The Murder of Pearl Bryan

Oct 30, 2023

Discover the sordid details of the brutal murder of Pearl Bryan in the late 1800s. The podcast covers the investigation, suspects, and legal proceedings, including the trials and hangings of Scott Jackson and Alonzo Walling. Learn about the scandalous circumstances surrounding Pearl's life and the shocking confession of Mae Hollingsworth. The podcast also examines the captivating lead of the victim's shoes and the strange scenario involving a saloon and intercepted letter.

Ask episode

Chapters

Transcript

Episode notes

Introduction

00:00 • 2min

Discovery of a Decapitated Body

02:27 • 9min

The Investigation and Tracing of the Victim's Shoes

11:14 • 5min

The Life and Admirers of Pearl Bryan

16:36 • 14min

The Suspects and the Strange Scenario

30:13 • 7min

Aftermath and Legal Proceedings

37:42 • 6min

Trials, Verdicts, and Executions: The Murder of Pearl Bryan

43:25 • 7min

The story of what happened to Pearl Bryan is horrifying and frightening. The scandalous particulars of the events that led to her murder captivated the attention of the U.S. in the late 1800s, but Pearl gets sort of lost in the shuffle.

Research:

“An Awful Find.” Cincinnati Enquirer. Feb. 2, 1896. https://www.newspapers.com/image/30900213/?terms=%22body%20found%22&match=1
Associated Press. “Youth’s Depravity.” The Lexington Herald. Feb. 7, 1896. https://www.newspapers.com/image/680738959/?terms=%22ANOTHER%20CONFESSION%22%20&match=1
Associated Press. “The Decapitated Woman.” Los Angeles Herald. Feb. 6, 1896. https://www.newspapers.com/image/80565627/?terms=%22pearl%20bryan%22&match=1
“Both Are Guilty!” Journal and Tribune. Feb. 8, 1896. https://www.newspapers.com/image/584194865/?terms=decapitated&match=1
“Clues Were Misleading.” Green Bay Press-Gazette. Feb. 7, 1896. https://www.newspapers.com/image/186951911/?terms=%22ANOTHER%20CONFESSION%22%20&match=1
“Does Crime Cause Physical Degenration?” San Francisco Examiner. May 11, 1896. https://www.newspapers.com/image/457505640/?terms=kiffmeyer&match=1
“Drugged With Cocaine.” Chattanooga Daily Times. Feb. 13, 1896. https://www.newspapers.com/image/604389689/?terms=%22body%20found%22&match=1
“Grades of Murder.” Indianapolis Journal. May 10, 1896. https://www.newspapers.com/image/322021567/?terms=%22alonzo%20walling%22%20
“Jackson’s Trial.” Jackson County Banner. April 30, 1896. https://www.newspapers.com/image/206893196/?terms=pearl%20bryan&match=1
“Murdered and Beheaded.” Philadelphia Times. Feb. 2, 1896. https://www.newspapers.com/image/52374183/?terms=%22body%20found%22&match=1
“The Mysterious Murder of Pearl Bryan, or The Headless Horror.” Barclay and Co. https://www.gutenberg.org/files/29569/29569-h/29569-h.htm#history
“Newport’s Hanging.” Hamilton County Ledger. March 26, 1897. https://www.newspapers.com/image/353595219/?terms=%22alonzo%20walling%22%20&match=1
“Pearl Bryan’s Story.” Chicago Chrinicle. May 10, 1896. https://www.newspapers.com/image/668071687/?terms=pearl%20bryan
“Pearl Bryan: Her Murderers Still Accusing Other of the Deed.” Topeka State Journal. Feb. 8, 1896. https://www.newspapers.com/image/323039676/?terms=%22JACKSON%27S%20COAT%20FOUND%20IN%20A%20SEWER%22&match=1
Rolandelli, Frank, Jr. “Mystery in Pearl Bryan Murder Still Unsolved.” Indianapolis Sunday Star. March 7, 1937. https://www.newspapers.com/image/105412793/?fcfToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJmcmVlLXZpZXctaWQiOjEwNTQxMjc5MywiaWF0IjoxNjk4MTAzODA0LCJleHAiOjE2OTgxOTAyMDR9.2bQOm9f88dN8unJ91gfkigYR6z0Z5yAmvxOQirxa2xw
“Scott Jackson the Murderer.” New York Times. May 15, 1896. https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1896/05/15/105749337.pdf?pdf_redirect=true&ip=0
“Searching the Sewers.” The Tennessean. Feb. 13, 1896. https://www.newspapers.com/image/603549764/?terms=decapitation&match=1
“She Has a New Story.” Indianapolis Journal. Feb. 11, 1896. https://www.newspapers.com/image/321981642/?terms=pearl%20bryan&match=1
“Under Arrest.” Chillicothe Gazette. Feb. 7, 1896. https://www.newspapers.com/image/291122814/?terms=%22alonzo%20walling%22%20&match=1
“Walling Testifies.” Jackson County Banner. June 11, 1896. https://www.newspapers.com/image/206898137/?terms=%22alonzo%20walling%22%20&match=1
Young, Andrew. “Our Rich History: Shoe dealer solves ghastly murder of Pearl Bryan, found missing her head, in 1893.” Northern Kentucky Tribune. Aug. 17, 2020. https://nkytribune.com/2020/08/our-rich-history-shoe-dealer-solves-ghastly-murder-of-pearl-bryan-found-missing-her-head-in-1893/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.