Southampton County Virginia USGenWeb Archives Newspapers.....Parricide, 1927 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/va/vafiles.htm ************************************************ "Suffolk (VA) News-Herald," Vol. 5, No. 188, Fri., Oct. 28, 1927, p. 1 YOUNG BRYANT FACES MURDER CHARGE TODAY Southampton Youth Is Alleged To Have Killed His Father; He States That the Shooting Was Accidentally Done, As His Father Came Within Range As He Shot at Squirrel A coroner's jury, presided over by Justice of the Peace G.S. Cornwell is engaged today in holding an inquest over the body of Arthur Bryant, aged about 50 years, who was mysteriously shot and fatally wounded yesterday morning in the Sedley secton of Southampton county by his 14-year-old son, Henry Bryant. Sheriff Bell, of Courtland, and other county officials are present at the hearing which is being held for the purpose of fixing the responsibility for the senior Bryant's death, which occurred last night at about 8 o'clock. The wounded man never regained consciousness after being shot and consequently there was no statement from him as to the circumstances surrounding the shooting. Commonwealth's Attorney R.E.L. Watkins, of Franklin, said the report was current that Mr. and Mrs. Bryant were either involved in a quarrel or the husband was threatening her or the boy when the youth ran into the house, seized his gun and fired two shots into his father's body. He said that the doctor who examined Bryant's body last night said that there were two distinct wounds which would indicate that there might have been foul play. He stated also that Mrs. Bryant had admitted that her husband frequently lost patience with members of his family and that all was not as peaceable in the Bryant home as it might have been. The coroner's jury began the investigation at 10 o'clock this morning. Sedley is about five miles from Franklin and eight miles from Courtland, the county seat, and the Bryant home is in an isolated section. According to the boy it was purely an accident, although he admits that he fired the shot that caused the death of his parent. He was the only eye witness to the affair, and when questioned by Sheriff T.B. Bell, who was summoned to the Bryant home later in the day, Henry Bryant told him that while he was "shaking" peas in a field near a swamp hs heard what he thought was a squirrel barking. He went over to the house and procured his single-barrel shotgun and loaded it. That was at about 11 o'clock in the morning. As he was passing across the yard toward the swamp the boy said he shot a sparrow. Reloading his gun, he again shot at another sparrow just as his father stepped in range of the gun. He stuck resolutely to that story, but the sheriff was not satisfied and took the youth to Franklin, where Justice C.J. Edwards admitted him to bail with a Mr. Beaton of his neighborhood as bondsman. The load of shot entered Mr. Bryant's neck and breast on the left side, the wounds indicating that the shooting was done at close range. A Mr. Holland, employed on another part of the Bryant farm, heard the shot, as did also the boy's mother, but they could throw no light on the unfortunate affair or clear up the mystery. As far as could be ascertained there had been no trouble in the Bryant home or between the boy and his father. The coroner's jury is seeking to find the facts as they existed in the Bryant home prior to the tragedy. The Bryants are described as poor but respectable people. Henry is the second son and there are two other boys and one or two girls in the family. ****************************************************************************** "Suffolk (VA) News-Herald," Vol. 5, No. 189, Sat., Oct. 29, 1927, p. 1 HENRY BRYANT CONFESSES KILLING FATHER TO SAVE MOTHER SHERIFF SAYS BOY TOLD HIM CRIME REASON Fourteen-Year-Old Boy in the Courtland Jail Is Said To Have Poured Story of the Killing Into the Ears of the Police Officer. FATHER HAD AN AXE IN HANDS AS SLAIN Older Man Was Alleged To Have Been Advancing Upon Mother of Lad When Hasty Firing Resulted in Wounds That Were Later Fatal. Henry Bryant, the 14-year-old Southampton youth, held for the murder of his father, Arthur Bryant, at their farm near Sedley, Thursday morning, is alleged to have confessed to the slaying of his parent to prevent him from killing his mother. According to T.B. Bell, of Courtland. sheriff of Southampton county, the boy made a clean breast of it to him at the jail at the breakfast hour this morning. Henry Bryant told Sheriff Bell his father was advancing upon his mother with an upraised axe in his hands, when he fired one load of his single-barrel shotgun into his body. Then he said that he slipped another shell into the breach and fired a second shot into the body of the wounded man as he lay on the ground. The elder Bryant lingered until 8 o'clock Thursday night, dying without gaining consciousness or making a statement. The Southampton county authorities, at the instance of Sheriff Bell, spent practically all day yesterday seeking to solve the mystery surrounding the shooting. A coroner's jury, summoned by Sheriff Bell and presided over by Magistrate G.S. Cornwell, went to Sedley yesterday where the inquiry was made. The boy and his mother repeated the story