The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1894-08-15

LEBANON, Aug. s.-Special.-For a
second time within less than two years
this city Is In ferment OF excitement
over the killing Of a member OF the
Wesner Family.
In May. 1898. In the Dsnville court
room few minutes after closing bril-
liant argument OF "A case which had been
venued from this city. the Hon. c. S.
Wesner was shot and fatally injured by
]. 9. Brown. After a long trial II was
proved that tho killing wac in self-de-
Tense and Brown was accordingly ac-
quilted.
At 1880 O'Clock this evening Hanse
wesner. son OF the dead lawyer. was
shot and killed by his father-in-law.
James Livingston. and the circumstances
are such that another long trial will
doubtless result
WcHncr had been drinking for several
days and last night drove his family,
sister aud mother. from the handsome
Baat-st residence Of The latter. All
took refuge with neishbors aud remained
IN hiding through the night and all Of to-
day.
reign or terror prevailing in the
neighborhood
AZ noon wesner won't 20 the home OF
his futher-in-law on BuHbysHt, and. sup
posing his wife 90 Doe there, demanded
90 see her. bat was ordered OF the prem
iscs by Livingston.
The young man sworc that he would
soc her. and that he would make things
hot around the place Ho violent were
HE threats that before going TO supper
Livingston borrowed o. dnublr-hnrrcled
shotgun and carried 81 home. determined
Co defend himself and rimiiy,
His daughter, Mrs Wesnct had been
home short time and then cont TO
the residence et chief OF Police Oden 10
secure that See. protection.
About 30 o'clock Livingston aaw his
fon- lu-iaw approaching, and when the
httrr reached the gute he WIS ordered
% come no further and told that his
wife WAS not there.
lie persisted iu advancing. and Living
ston again warned him that he was
tresspassng. bat according DO his state
ment, received as an answer, &c d.
The law; / carry 10 IN my pocket" 40 the
same time reaching toward his hip,
frw other ris were spoken and
Livingston raised his E1n after again
ordering Nesuer away
Not being needed he thrust he weapon
almost against Wcsu-r'a body and b.aZed
away, and as the latter turned second
shot was fired.
Both took effect tearing a great wound
IN the mans stomach and also In his
As he fen he said: "Jlm, you have
killed me-"
And the irate father-in-law replied:
II don't give damn. ! told you what
I'd do
Nelghbors began docking 10 the scene
and at first Livingston would not let
them come near, but finally consented.
Then he went % NJ NJ. McWllllams
and asked that gentleman To accompany
him up town 90 surrender 90 Shern
Truotmau. This was done and the slayer
IS now behind the bars.
Wesner was suffering terrible agony
hut was removed 90 his mothers home
and The physi 'ians summoned. After
making an examination they reported
that he could not possibly live aud pro-
ceeded 20 make him as easy as possible
during his last hours
Prosecutor Dutch arrived In a short
time and took Wesner's dying statement.
a Sentinel reporter being present al thu
time
In It he declared that ne had merely
gone 10 the house % see his wife q "a
children. He made no threats. nor said
or did anything 90 provoke the killing.
Although suffering intense pain he re-
fused 10 take any drug. and made his
declaration 90 the prosecutor I'm short
broken statements.
Many people were congregated about
the house during the evening discussing
the matter and In tho business portion
OF The city the same scenes We're repeated
lie died at 1890 D. M
Sentinel reporter called At the tall
and secured "a short interview with
Livingston. He was sitting IN his cell
smoking clay pipe and talking 20 other
prisoners.
lie said Wcsner had repeatedly threat
ened him. and having once been nearly
cut 20 pieces 10y his sou-in-llw had So
cured the gun Jo defend himself
He declared The killing was FOR HIS own
protection, but that he deeply regretted
s.
While Livingston has never had a
good standing lu the city he has not
been considered dangerous.
Wesner was about twenty-f1ur years
Of age, had ~ occupation ana has al
ways been considered "A disso.ute and
desperate character