In the quiet streets of Melville, Montana, the life of Joseph Brannin, a 28-year-old White male, was tragically cut short on November 16, 1911. Brannin, who served as a Deputy Sheriff, was killed in the line of duty, a violent end to a life of public service. His death left a profound impact on the community and his family, which included his widowed mother, seven brothers, and five sisters.
The investigation into Deputy Brannin's murder led to the arrest of a man named Mel Jowell. Described as a handsome and eloquent individual, Jowell was seen as an unlikely hardened criminal. Despite this perception, he was tried and convicted for the killing. In May of 1912, Jowell began serving a 22-year sentence at the Montana State Prison in Deer Lodge for the murder of Joseph Brannin.
Another man, Walter Waymire, was also charged with assisting in the murder.
Jowell's story did not end with his imprisonment. In a daring escape, he and another inmate, S. P. McAdams, jumped from a moving train while being transported back to prison after testifying at Waymire's trial. A manhunt ensued, and Jowell, using various aliases, remained at large for a time. He was eventually captured in Elko, Nevada, after a shootout and returned to prison to continue his sentence for the murder of Deputy Sheriff Joseph Brannin.