of how the former had shot a sparrow and then when shooting another his father got in range of the gun, receiving its contents in his breast. Many witnesses were examined and the jury was satisfied that there had been trouble in the Bryant home. But mother and son held out steadfastly that the firing of the fatal shot was purely accidental. Dr. R.L. Raiford, of Franklin, testified that Bryant had received two gun shot wounds, one in the breast and the other in the abdomen, fired at a distance of probably 30 yards. He also found a bad bruise on the dead man's head. The boy testified that he used No. 6 shot in the gun that killed his father. About 5 o'clock yesterday afternoon the coroner's jury returned a verdict to the effect that Arthur Bryant came to his death from gun shot fired from a gun in the hands of Henry Bryant. Sheriff Bell brought the youth to the Courtland jail, where he is being held in default of $2,000 bail bond. Although the son has admitted the killing of hts father the cause of the wound on the head has not been explained. It looked like the wounded man had been struck a hard blow with some blunt instrument, but Henry Bryant professed to know nothing about this wound. Sheriff Bell said the self-confessed slayer of his father is large for his age and looks much older than his years. He has the appearance of being undernourished and is said to have been in the third grade at the public school. The family resided on the farm of T.H. Birdsong, of Suffolk, near Courtland, for 14 years, but had lived on the farm where the tragedy occurred only about one year. The funeral of Mr. Bryant took place this afternoon and burial was at Joyners in Southampton county, the original home of the family. ****************************************************************************** "Suffolk (VA) News-Herald," Vol. 5, No. 190, Mon., Oct. 31, 1927, p. 1 MURDER SEEMS FARTHER FROM FAST SOLVING Although Doing Very Little Talking and a Lot of Investigating Southampton Authorities Expecting to Make Additional Arrests. NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN CASE BELIEVED CLOSE Seems From Talks With Those Who Are Conducting Investigation That the Boy Under Arrest in Bryant Case Does Not Tell Them All. Other arrests may occur at any moment in connection with the slaying of Arthur Bryant, a 50-year-old farmer living near Sedley in Southampton county, last Thursday morning and for which his 14-year-old son, Henry, confessed guilt. Commonwealth's Attorney R.E.L. Watkins, of Franklin, and Sheriff T.B. Bell were in conference in Courtland, the county seat of Southampton, today. Mr. Watkins admitted that a new angle of the case had developed that seemingly involves others. Young Bryant at first claimed he accidentally fired the contents of his single-barrel shotgun into the body of his father who came in range of the load as the boy shot at a bird. He stuck to this story stoicially until after the inquest and he was remanded to jail in default of a $2,000 bail bond. On Saturday morning he confessed to Sheriff Bell that he shot his father, who, he said, was advancing upon his mother with an axe upraised to strike her, to prevent him from injuring or killing her. Since then Sheriff Bell has been making close inquiry into the various angles of the case prior to the tragedy seeking the motive for the crime if one had been committed. It now looks like it has been found, but the Southampton officials were not ready to talk for publication early this morning. The commonwealth's attorney says that he does not believe the boy has told all he knows, although he may have fired the fatal shots as he admits. Sheriff Bell said this afternoon that the boy still maintains that he told the truth in his confession, but his conversation shows that he was much embittered against his father. He said that his parents had quarreled constantly as long as he can remember and shows that he sided with his mother in their marital troubles. The boy has expressed no regret over his act, his chief concern being about getting his freedom. He is described as hard and unemotional and without interest in matters that usually hold the mind of boys of his age. ****************************************************************************** "Suffolk (VA) News-Herald," Vol. 5, No. 191, Tues., Nov. 1, 1927, p. 1 Police Still Work Upon Bryant Case There have been no new developments in the tragedy in which Henry Bryant shot and killed his father, Arthur Bryant, at their farm home near Sedley in Southampton county last Thursday morning. The boy is still in jail in default of a $2,000 bail bond fixed by Justice G.S. Cornwell following the verdict of a coroner's jury last Saturday afternoon, in which the youth was held responsible for his parent's death. It was stated yesterday by Southampton officials that new angles to the homicide had been discovered and that at least two other arrests may follow. It was admitted, however, that the officers were not yet ready to act. Suspicion points to other accomplices in a conspiracy to get Arthur Bryant out of the way. Evidence at the coroner's investigation showed that Mr. and Mrs. Bryant frequently quarreled and this is borne out by the statement of the son who says they were always