and the Mayor were allowed to be present.

It was about 9 o'clock when both Jackson and Walling were brought into the Bertillon room and turned over to Superintendent Kiffmeyer. Both were photographed and had their measure taken according to the rules governing the Bertillon system.

The questioning of the prisoners while in the Bertillon room, related to the disposition made of Pearl Bryan's clothes.

It was found that Pearl Bryan's clothes had been conveniently wrapped into five bundles and brought to Jackson and Walling's room at 222 West Ninth Street. Jackson took two of the bundles and threw them into the sewer on Sycamore street. Walling put the other three under his arm and went down Plum Street with the purpose of throwing into the river the evidences of the bloody and brutal crime in the muddy depths of the Ohio. Jackson says Walling afterwards told him he had disposed of them.

ANOTHER CONFESSION.

When Turnkey Henry Underwood was passing Jackson's cell yesterday morning Jackson said:

"Well, I'm going to see the Mayor and tell him about the clothing."

"What did you do with the clothing?"

"Well, there were three bundles. I threw them in a sewer on Richmond Street."

"Where on Richmond Street?"

"I don't know exactly, but west of Central avenue."

"Was the head in the lot?"

"I don't know where the head is now."

"Why don't you tell where the head is and it will save you a good deal of trouble."

"Well, Walling told me that he threw it overboard."

"What do you mean by throwing it overboard?"

"Why, in the river, and that is the truth."

As soon as the Chief could be seen Turnkey Underwood reported to him the talks he had with the prisoners. Walling was taken before Mayor Caldwell and Chief Deitsch, Detectives Crim and McDermott. Walling was asked what he had to say.

"Well, I'll tell you how Jackson killed Pearl Bryan.

"For several days before the murder Jackson would sit about our room and read a medical dictionary to try and learn all about the effect of poisons. He finally selected cocaine as the most suitable for his purpose. At last he took four grains of cocaine and put in sixteen drops of water. He told me that he was going to give the cocaine solution to Pearl and make her drink it, and that it would kill the vocal powers. She would be unable to scream or talk and then he was going to cut her head off."

"Do you think he did that?"

"Yes, I am almost sure that was the way he killed her."

"I don't know how he gave her the poison, but think she took it before getting into the cab, so that it would have its full effect by the time she was driven over to Ft. Thomas."

"Well, what became of the head? You know where it is."

"I do not. If I did I would tell."

Jackson was then sent for. He appeared to be worried, and when Mayor Caldwell asked him if he had bought any cocaine he said:

"Yes, I bought some cocaine."

"When?"

"Last Wednesday night."

"What did you do with it?"

"I gave it to Walling."

"Now Jackson I want you to tell me where the head is. You know where it is, and for the sake of the poor old mother I think you ought to tell."

"Well, I can't tell you where the head is. I don't know."

Walling and Jackson were then brought together again. They eyed each other and then the questions were put to them, but like in every other interview they denied the charges made by each other. Walling finally said:

"Why don't you tell where the head is, Jackson? You know they will find it sooner or later."

"I don't know where it is."

"Why don't you tell? You know where it is."

"I do not."

TWO POST-MORTEMS.

There were two post-mortems held by Coroner Tingley, of Newport over the remains of the headless body of Pearl Bryan. The first held on the Monday following the finding of the body and the second, which was ordered for the purpose of deciding whether the murder was committed where the body was found or the head cut off after death had been caused by the administering of anaesthetics. Dr. Charles S. Phythian of Newport, conducted both post-mortems assisted by Drs. Robert Carothers, J. L. Phythian, J. O. Jenkins, W. S. Tingley, C. B. Schoolfield and J. H. Fishbach. The unanimity of opinion was that life was not extinct when the wounds from which the blood found egress were inflicted.

Dr. Charles Phythian said:

"The post-mortem shows beyond a doubt that Pearl Bryan died by the knife and was conscious when she was killed."

"Had she been dead when she was taken to the Highlands the blood in her body would have been somewhat coagulated no matter how soon after dissolution she was taken there, and while there would have been a great flow of it if she had been placed there within a short time after death there must have been a slight coagulation which would have caused at least a small quantity of blood to remain in the body."

"The cut on the left hand shows that she fought with her murderer. The cut goes clear to the bone and proves that she did not receive it by making the weak attempt at defense that a person in a semi-comatose condition would have made."

As was brought out at the first post-mortem there was absolutely not a drop of blood in the body of the woman; all of it had flowed from her.

Not a drop of blood was found in the veins nor was any found in the arteries or heart. Every organ of the body was found in perfect and healthy condition. The blood vessels were entirely devoid of any blood, and all the surgeons gave as their opinion that the girl had bled to death, for had life been extinct before bleeding began the blood vessels would not have been emptied.

A microscopic observation was made of the body in hope of discovering a puncture that might be construed as the place where the needle of the hypodermic-syringe had been inserted, but no such puncture had been discovered, though subjected to the most careful examination with the strongest glasses.

