The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-08-16
SLAIN BYA MOONSHINER.
CONFLICTING VERSIONS OF THE
DETAILS OF THE TRAGEDY.

Deputy United States Collector of
Internal Revenue Weller of the Tai
lahassee District Struck Down by q
Bullet in His Brain-The Alleged
Murderer Claims That He Fired
Under a Misapprehension.
JACKSONVILLE, FLA, Aug. 15-Iats
last night Frank Weller, deputy collector
Of internal revenue for the Tallahassee di
vision, in company with deputy United
States marshal and Sheriff McLoud,
went to the house Of John
Brownell, an Illicit distiller, living
near Westville, Holmes county, to arrest
him. The deputy mershal went into the
house with Weller Brownell thereupon
jumped out Of the window, shooting Weller
as he jumped and killing him instantly.
BrowneI escaped. Weller's was a son OF
Rev. DR.. Weller of this city, for many
years rector of st. Johns Episcopal church.
He leaves IA wife and one child.
AFULLER ACCOUNT.
special TO the Times Union
from Mariana, thenearest telegraph
station to the scene Of the muir
lector Weller, gives additional particulars
OF the tragedy. The name Of the ''moon-
sinner" was John NJ. Brownell and his
home, where he had an Illicit still in opera
ton, was about fifteen miles north
OF Westville, in Holmes county.
HAVING located the retreat Of
Brownell, Deputy Weller left Tallahassee
his home, Tuesday morning with a warrant
secured from the United States commits
sloner at Pensacola. Last night Deputy
Weller, accompanied by Deputy United
States Marshals Saunders and Turvin.
and Deputy Sheriff Mcleod Of Holmes
county, took team to drive through the
woods 10 Browuell's house. 1t was bright
moonlight night and they had no difficulty
in finding the premises. About mid
night they approached the house
and found the door open and
Brownell asleep inside. Deputy Saunders
awoke him and notified him that officers
were there to arrest him. Brownell at once
seized his gun and jumped through the open
window. There he met Deputy Weller face
TO face, who ordered him to halt As quick
as flash BrowneIl discharged his
gun in Deputy Wellers face, the
heavy charge of shot entering his
left eye aud tearing the scalp. Deputy
Weller dropped dead instantly. BrownelI
fled to the woods before the other officers
had recovered from the shock, and has not
body was taken in "A wagon to Westville
aud sent to Tallahassee by rail this morn
ing. Deputy Weller was born in Jackson
vile and was % years Of age
FOUR IN THE PARTY.
ITALIA HAssEE, FLA, Aug. I5.-Collector
| Weller was accompanied, in addition to
Deputy Marshal Saunders, by two special
deputies, Daniel Mcleod and George
Irwin. Whom Saunders went into the
house and told Brownell he was wanted on
warrant. Brownell said CAN right,p but
suddenly sezed his gun and jumped out OF
the window. Deputy Saunders fired on the
murderer as he ran. A woman in the house
blew horn, aad in five minutes half
a dozen other moonshiners came up
heavily armed. The y cursed the officers
and only allowed them to move Welleris
body after much hparey. Deputy Saunders
arrived here this morning with the remains,
and an inquest was held, developing the
above facts. Gov. Fleming has issued a
proclamation Offering $3.50 reward for
BrownelIs apprehension.
THE STORY AS TOLD AT wEsTvILLE.
WEsTvILLE, FLA, Aug. 15.-It is learned
here regarding the killing that on arriving
at BrownelPs house two of the officers went
in and found their man asleep in bed They
aroused him and told him he was wanted
outside. Brownell got up and walked OUT
on the gallery with the officers. He then
took TO his heels and ran back toward the
door, in which by that time Collector
Weller was standing. Collector Weller
fired with revolver, striking Brownell in
the shoulder. The latter returned the fire
and sent bullet into WeIler's head Weller
died instantly. Brownel made his escape
This morning the officers again sought
Brownell, whom they found at homs and
who practically surrendered. He claims
that he did not know the nature of their
mission. The night before he was awakened
in the deed of night by men who
did not explain their mission, and
he thought they intended to murder him
Two Of the officers regard this statement as
true, and admit that Brownell was not told
what was wanted of HIM. Brownell is re-
garded here as a law-abiding citizen, and
the course pursued by the officers, which re-
suited so woefully, is almost universally
condemned.