rowing. ****************************************************************************** "Suffolk (VA) News-Herald," Vol. 5, No. 192, Wed., Nov. 2, 1927, p. 1 Still Investigating Bryant Murder Case It was said at the office of T.B. Bell, sheriff of Southampton county, that he had gone to the home of the late Arthur Bryant this morning, but that there were no new developments in the slaying of Mr. Bryant last Thursday by his young son, who is still in jail at Courtland. It is supposed that Sheriff Bell is continuing his investigation of the case in an effort to clear up some of the mystery surrounding it. Henry Bryant, the confessed slayer of his father, whom he killed, he said, to save the life of his mother, still sticks to his confession made to Sheriff Bell last Saturday. The Southampton authorities have said they believe the youth shot his father as he admits, but that the real motive for the killing has not yet been disclosed. They are now engaged in uncovering the reason why Bryant was slain and the manner in which he was felled by a blow on his head. ****************************************************************************** "Tidewater News" (Franklin, VA), Vol. 23, No. 4, Fri., Nov. 4, 1927, p. 1 14-YEAR-OLD BOY KILLS FATHER AS RESULT OF FAMILY QUARREL Some Mysterious Aspects of Tragedy Puzzling to Officials as to Real Motive. Young Bryant Is in Courtland Jail Awaiting Hearing Henry Bryant, 14-year-old boy of the Courtland community, is in the county jail on a charge of murdering his father, Arthur Bryant, on Thursday of last week. The boy, who is described as utterly indifferent about his father's death, has confessed to killing him but states that he did it in self-defense to protect his mother as the elder Bryant was advancing upon his wife with an upraised axe. The boy, however, previously said that it was an accident, his father stepping in front of his gun just as he was shooting at a bird. There are also stories as to probable quarrels in the Bryant home, and the Southampton authorities, while believing that the boy actually killed his father, are in doubt as to the true motive which lay behind the act, even granting that it was done purposely. The evidence given by the boy and his mother tallied closely. The Bryants lived between Courtland and Vicksville on the main Courtland- Ivor highway. The murder or homicide, as the case may be, was done about noon on Thursday and at a coroner's hearing conducted by Justice of the Peace, G.S. Cornwell of Sedley, the following day, Henry Bryant was committeed to Courtland jail in default of a $2,500 bond. Here he will probably remain until the January term of Southampton Circuit Court, which falls on the third Monday of that month, when he will be arraigned before Judge McLemore. The offense charged being a capital one, the boy will not be turned over to the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court, as would be done in the event of a minor crime, according to a statement made by Commonwealth's Attorney R.E.L. Watkins, but he will face the regular Circuit Court in January. It is believed by the officers who investigated the case that some salient facts in regard to the case have not been revealed, evidences of a severe blow on Arthur Bryant's head, leading to the surmise that accomplices may have figured in the tragedy, and that the development of further evidence may lead to additional arrests. ****************************************************************************** "Virginian-Pilot & Norfolk Landmark," Vol. 110, No. 17, Tues., Jan. 17, 1928, p. 13 BOY IS INDICTED IN FATHER'S DEATH Southampton Youth To Face Trial At Courtland On January 25 Suffolk, Jan. 16. - Henry Bryant, aged 15, of Southampton County, charged with killing his father October 27, 1927, was indicted today on first degree charges by the grand jury in session today. Judge James L. McLemore set January 25 as the trial date. Bryant, after having been confined in Southampton jail, told Sheriff Bell that his father came after his mother with an upraised ax and that he, Henry, shot the father, Arthur Bryant. Bryant, who is the youngest person charged with murder ever brought to trial in Southampton County, is defended by James W. Pulley, of Southampton. Arthur Bryant who was found dead of gunshot wounds on October 27, was said by Mrs. Bryant, his wife and mother of Henry, to have been shot accidentally by Henry as the latter was aiming at a rabbit. Later, when in jail, Henry said he shot his father with intention. ****************************************************************************** "Virginian-Pilot & Norfolk Landmark," Vol. 110, No. 26, Thurs., Jan. 26, 1928, p. 1 Murder of Father Brings Year Term For Sedley Boy Hint of Second Assailant Results In Leniency For 15-Year-Old Slayer Courtland, Va., Jan. 25. - Convicted today of murdering his father, Henry Bryant, aged 15, of Sedley, Va., was sentenced to serve one year in the State reform school. Judge James L. McLemore altered the sentence after the jury recommended a year term in the State penitentiary. Testimony introduced to show that Arthur Bryant, the father, was struck on the head probably by another person after the son shot him down was held responsible for the lenient verdict. Witnesses told of a man, a close