The Indianapolis journal., 1903-11-03
Barricaded Himself i'm a Barn and
Held Large Force of Police at
Bay for Nine Hours.
DEMENTED FARMERS CRIME
QUARRELED AND THEN WENT Gun
MING FOR EVERYBODY IN SIGHT.
Captured After Terrible Struggle,
md Later said He Was Bewitched
Suicide of Murderer.
PoTTsvILLE, Pa, Nov 2-wOrked into

POTTSVILLE, Pa, Nov 2-Worked into
a frenzy as a result of an alteration with
one OF his brothers, Benjamin Franklin
Weissinger, living on a farm several miles
from this city. this afternoon shot and
killed his brothers Louis and Frederick,
attempted TO kill his sister and a sister,
in-law, and held large posse of policemen
at bay for nine hours before he was cap
tured.
The tragedy occurred on the farm or the
father OF the men. Benjamin and Freder-
ick had a quarrel early in the afternoon
over the cleaning OF a horse. During the
alteration Benjamin fired four shots at
Frederick without any Of them taking ef-
feet. Frederick fed to the attic of the
farmhouse and was followed into the house
by the enraged brother. The latter secured
a Winchester repeating rife, and as he was
leaving the house he encountered another
brother. Louis. at the kitchen door. With
out a word of warning Benjamin fired at
Louis, the bullet striking him in the side.
The victim fell unconscious and died in
half an hour without uttering a word.
The murderer then walked down a path
and caught q glimpse OF Frederick, who
was looking out OF the attic window. Ben
The bullet entered Frederick's cheek and
penetrated the brain He fell dead across
the window sill. His wife, who had gone
TO the attic with him, attempted to drag
the body into the room. She succeeded in
this. but not before BENJAMIN had fired sew
eral shots at her without effect. The
double murderers attention was then at
tracted 10 his sister Mary, who had come
out of the house to persuade him from
doing any more shooting. She persisted so
strongly tnat he turned his rifle upon her
and tired twice, but his aim was bad The
young woman escaped into the house.
Being satisfied with what he had done
and fearing arrest Benjamin decided to bar
ricade himself in the barn. He went into
volvers and a supply of ammunition and
then took up his position in the barn. The
women of the house notified neighbors. who,
this city. Every attempt the authorities
made TO approach the barn was met with
several shots from Weissinger. and rein
forcements Were sent for. Towards even
ing. after a parley with the murderer, he
permitted David Worth and Samuel Lovett
farm hands. TO enter the barn and feed the
horses and cattle. Weissinger in the mean
arms.
When Sheriff Smith appeared on the scene
a ruse was planned to capture the man.
Another parley was held with the murderer
and he agreed to let the two farm hands
bring him his supper. The men were in
structed to watch their opportunity, seize
him by the arms and shout which would
be the signal for the deputies to rush in
This they did. and a terrible struggle took
place. The murderer is a powerful man.
but the force OF numbers was too much
for him, and he was tied hand and feet
before he could further use his weapons
He was brought to this city tonight, anC
will be given a hearing after the funera
OF his brothers.
weissinger is believed to be insane Hi
mind Is said 10 have been falling for som,
time. He had nothing TO say regarding tn,
tragedy. except that he exclaimed: "I an
beWitched."