The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1883-01-26
MURDER AT JUNCTION.
Dr.. Brownlee Shot and Killed by Harry
Abrams.

/ DR. Brownlee Shot and Killed by Harry
Abrams.
On last Friday DIR. Brownlee and Harry
Abrams, of junction, became engaged in an
alteration which resulted in the death of
Brownlee. The inquest was held On Sat
urday. There appears to be two versions to
the affair, one being that of Abrams, who
| testified as follows:
| Brownlee came into our store Friday eve
ming, between five and six;" came back to
| the stove and said ''How do you do p l
asked ''Where have you beenT' He ans
wered, "Out hunting" then asked, in a
| jocular way, "With friend p and related
an anecdote noticed Brownlee was con =
| siderably intoxicated. He walked to the
show case on the right side of, the store,
| called me to him and said in low tone,
| 81 have trouble with the Pitneys and want
| to buy sef-cocking pistol. have one in
| my pocket but it don't suit me-" I ans
wered 81 have none to sell except the
kind you see in the show-case;'' also said,
''Doc, what seems to be the matter between
you and the PitneysT" Brownlee said,
''They and their women have been talking
about me, and I intend to kill them" I
| replied, s'Doc, they are not desperate men.
l will see them and try to settle the matter
for you" He answered, IF you have
money or books in the store take them
home, for am going to burn the damned
| town up" I was now leaning with my
hand on his shoulder, He pointed his fng-
er at me and said, ''Damn you, intend to
kill you, sir, can make you get down on
your knees to me-"
said, ''Yes, Doc, you are stronger man
and can handle me-" The conversation now
became louder. said, s'Doc, you don't
want to whip me. What have you against
me ?" and tried to move towards where
Baber sat- Brownlee stopped me, put his
left hand against my right pocket, in which
was my hand, as if searching for weapon,
at the same time striking me in the pit of
the stomach, as if stabbing me. I grabbed
his left hand while he grabbed me. and
threw me. I hallooed to Baber to take him
off. Baber took hold of him and said, s.For
Gods sake, Doc, don't strike him." Father
now came in, and said, ''Don't kill MIN,
Doc," I then got up and tried to get past
them to get something to defend myself
with. Father said, 'For Gods sake, Harry,
run or he will kill you." Doc said, 81 will
kill my best friend" After getting two
pistols, and putting one in each coat pocket,
l started for the front door, intending to
run into the street and escape from him.
He then ran towards the front door on the
opposite side of the stove, behind the coun-
ter. When he came to the end of the coun-
ter he grabbed some rustic frames and struck
me two or three times before l commenced
to shoot. He then dropped the frames,
came towards me and threw me against the
front of the building. He continued to adj
vance and continued shooting until six
shots were fred, thought Brownies was
armed as he usually is, and 1 shot thinking
my life in danger.
The other story, and upon which the cor
oner's jury appear to have acted, is the fol-
lowing statement. made at the inquest on
Saturday by G. G. Baber, an eyewitness
When he went into the store Abrams and
Brownlee were standing up by the counter
with their arms around each other and con-
versing in a low tone and friendly manner.
In a few minutes Abrams said to Brownlee:'
'sYou are not mad at me, are you, Doc !?
Browniee laughed and said "no." They
then took hold of each other playfully.
Brownlee threw Abrams sideways against
the middle counter Abrams said: exit,
(meaning Baber,) don't let Doc hnrt me-,
Baber put his hands on Brownlee and let
loose Abrams was laughing and went to
the stove. Abrams then got angry, and at
this junctnre his father came in the store.
He and Baber tried to pacify Abrams, but
he went back and got hatchet, starting
towards Brownlee. Baber took it from him.
Abrams then went behind the counter to a
desk and took out revolver. Brownlee
started towards the door and got to the end
of the counter, when Abrams fired twice.
Brownlee fell to his knees and elbows. At
the third shot he went to the floor Then
Abrams stepped back one step and fired
three times, the six shots all taking effect.
He then went to the front door, waving his
revolver, and said he was a Thoroughbred. :"
The jury returned verdict to the effect
that DR.. ]. G. Brownlee came to his death
by pistol shots fired by H. Nv. Abrams,
and that feloniously. Abrams was then
committed to Jail without bail. A preim-
mary examination was had Tuesday, and
it is quite certain that the findings of the
coroner's jury will be sustained. The fune-
raj of DIR. Brownlee took place at junction
City on Sunday and was largely attended.
The body was buried at Eugene.
This IsuaI Thing at tha Front