Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1886-10-15
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that at no time, and in no manner did the
prisoner evince any unbalanced mind, I'M
der his observation, which extended up to
within few days of the killing. The only
way be differed from other men in CONVEX
sation was that he Dragged on his wealth.
Was at Fair Ground the day of the killing
and saw prisoner the minute after 1t. Saw
and talked with Brown in the Rotunda.
and had just turned off when he heard a
shot. Saw Brown and Coyner clinched, Mrs.
Brown striking Coyner in the face. Coyner
had caught hold of Brown, and witness
caught hold of CPS hand, got him loose
and pushed him back. Coyner said moth
way off, when Coyner commenced swear
ing and said. that 1.-THE id scoundrel
shot at me in my orchard last night"
Minor Shoaoaher. of Rockingham, was in
Rotunda when the killing took place.
After shooting. heard Coyner say Brown
had shot at him the night before in his
orchard and he intended to kill him.
Coyner's manner was that of an angry
man, but in few moments after 1t he
quoted down.
Hugh A. s. HanaiIton.-Knew prisoner
all his life. Lived on adjoining farm
and saw him often. Prisoner, before he
went West talked to witness about rent
ing him his (C.'s) place. Thought prison
er's mind was like his fathers had been
peculiar in some things. Did not think
his mind unbalanced, but on the contrary
well fitted for attending to his business.
Saw prisoner first day of the Fair and he
said 81 am as far ahead of my competitors
on fruit, as you are ahead. of yours on
Sheep" Prisoner was visionary about
farming. Had heard prisoners father
spoken of as crazy. but witness only con-
sidered him eccentric.
.Jno. ". Fduuer. Was in the Rotunda
Coyner say he had intended to kill Brown,
as he had shot at him in his orchard the
night before. Coyner seemed perfectly ra-
tional. Only saw Coyner for moment,
and then went to the wounded man.
YIN, Toll. ReU.-Knew prisoner as an
acquaintance. Never thought he was in
sane, but didn' It think he had great deal
of common sense. Could talk we'll on
books. but not well on the common affairs
Of life. Was within ten steps of him when
he killed Montezuma Brown. Coyner re-
marked the moment afterwards, that he
had killed Brown and would take the con-
sequences. Had talked with prisoner the
month before in SJaunton and he gave
connected and Interesting description of
the Western country.
-aHolaaa D. Kenmedy.-Saw prisoner at
Dunsmora's Business College the day be-
fore the Fair. He came to get an adver
tisement written OF his apples. His be-
haVior was like that Of other men. On the
day of the killing be was at the Fair
Ground and heard prisoner talking very
sensibly about horse trade. After the
killing, which occurred shortly after.
he heard prisoner say he came there to
Kill Brown and was responsible for the
act; at the same time Coyner struck his
head and said, "Some people think am
wrong here, but I aint." Coyner was fu-
riously mad.
J. Theodore Long, Supt. Of Water
Works.-Was present at the killing in the
Rotunda. After the shot, saw Brown try
ing to get parted from Coyner, and Mrs.
Brown striking G. in the face. Witness
struck prisoner blow to make him let 60.
Prisoner let 60 and staggered back. Wit
ness then went to see about tl.1z~sss-s,a ed
man. Heard Ooyner say something about
'buckshot'' wife ne was holding on to
'tbe pistol
tss serS. Chief of Police. --Took
sastody after the shooting. AS
aim down town Coyner SEEM
-ssi about the crowd getting
lisl. Witness spoke of the act
20 Uoyner said he knew it was wrong,
but it was done now. Coyner cried and
spoke of his ''old mother" Prisoner acted
like ether men arrested for crimes. Wit
ness did not see enc single symptom OF
insanity in prisoner, either while takln.
him to Jail or when be saw him since in
Jail. While taking him to jail, Coyner
spoke of Brown firing buckshot at him in
his orchard.
W. T. MaYr.-About Oct. L, '85, pris-
oner came to his shop to order ladders for
apple gathering. Made them for him. He
paid $12on them and said he would pay
che rest. There was nothing in Cs man.
ner during the whole transaction that IL
dicated in the slightest degree insanity.
the day that Coyner killed Brown, wit
ness met him in front OF Alby's store
Coyner asked how much was due on the
ladders. Told him 81 80, c. objected that
the ladders we're not painted. and said
Mari would have to get his money sat the
end of the law" There was nothing in
his manner but that of a man who wan
ted to get the ladders as cheap as he
could.
John ". Todd-Had business transac-
tians with Coyner several times. within a
month of the death of Brown-one only a
day or two before that event. Prisoner
showed no symptom of disordered mind; on
the contrary showed very good business
sense. Witness spoke to Montezuma
Brown about Coyner's reliability in a
money transaction. Brown said sit was
all right, Coyner was good for the money.
but was crazy as the devil and was shooting
at his tC's) own cattle.''
Mrs. Annie e. Bro,om, widow Of Mon
tezuma Brown.-Mrs. Brown said she was
in the ROtunda talking with her husband
about the premiums he had received
Some one came up behind and said, damn
you are you ready to shoot" or Damn you
do you want to shoot" She and her hus-
band turned and saw Coyner with the
pistol pointed. Covner fred instantly