The Forrest City times., 1894-04-20
AM EXCITING AFFRAY.

ravyer and HIS Littie ouh make A~,',ngs LivevIy in an Indianapolis Law
 lmnsW. M. Copeland Shoots His
 u.a,ber-in-Law and a Bystander-The
 .,.nse of the Shooting as Told by Cope
 Iand-An old Feud.
 IxnIASAPoLIs, Ind, April 1s.-Ex ,,.ornev-General Miller's law office in ,b;s city. over which appears the sign: .N;lley. Winter & Elan, attorneys"
 .s the scene at high noon yesterday ofa most sensational shooting affray, in which Addison c. Harris, promi- nant lawyer of this city. and Wm. H. pr,n;np. of New York, were wounded, ,rb;le Mir. Miller miraculously escaped.
 The cause of the shooting, it is said, .ras A feud which has existed since ,ssi between w. NJ. Copeland, of Madi- son Ind, and Wm. Pruning, his brotber-in-law, and had its birth sev- oral years ago when Copeland began naving court to Mir. Bruning's sister.
 Retween the husband and brother there was, however, bitter hatred. and when the elder Pruning died Cope lands wife brought suit to set aside tho will. There followed short time after another suit against Bruning by Mrs. Copeland to set aside convey auce of property alleged to have been made by her to her brother under threats to take Copeland's life if she refused.
 These suits were filed in Madison, but as Pruning is now living in New York they were removed to the federal court on petition of the defendant. Depositions in the case were taken in Indianapolis yesterday. Court ad iourned at noon. Shortly after Cope land approached Attorney Harris, who is employed by him, and said that he understood that the depositions would not be taken, as the parties were not ready. Harris suggested that they 20 over to office of Miller, Winter & Elam and see them about it, that firm having been employed by Pruning.
 As they entered the office Harris re- cognized Pruning and advanced to shake hands with him. At the same moment Copeland saw Pruning, and quick as flash he drew revolver and commenced firing at Pruning. The latter arose as the first shot was fired. and evidently attempted to defend himself, but Copeland followed up his fire with two more shots before any one could recover from their astonish ment and interfere.
 It was found moment later that two shots had taken effect in Pruning, one breaking his jaw and the other lolo I, h, ,,,.l l,N was fired, Attorney Harris grabbed Copeland and attempted to hold his arm. Just at this instant another shot was fired and Mir. Harris arm fell by his side. it's bone being broken.
 Ex-Attorney- General Miller was in the private room, and appeared a sec ond later and attempted to hold Cope land, but the latter struggled desper- ately and throwing the ex-attorney general from him, followed Pruning into the front room of the office, firing as he went.
 Police Supt Powell, who was pass ing on the street, heard the firing and entered the room. With the assist ance of five other men Copeland was thrown to the floor and placed under arrest. Pruning 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 other wise seriously injured.
 When Miller and Winters emerged from the struggle both were covered with blood from the wounds on Cope lands head
 When seen at the police station Copeland was greatly excited, and ex- pressed regret that Attorney Harris had been hurt. When asked regard ing the cause of the trouble he said:
 '0n September a3. 1885. l married Bruning's sister. Before our mar riage she was on visit to some relatives at Mount Pleasant, la. Pruning. on learning that l was to marry his sister, went 10 Iowa and forced her to deed piece of property in Evansville. He told her that if she refused to sign the deed to the property before she married me, She would be widow in very few days after we were married. With ms hands held up he swore he would make her widow. She asked him if ne intended to kill me. He said he did unless she made the deed, so she made It. knew nothing about the transac- tlon until after my wife came from New York in February, 1889, when my mother-in-law dled. Pruning completely robbed my wife by having ms father, who is S3 years old, almost olind, deaf, and entirely incompetent, make will. disinheriting my wife. rive days after the funeral of my mother-in-law, Pruning had his fla