Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-07-13

Horse.
ESPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE DIsPArCH.1
BUTLER, July 12.-News reached here to-
day of terrible tragedy committed about
four miles south of this place on Saturday
evening, the principal actors in the affair
being two brothers named Mininger.
Ten years ago Adam Mininger married
and settled on the old homestead in
Penn township, and his brother John, his
senior by four years, took up his residence
with him. The relations between Adams
family and that of John soon became un-
pleasant, and numerous quarrels be-
tween the brothers resulted. Seven
years ago John was arrested for steal
ing Adams horse, was tried, con-
victed and sentenced to five years
in the penitentiary. AT the expiration of
his term of imprisonment John returned to
Adams house, and, promising to lead
better life, was again taken into the family.
All went well for time, but finally trou-
BILE again arose and John was told to leave.
He went over to the little village of Great
Belt, about three miles distant, and engaged
in the Junk business, driving horse which
Adam had bought for him. He did not cross
the threshold of Adams house, nor appear
on the premises for over year.
On Saturday evening he drove out from
Butler in his one-horse wagon, stopped at
his brothers place, and tied his horse. He
met Adam at the gate and informed him he
intended feeding his horse in the stable. To
this the brother objected, reeiting the old
troubles, and insisting that John go to his
own home and feed his horse.
John resented this inhospitable reception
threatening him with personal violence and
finally catching him by the collar AT this
Adam whipped out revolver and began
firing at his brother, three shots being dis
charged before John fell. He was on his
feet in moment only to receive two more
shots.
Although bleeding profusely and dazed
by the wounds, John succeeded in getting
over the fence and into the yard of William
Anderson and started for the house, which
was about 80 rods distant. Anderson saw
him coming covered with blood, and having
heard the shots, ran out and assisted him
into the house. By the time John reached
the porch, he was in a perfectly helpless
condition DR.. Headland, of Butler, was
sent for and examined his wounds, ascer-
tanning that every bullet had struck him,
and it was wonderful that he was not in
stantly killed.
One bullet pierced Johns left breast, just
above the heart, and has not yet been dis
lodged; another struck him on the top of the
forehead, and tore the scalp to the crown.
Immediately back of his left ear, bullet
had struck and hattened against the skull;
another bullet passed through the back of
his neck and still another had lacerated his
throat.
AT o'clock to-day he was still living, but
with his chances of recovery almost impos-
sible
Adam rode into Butler between 10 and II
o'clock this morning and delivered himself
up to County Detective Allen, not for
getting to bring the revolver with him.
Having done this, Adam said he thought
the officer should permit him to return home,
but instead he was promptly locked up in
Jail. He said he had received many threat
ening letters from his brother and that he
believed he would have been killed had he
not pursued the course he did. The pris-
oner is 80 years of age, and has wife living
but no children. In conversation he shows
a fair degree of intelligence, but does not
appear to imagine that he has done anything
for which he should be restrained of his
liberty. He is we'll to do, and has always
lived peaceably with his neighbors John
has wife and children.