Fred Bryan a brother of the murdered woman and Mrs. Stanley, a sister, together with a number of friends from Greencastle, Ind., arrived in Cincinnati Friday, for the purpose of fully identifying the remains, and having them removed from the Newport morgue to Greencastle for interment. The identification was complete, and permission having been obtained from the authorities, the headless body was prepared for interment and removed to the undertaking establishment of John P. Epply, in Cincinnati.

The body was clothed in a cream white silk dress, the same that the girl had worn when she graduated from the high school in 1892 at Greencastle. The feet were incased in dainty satin slippers.

The casket was one of the most beautiful of its kind made. It was white cloth-covered, and trimmed with cord and tassel. The handles were of burnished silver. In the center of the casket lid, on a silver plate, was the name "Pearl."

Inside the casket was full-satin-lined, and handsomely trimmed. The absence of the head was made scarcely noticeable the placing of a square satin pillow in the head on the casket down to the shoulders of the corpse.

THE HEADLESS BODY DISPLAYED TO THE MURDERERS.

The authorities resolved on a plan which they hoped might make the prisoners weaken. It was to have them look upon their murdered victim and have the crime recalled in all its hideousness.

Mayor Caldwell Chief Deitsch and Sheriff Plummer went to Epply's morgue, where the remains lay.

In a short time Detectives Crim and McDermott arrived with the prisoners. Crim had Walling in charge and McDermott Jackson. The latter was placed at the head of the coffin and Walling near the foot. Both faced the brother and sister of the murdered girl, who were on the other side of the casket.

Jackson was terribly excited and nervously clasped and unclasped his hands. His eyes roved from one end of the body to the other and he shook his head and sighed deeply. His face was terribly flushed, and he looked as though he might break down every second. On the other hand Walling was to all appearance the coolest man in the room. He gazed at the corpse without a shiver and looked around on the faces of those present. His only noticeable display of agitation was to tap his foot nervously on the floor.

Not a word was said until Chief Deitsch, at the other end asked:

"Walling do you recognize the corpse?"

"I do not."

"Do you know who it is?"

"I believe it is Pearl Bryan."

"What reason have you for this belief?"

"What Jackson has told me."

"Jackson, do you recognize the corpse?"

"I do not."

"Do you know that it is the body of Pearl Bryan?"

"I have not taken a close and careful look at the body."

"Would you recognize it if you did?"

"I think I would."

"Walling did you kill this woman?"

"I did not."

"Jackson did you kill this woman?"

"I did not."

"And do you deny, in the presence of the corpse, that you killed her?"

"I do."

"Who did kill her?"

"I have every reason to believe that Walling did."

Determined to make one more effort to secure a confession as to where the head was, Chief Deitsch arranged for Mrs. Stanley to ask the prisoners. Almost begging on bended knees, and sobbing heavily she cried: "Mr. Jackson, I come to you and ask where is my sister's head. For the sake of my poor mother and for my sister and for my brother I beg of you to tell me where my sister's head is. It is my last chance and I want to send it home with the body. Won't you please tell me, I beg of you?"

Jackson looked at her, and, without turning a hair, said:

"Mrs. Stanley, I do not know."

The same question was asked Walling to which he coldly and without any semblance of feeling, replied:

"I do not know where it is."

The same evening Pearl Bryan's headless body was taken back to her home in Greencastle accompanied by her brother, sister and friends.

CORONER'S INQUEST.

Coroner W. S. Tingley, of Campbell County, began the formal inquest in the famous case, on Tuesday Feb. 11. E. G. Lohmeyer, a jeweler; A. J. Mosset, a steamboat agent; W. C. Botts, a coal dealer; John Link, ex-Chief of the Fire Department; Michael Donelan, a shoe-manufacturer, and F. A. Autenheimer, a retired steamboat Captain, were selected as jurors. The first witness called was Sheriff Plummer.

"Please state if on February 1 you saw the headless body of a woman on the premises of John Lock, in the Highlands?"

"I did."

"What evidence have you to submit in identifying the body?"

"The body was Pearl Bryan, of Greencastle, Ind. I received information that the body was that of a woman at Greencastle, and went there for that purpose. The clothing found on the headless body and the shoes were identified by Mrs. J. F. Stanley as belonging to her sister, Miss Pearl Bryan. Frederick Bryan corroborated Mrs. Stanley's identification, and afterward identified the headless body as the corpse of their sister, Pearl Bryan."

"Have you discovered by what means she came to her death?"

"The evidence we have leads us to believe that she died of having her throat cut."

Dr. Heyl, Assistant Surgeon of the Sixth Regiment, U. S., stationed at Ft. Thomas testified the manner in which the head was severed plainly showed that an accustomed hand had performed the work, and it was obvious to a professional eye that the work had commenced from the back of the neck.

