The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-07-08
SHOT IN COURT.
An Exciting Scene at a Red
Bluff Trial.
Tragic Result Of a Quarrel Between 0ppos-
Ing Counsel.
William Nagle Fatally Wounded by Charles
4. Braynard -FireS In MERGED
County.
Epecial to THE MORNING CALI.

RED BLUFF. July Intense excitement
was caused this afternoon by the shooting
Of William Nagle by Charles II. Braynard
during the progress of trial before Justice
Tolley in which both participants were op-
posing attorneys. The small courtroom in
the Odd Fellows Building was crowded
with witnesses and spectators, including
several women, when the firing began,
which caused the greatest CONSERVATION.
With the shrieking of the women and the
efforts of the men to get out of range Of the
flying bullets, the scene was one OF the wild
est confusion.
P. d. Coffman and c. Il. Braynard were
recently employed by Mrs. Belle Lunsford
In suit where some of her property was
attached. They wen the suit, but she failed
aud refused to pay them for their services,
and employed William and Charles G.
Hagle to defend the suit which followed.
To-day, during the progress of the trial, fire.
quent wordy conflicts occurred, and a per-
sonal encounter seemed imminent Several
times during the examination Of a witness
Charles Nagle remarked that they, meaning
Braynard and Coffman, might win their case
II they were not trying to swindle poor
woman out of 500.
''Do you mean that" asked Coffman. Ma
gle replied that he did, when Coffman
picked up chair and struck at Maggie.
William Nagls started to his brothers. as
sistance, when Braynard pulled his pistol
and began firing, four shots entering his
victim. Charles Nsge rushed upon Bray
nard. but escaped without serious injury.
I'd Il
through a rear window and walked up on
the main street Nagle was supported and
started toward drug store, but tell in front
of Lang's saloon. He was carried to his
Office near by and physicians Immediately
summoned. Two shots had entered his left
side, below the ribs, from behind, near the
left kidney, and were found near the sur
face in the front OF his body. The fourth shot
also took effect. No pistol was found upon
him. The wounds are almost sure to prove
fatal and he was removed to his home.
Miss Nellie Braynard was screaming and
crying near by alter she heard OF the shoot
Ing. Her brother went over to where she
was. S oke few words of encouragement
and then gave himself into custody and was
locked up in jail. He appeared very cool
alter the shooting. He sent for his hat
which was left in the courtroom, and re-
marked that the NagleS could not run over
him always
About eight years ago ex-.Iudge Braynard
was married to Miss Mary Maggie, a sister of
the victim of to-day'S tragedy. His former
wife, two sons and a daughter who reside
here deeply resented this action, and an in
tense hatred has existed between them and
the Naglrs. Judge Braynard was defeated for
reelection as Superior Judge last fall and
domestic troubles which had been brewing
for several months eliminated in his wife
compelling him 10 leave his home, she haY-
ing secured a deed 10 the property and re-
tanned possession of all the household ef-
fectS. Nervous prostratiOn followed and
the Judge, broken down in health and
spirit, was cared for by his first wife and
children in his last illness. He died a few
days ago, aud no doubt the primary cause
OF to-dsy's tragedy was the result of re-
veGge in the mind IF the son.
P. b. Maggie Of San Francisco Is the father
Of William Maggie. The latter's two
brothers and sisters also live there. Physi-
clans think that Nage cannot possibly re-
cover. As soon as reaction set in after the
shock he began bleeding internally. 1t is
thought that he cannot possibly live until
midnight.
When visited in the Jail Braynard said
that lie desired to make no statement. All
that lie asked was fair treatment He hest
tated a moment as he thought of what had
occurred and tears filled his eyes as he said,
Nobody knows what I've been through"
Braynard told Sheriff Fish that when he
got up and approached the c0mbatants
William Nsge made motion to draw pis-
tol, when he began firing. The tragedy is
undoubtedly the sequel of Judge Braynard's
unhappy marriage into the Nagle family
and their turning him out Of house and
home. Public sympathy is divided, and
while many denounced the attack as cold
blooded, Braynard has many sympathizers
with him in his unfortunate position. At 9
O'clock tonight Naglc was reported to be
dying. DIR. WeStlake states shat he is pulse
less and CaQ last huG a little ghila