Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1893-05-27
SLAIN AT COURT
A Prominent Attorney, Samuel wesner
Killed by Coley Brown in Courthouse
at nonviuo Ind


Killed by Coley Brown in n Courthouse
at Danville, Ind.
DANv1LLE, Ind, May ga startling
tragedy was enacted in the Hendricks
county court room Saturday immedi-
ately in front of the Judges desk j. c.
Brown, otherwise known as Coley
Brown, a wealthy citizen of Boone
county and president of the Lebanon
Natural Gas company, just after the
case in which he was defendant had
gone to the jury advanced on Lawyer
Samuel Wesner, of Lebanon, principal
attorney for the plaintiff IN the case,
and shot him.
The court had just taken the noon
recess but the judge and attorneys,
with many spectators, were still in
the room when the shooting took
place. Wesner, who was one of
the best known lawyers in his
section of the state, had given
Brown fierce scoring before the
jury in behalf of his client, Marion
Hohl, of Lebanon, suing the company
for damages. = Wesner had exposed
Browns schemes against the water
works and charged him with being OPP
posed to public improvements general
ly, doing much to undermine his local
influence.
AT the close of Wesner's argument
court adjourned for dinner and the jury
was dismissed, the court saying that he
would instruct them after the noon ad-
journment. Wesner took a seat
near an attorney and was pleas
antly chatting with him when
his attention was directed to
Brown, who was standing just in
side the railing, apparently mutter-
ing something which those nearest him
could not understand. Wesner was
told that he had better keep an eye on
Brown, as the latter was very much
excited; but he replied that he did not
fear him, and turning TO Brown, said:
''lf you have gun, pull it; l dare you
to shoot"
Brown had his right hand upon ms
hip pocket at the time, and, Just as
Wesner spoke, he put his right hand
into his bosom. Quick as a flash Brown
drew a revolver and fired, and at the
same instant Wesner drew dagger
from his bosom and gained his feet.
AS he reached standing posture
and made a step toward Brown the lat
ter fired second shot and Wesner was
noticed to tremble violently with a
sudden impulse, and, as if nerving him
self for the effort, he threw himself
upon Brown with the uplifted dagger
in his hand.
Brown caught the blade in his left
hand as it descended and the two-edged
instrument cut a deep cash across the
palm, causing the blood to flow in a
stream upon the floor. Wesne1
clutched at Browns throat and
the two fell upon the floor, but Wes
ner's strength was not equal to fur
ther effort and his hold gradually re-
Taxed while he stared Brown in the eve
with a look that plainly spoke his dis
appointment over his failing strength
AS the hold of the dying man relaxed
Brown shook him off and regained hi.
feet and Wesner expired in few mo
ments.
In the meantime the most intense ex
citement prevailed throughout the
courtroom. The jury was just retiring
for dinner the attorneys We're arrang
ing their papers and a number of ladies
were just passing out at the door
With the first shot from Browns revol
yer the scene changed like magic. The
attorneys and jurors still in the room
sought shelter under the benches anC
the ladies ran pell nell from the room
struggling in the doorway, which wa.
soon blocked by the crowd, rendering
exit impossible. At the second shor
screams of the women added tc
the confusion, and the entire
crowd was panic-stricken and rem
dered escape from the room i'm
possible by reason of their terror. As
Brown recovered his feet the sheriff
reached the scene, having heard the
shots from his Office below, and at once
| placed him under arrest. The remains
| of Wesner were removed from the room
at once and Brown was taken to Jail
where he was followed by large ant
| intensely excited crowd.
As the news of the murder spread owe
the city thousands of people assembled
upon the street and around the jai
and for several hours there wer
| grave fears that lynching would b.
| attempted lne lact Jnau tne comlnu
nifty is one of the most quiet ant
law-abiding in the state, and that tn,
older and cooler heads advised that N,
violence be done, saved Brown from tn
indignation of the people. At 10 oclocl
Sheriff Taylor took the prisoner to In
dianapolis to avoid the mob, which ha
become menacing.