Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1894-04-19
HILlER'S Close CALL
Tragedy in the Ex-Attorney
Generals Law Office.

NSA1SA SA2 ~ AASN w ~ AAASS
INDIANAPOLIS, April 1S.-Ex-Attorney
General Miller law office in this city,
over which appears the sign Miller,
Winter q Elan, attorneys was the
scene at high noon of most sensational
affray in which Addison c. Harris, q
prominent lawyer of this city, and VIM.
IL Bruniug, of New York, were wounded,
while Mr.. Miller miraculously escaped.
The cause of the shooting it is said, was
feud, which has existed since 1855, be
tween W. NJ. Copeland, of Madison Ind,
and VIM. Bruning, his brother in-law,
and had its birth dozen years ago when
COPELAND began paying court to MIR.
Brunng's sister
The Bruning family was opposed to the
marriage of their daughter TO CopIand,
but in 1885, while the latter was "A mem
ber of the legislature he and the young
woman arranged to marry against the
will of the parents Miss Bruning went
west but the family was acquainted with
their intention and prevailed upon her to
return home, later giving reluctant
consent to the marriage. COPELAND and
his wife took up their abode with the
latter parents, where they resided until
the parents died.
Between the husband and brother there
was, however, bitter hatred, and when
the elder Bruning died Copland's wife
brought suit to set aside the will There
followed short time after another suit
against Bruning by Mrs. Copeland to set
aside convey ance of property all eyed to
have been made by her to her brother
under threats to take Copland's life if
she refused. These suits were filed in
Madison, but as Brunng WAS living in
New York they were removed to the
federal court
Dispositions in the case were taken in
indianapolis yesterday. AS the court ad-
journed at noon COPELAND approachad At
torney Harris, who is employed by him,
and said that he understood that the de-
positions would not be taken as the par
ties were not ready Harris suggested
that they go over to the office of Miller,
Winter & Elan and see them about it,
that firm having been employed by Brun-
ing As they entered the office Harris
recognized Bruning and advanced to
shake hands with him. At the same
moment COPELAND saw Bruning and,
quick as a fash, he drew a revolver and
commenced firing at Bruning The lat
ter arose as the first shot was fired and
evidently attempted to defend himself,
but Copeland followed up his fire with
two more shots before anyone could
recover from their astonshment and in
terfere.
1t was found moment later that two
shots had taken effect in Bruning, one
breaking his Jaw and the other taking
effect in his arm As the third shot was
fired Attorney Harris grabbed COPELAND
and attempted to hold his arm. just at
that instant another shot was fired and
Mr. Harris arm fell by his side, its bone
being broken by the shot. Ex-Attorne y
General Miller was in the private room
and appeared second later and at
tempted to hold COPELAND, but the latter
struggled desperately and throwing the
ex-attorney general from him followed
Bruning into the front office, firing as he
went.
Police Superintendent Powell who was
passing on the street heard the firing and
entered the room. With the assstan ce
of five other men COPELAND was thrown to
the floor and placed under arrest In the
melee COPELAND received severe cut upon
the head, but was not otherwise seriously
injured.
When Miller and Winter emerged from
the struggle both were covered with bl ooC
from the wounds on CoplHnd's head
When seen at the police station COPELAND
was greatly excited and expressed regret
that Attorney Harris had been hurt.
COPELAND was member of the legisla-
ture in 1888 and 1855, and has an extern
sive acquaintance in this 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. 1t was stained with
blood. Only one of the six chambers was
filed, showing that five shots had been
fired.