Tippin to give encore presentation of Pearl Bryan story at Roachdale Library

Thursday, July 27, 2017

ROACHDALE -- The Putnam County Museum is sponsoring an encore presentation of the History of the Bryan Family and the Life and Times of Pearl Bryan at the Roachdale Public Library.

Larry Tippin

Putnam County Historian Larry Tippin, a Roachdale resident and museum board member, will present a freshly researched, two-part presentation.

The talks will take place on consecutive Thursday evenings, Aug. 3 and Aug. 10, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Roachdale Public Library, 100 E. Washington St., Roachdale. The side doors will open at 6:15 for seating.

Alexander Bryan was a successful and respected farmer and businessman, with land holdings in Floyd Township and in Greencastle. His wife was the daughter of Col. A.S. Farrow, a likewise successful and respected citizen of the county.

Pearl Bryan

Tippin has recently researched the story of this vibrant and energetic family, their children and friends, their history and backgrounds. His studies have led to a picture of family life in 1890s Putnam County, with the attendant triumphs and tragedies.

One of those tragedies was the death of Pearl, the next to the youngest Bryan child, in 1896. The media frenzy that developed around the events of the January night she died, created rumors, half-truths, innuendos and outright wrong perceptions about Miss Bryan.

Tippin will illuminate the life of Pearl and the important events occurring in Greencastle in the year 1895 which contributed to her tragedy.

He read through more than 3,000 pages of trial transcripts, medical reports, newspaper articles and other court records, to determine the truth. These original source documents and transcripts were key to his revelations concerning the short life of Pearl Bryan.

This program is free and open to the public.

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