The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1878-06-12
PKOBABLE HOmICfDE AT BEN
WOOD.
Shooting OF Thomas Brannan by
Hiram Brannan.


WOOD.
Shooting OF Thomas Branuan by
Hiram Brannan.
A tremendous excitement was created
in Benwood about IL o'clock on Monday
night by the announcement that a man
had been killed. Among the first lI-
formed was Squire Frank McJllton. The
Justice was in bed at the time, but with
out delay spraug up and, dressing him.
self, FASTENED to the scene OF the disturb
spce-the house of Hiram Brsnnan, who
resides on the river bank about 400 yards
north of the BenwOod nail factory. On
his way up he learned that the wounded
party was Thomas Brannan, boiler in
the nail works, and his assaiIsnt Hiram
Branpsn, coal d gger, IN the employ OF
the same company. Mr.. McJilton at
once arrested Hiram and sent him under
guard to his house He then went to
Thomas Brannan's house, and endeav-
ored TO learn from the wounded man
something of the affair and the causes
which led TO il, but could get no reply
TO his questions except that Ill.
Brsnnan shot him. When Thomas was
shot he exclaimed, Il am done for!' and
after sta ggering a short distance tel! to
the ground, whence he was carried to
Garvey' shoe Shop and Drs. ord and rs
key called, and subsequently taken to his
home near the nail works. An exsmlns-
ton developed that he had received a
heavy charge OF No. 2 shot in the lower
portion of his stomach and upper part
of his left leg, and it was the oplnicn OF
the physicians that the wounds were
very dan gerous. But two persons wit
messed the shootlng-Mrs. Leech, wife OF
Constable Leech, and james Kelly, q
comrade OF Thomas BranDsn, who had
been with him during thu evening. Mrs.
Leech and Kelly were summoned before
the squire and the examination pro-
ceeded.
THE EVIDENCE.
James Kelley, being sworn, testified
that he and some other young men,
among whom was Tommy Brannsn,
were at the watering trough near
the company's stables, when Hiram
Brannsn came along from church, he
said, Tommy stopped him and said ONE
words to him that Kelly DID not under
stand. Tommy then said to hi, did
do anything to your Hi answered, "No,
YOU did not" Some other words which
Kelly did not catch passed and Hi start
ed TO 90 home. lie mad crossed the street
when Tommy again said something and
Hi replied, Il will have you arrested IN
the morning" Tommy then ran to-
wards Hi and Hi also commenced TO run
towards home with Tommy still pursuing
him. He kelly followed Tommy and
tried to bring him away from Hiram 5
house but could not get hlm to come. lie
then retrsced his steps, but had notrcsch,
ed the drug store when he heard
gun fired and Tommy
exclaimed, 81 am done for!' He then
went back and helped with Others to car.
~ him away.
Mrs. Leech sworn: l was home alone
when l heard some one Cursing and
swearing outside. l raised the window
and saw young man there. L tried &c
get him to 90 home. He SAID | know
you and know you are lady, and | will
say nothing TO you. Hiram Brannsn wa:
al his gate about twenty steps away with
gun. / saw some stones thrOwa as |
thought by both parties. told hi
he was sober man and advised him to
60 In the house and let the drunken man
alone, that he ought not to quarrel with
a drunken man. l then lett the front OF
the house and went around to the south
window which | raised and looked out Of
Tommy was leaning against the south
west corner OF the house when the shot
was fired l had been urging him TO
go home before the shot was fired
When this was done | was so badly
scared that | did Lo. know what toll
lowed
Hiram Brannan's st4Lement-l had
been down the road to prayer meeting
and was returning home. When |
reached the corner near the company :
stables Thomas Brannan Insulted me. In
order to avoid u quarrel | started TO run
home, which he seeing, took for coward
ice on my part and followed me. When
reached my gate | found 1t fastened,
and, not being able to get in, | told HIM
to 90 away. lEstead Of this he curscd
and swore at me and called me y s-ot &
b. and other bad names. | then went
to the front of the house and ne followed.
AS he continued his insults | went into
the house and got gun, with
which had intended to 60 hunt
ing on Tuesday, and, coming out,
told him to stop or | would
shoot him. lie replied by throwing u
rock 1T me, which went past my head
like cannon ball. l then fired.
Thomas Brannsn, the wounded nan,
is about 20 years OF age, is, rs above men
toned, boiler by occupation, and when
sober, bears the reputation Of good
hearted young man. He is the sole sup.
port Of his mother, who has been u
widow tor many years.
Hiram Branuan, the assai!ant, Is about
40 years OF age, and has n wife and three
children. He is SAID 10 be consistent
member of the Methodist Church, but o:
quick temper, and on this occasion "a
lowed his temper to get the better OF
him. The men are not related.
Upon considering the evidence Justice
McJllLon decided to require from Hiram
Brsnnon security In the sum of $1,000,
to await the action of the grand jury OF
Marshall county. This was not fur
nished, and, after being kept under guard
1T Mr.. McJilton's house sll night, he was
committed to the Moundsville jail yester-
day.
Captain VIM. Dillon.