Detective Cal Crim of Cincinnati gave his testimony as follows:

"I was notified by the Chief of Detectives Hazen, to report to Newport and assist in clearing the mystery of the crime. With Detectives McDermott and Sheriff Plummer I went to where the body was found, and came to the conclusion that she was murdered there. There was so much blood on the ground that it led me to this belief, and I also found blood high up on the surrounding bushes, which I believed to have been caused by the blood spurting from the neck. I found blood on all the under side of the leaves, showing that the course of the blood was upward, as though the body was on the ground when the throat was cut. The ground was literally saturated with blood. The earth was upturned and blood was found to a depth of eight or nine inches."

"State from your examination to your best knowledge and belief who committed the crime?"

There was a deathlike stillness in the room as the detective answered: "Scott Jackson and Alonzo Walling."

"What have you found to lead you to that belief?"

"The dead girl, Miss Pearl Bryan, left her home at Greencastle to visit a family named Bishop at 95 Center Street, Indianapolis. Her relatives identified her clothing. We discovered that Scott Jackson had been intimate with the girl. He left Greencastle October 14., and pregnancy having become apparent she, at the solicitation of a cousin, named Will Wood, went to Cincinnati to submit to a criminal operation. Jackson was to have the operation performed and Walling was to assist in the performance. The last we know of Pearl Bryan in life was in the company of Jackson and Walling Friday night preceding the finding of her corpse between 6 and 7 o'clock, when the three were seen to enter a hack at Wallingford's saloon, at George and Plum Streets. We have discovered that Jackson had hired Walling to perform the operation on Miss Bryan. Jackson's coat was found on evidence furnished by Walling in a sewer where it had been hidden. A pair of Jackson's trousers, covered with blood and with mud on the knees, were found in Walling's locker."

"Has Jackson or Walling made any statements in your presence concerning the crime?"

"Yes, sir. Each accuses the other."

"Can you account for Jackson and Walling the night preceding the finding of the body?"

"Only up to the time they entered the cab at Wallingford's saloon. Then all traces are lost. Neither Jackson nor Walling was seen or can give any satisfactory account of their whereabouts from 7 p. m. of Friday to 3 a. m. Saturday."

"Have you any other evidence?"

"We found two valises, one having blood stains on the inside, in which we believe the missing head was carried from the scene of the murder."

Detective Crim was excused and Detective McDermott was called. He corroborated Crim's statements. Sheriff Plummer was recalled and gave testimony corroborative of the two detective's statements. Dr. Robert Carothers submitted a report of the result of the post-mortem which was held by order of Coroner Tingley.

Dr. W. H. Crane, the chemist who made an analysis of the stomach of the murdered woman, regretted having no written report of the analysis, as it had not then been completed, but testified to having found cocaine in the stomach.

A number of other witnesses testified as to the finding of the body, the discovering of the foot-prints, blood, etc.

The examinations were completed, and after the court-room had been cleared the jury entered into a discussion of the examination.

The evidence as taken by the court-stenographer was carefully gone over and debated. Every little technicality was examined and passed on unanimously, and after an hour's session the jury returned the following verdict:

THE VERDICT.

"We, the jury, of Campbell County, Kentucky, find that the headless body of the woman found on the premises of John B. Lock, near Ft. Thomas, on the morning of February the 1st., was that of Pearl Bryan, a resident of Greencastle, Ind.

"We further find that cocaine had been administered to Pearl Bryan for some reasons unknown.

"We further find that the decapitation took place while Pearl Bryan was still alive.

"We further find that Pearl Bryan was last seen in company with Scott Jackson and Alonzo Walling. The three got into a cab on the Plum-street side of a saloon, corner of George and Plum Streets, and were last seen in the cab turning toward Plum Street.

Illustration: CHIEF DEITSCH. SCOTT JACKSON. ALONZO WALLING. Mrs. Stanley sobbing heavily cried: "Mr. Jackson, I come to you and ask where is my sister's head?"

"We further find in the end of justice that this verdict, and the report of the post-mortem, the chemical analysis of the stomach and the report of the Court-stenographer be filed with the verdict."

On the Wednesday following, the grand jury of Campbell County Kentucky, in session in Newport, returned an indictment against both Jackson and Walling, charging them with the murder of Pearl Bryan and alleging that the crime was committed near Ft. Thomas, Ky. Sheriff Plummer, at once went to Frankfort, Ky., and secured a requisition for the men from Governor Bradley. He then took the papers to Columbus, O., where Governor Bushnell, after a close scrutiny honored them and the Sheriff returned to Cincinnati to serve them on the Sheriff of Hamilton County, Ohio, in whose custody the prisoners were.

The prisoners were arraigned in the Police Court of Cincinnati a number of times charged with murder, and their cases continued, to give the Kentucky authorities an opportunity to take action.

After the indictment of Jackson and Walling in Kentucky, the charge was changed to "Fugitives from Justice" and on this were they held until the requisition papers were procured and served.