friend of the family, who had a criminal record and who has left the State since the killing. In the presence of a crowd that jammed the small courtroom, Henry took the stand during his trial. "I shot my father when he went after my mother, saying he was going to kill her," Henry testified. Under the questioning of his attorney, Junius W. Pulley, Henry declared he did not strike his father on the head either before or after the shooting. Mr. Pulley then called witnesses to show that Bryant's skull had been fractured by a crushing blow of some heavy instrument and that such a wound could have proved fatal. The attorney argued that Henry had lived in improper environment, amid family rows and poverty and that he could not be held as strictly responsible for the crime as a boy who had enjoyed more favorable conditions. Immediately after the killing Henry told authorities the death was accidental, that he had been shooting at a squirrel and that his father stepped into the line of fire. Afterwards he made the statement which he reiterated at his trial today. Henry Bryant will be taken tomorrow to the State reform school. ****************************************************************************** "Tidewater News" (Franklin, VA), Vol. 23, No. 16, Fri., Jan. 27, 1928, p. 1 BRYANT BOY GETS YEAR'S TERM FOR KILLING FATHER Fifteen-Year-Old Slayer Draws Light Term Because of Unexplained Blow on Father's Head and Family Troubles. MOTHER IS CHIEF WITNESS Henry Bryant, 15-year-old boy of the Sedley community, charged with killing his father, James Arthur Bryant, on October 27, 1927, was given a year in the penitentiary as the result of his trial held in Courtland on Wednesday of this week, Judge McLemore changing the sentence to one year in the State Reform School. Young Bryant, who was 15 years of age on December 24, last, was defended by Junius W. Pulley, whose skillful conduct of the case has occasioned much favorable comment. The members of the jury were: C.A. Holt, L.W. McGrath, G.W. Burgess, W.W. Nurney, R.E. Ferguson, J.B. Wade, Jr., C.W. Parker, W.E. Edwards, S.R. Beale, G.L. Bryant, H.D. Babb and M.E. Barrett. The courthouse was packed during the trial which consumed the entire day, an element of mystery in the killing adding to the interest taken in the arraignment of young Bryant and the probable development of the testimony. It is recalled that the boy told Justice of the Peace G.S. Cornwell immediately after the tragedy that he killed his father accidentally while shooting at some sparrows, but later confessed to Sheriff T.B. Bell that he killed him in defense of his mother, upon whom the elder Bryant was advancing with an axe. This later version was adhered to in the trial, and the boy's mother proved his best defense, corroborating the testimony of her son in practically every particular. The Commonwealth failed to account for a heavy blow on Bryant's head, which, according to the reported testimony of the physician who performed the autopsy, Dr. R.L. Raiford, might have been a contributing cause to the death of the murdered man. The name of a neighbor, who was said to have been on the Bryant place during the day of the murder, was mentioned, but not in any direct connection with the tragedy itself, although improper environment, family troubles and other possible cause of friction between father and son entered into the sordid story of the events leading up to the parricide. This man, who has a criminal record, is not in the county at this time and is supposed to have left the State. Witnesses called during the day included the accused, his mother, E.H. Beaton, upon whose place the Bryants lived and who was called to the scene after the murder, G.S. Cornwell, the trial justice, Dr. R.L. Raiford and Sheriff Bell. James Arthur BRYANT, farmer, b. 8 Sep 1885, Greensville Co., murdered 27 Oct 1927, near Courtland, interred 29 Oct 1927, near Sebrell* *Additional information: Site not known (May 2026) to the Southampton County Historical Society {SCHS} Cemetery Project. D.Cert. 23450 (Jerusalem #20) gives b. Greensville Co.; parents unknown; the informant was his widow. Arthur, b. Southampton Co., son of Henry & Catherine BRYANT, and Annie Laura, daughter of William & GEORGIANNA (STORY) BRYANT, m. 5 May 1909. (Southampton Co. #97; MB13:438) Annie (1885 - 1975) & son Henry Bruce BRYANT, Sr. (1912 - 1989) buried in Rosemont Cemetery, Sedley. SCHS Cemetery Project, Rosemont list (S-12/13): http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/southampton/cemeteries/rosemont.txt Arthur, b. 1884, appears in the 1900 Census - Zion Dist., Greensville Co. - with his paternal uncle "June" Junius Asbury BRYANT. "June" (1848 - 1923) is buried in a BRYANT family cemetery, Low Ground Rd., near Emporia. (Find a Grave Cemetery ID #2187074) Henry D. BRYANT, b. ca. 1845, Northampton Co., NC, son of Edwin T. & Sarah Ann (BRITTON) BRYANT, m. "Sallie" Sarah E. JEAN, b. ca. 1843, Greensville Co., daughter of James & Elizabeth JEAN, 12 Oct 1865, in Greensville Co. They appear in the 1880 Census in Zion Dist., Greensville Co. Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by File Manager Matt Harris (zoobug64@aol.com). file at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/southampton/news/19271028nh.txt