The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-04-18
BULLETS IN A Law OFFICE
EX-AttOTnGy General Miller Has a
Narrow Escape.

w. M. Copeland, of Madison, Ind,
Opens Fire on william Bruning, His
Brother-in-law--TheL Latter Wounded
in the Jaw and Arm-A Lawyers
Arm Broken BY a Shot While Trying
to Wrest the Pistol From Copeland.
Copeland Struggles Like a Wild
Beast in His Determination to Kill
Bruning-Everyone in the ONCE Cow
cred With Blood.
Indianapolis Ind, April 17.-Ex-Attor-
ney General Miller's law Office in this
city, over which appears the sign mill
Ter, Winter and ELAN, attorneys" was
the scene at high noon to-day of a most
sensational shooting affray, In which Adj
Olson g. Harris, a prominent lawyer OF
this city and William H. Bruning, of
New York, were wounded, while MIR.
Miller miraculously escaped. The cause of
the shooting, 1t is said, was feud,
which has existed since 1886 between w.
M. Copeland, of Madison, Ind, and Will
lam BruninG, his brother.in-law, and had
its birth dozen years ago, when
Copeland began paying court to Mr..
Bruning's sister. The Bruning family
was opposed to the marriage OF their
daughter to Copeland, but in 1885,
while the latter was member of the
legislature, he and the young
woman arranged to marry against the
will of the parents. Miss Brunlng went
west, but the family was acquainted
with her intentions, and prevailed upon
her to return home, after giving reluc-
tant present to the marriage. Copeland
and his wife took up their abode with the
latter's parents, where they resided until
they died.
BITTER HATRED.
Between the husband and brother
there was, however, bitter hated, and
when the elder Bruning died Copeland's
wife brought suit to set aside the will.
There followed a short time after another
suit against Bruning by Mrs. COPELAND TO
set aside o conveyance of property
alleged TO have been made by her TO her
brother under threats TO take CopeIand's
life II she refused. These suits were
nled in'Madison, but as Bruning is now
living in New York, were removed
to the federal court ON petition OF
the defendant. Dispositions in the
case were taken at indianapolis to-day.
AS court adjourned at noon, Copeland
approached Attorney Harris, who is en-
ployed by him, and said that he underS
stood that the depositions would not be
taken, as the parties were not ready. MIR.
Harris suggested that they 60 over TO the
office Of Miller Winter and Elam and see
them about ID, that firm having been em-
pioyed by Bruning. AS they entered the
office, Mr.. Harris recognized Bruning and
advanced to shake hands with him.
COPELAND OPENS FIRE
At the same moment Copeland saw
Bruning, and quick as flash he drew
revolver and commenced firing at Bruning.
The latter arose as the first shot was fred
and evidently attempted to defend him
self but Copeland followed his fire with
two more shots before any one could re-
cover from their astonishment and
interfere. IL was found moment
later that two shots had taken
effect In Bruning, one breaking his
jaw and the other lodging in his
arm.
AS the third shot was fired, Attorney
Harris grabbed Copeland and attempted TO
hold his arm. Just at this instant an
other shot was fired, and Mr.. Harris
arm fell TO his side, its bone being
broken by the shoe.
DESPERATE STRUGGLE.
Ex-Attorney General Miller was in the
private room and appeared o second later
and attempted to hold Copeland, but the
latter struggled desperately, and throw
ing Miller from him, followed Bruning
into the front room Of the Office, firing as
he went Police Superintendent Powell,
who was passing on the street, heard the
firing and entered the room. With the
assistance of five other men, Copeland
was thrown to the floor and placed under
arrest.
Bruning ran at once from the Office and
went to DOCTORS Office
In the melee Copeland received a severe
cut upon the head, but was not otherwise
seriously injured.
COVERED WITH BLOOD.
When Messrs. Miller and Winters
emerged from thestruggle, both were COW
cred with blood from the wounds ON
Copeland's head.
Copeland was q member of the legisla-
ture in 1888 and 1855, and has an extern
sive acquaintance in the city. A spring
back dirk knife, with an eight-inch blade,
was taken from his pocket at the jail.
The revolver is of large calibre Of the
hammerless pattern II was stained
with blood. Only one Of the six chambers
was filed, showing that five shots had
been fired