Evening journal., 1903-11-03
KILLED BROTHERS
OVER R HORSE
Frenzicd Murderer Then Held
Officers at Bay for Nine
Hours
FINALLY CAPTURED BY A RUSE

Pottsville. Pa. Nov 8. - Worked
into a frenzy as a result of an alterca'
fion with his b. gother. Benjamin Frank
lin weissinger, living on a farm sew.
eral miles from this city, shot and
killed his two brot Ners, attempted to
kill his sister and a sister-ln-law' ana
held a large posse & policemen az
bay nine hours before ne was cap
tured. The tragedy occ, Vred on tne
farm of the father Of the men Ine
dead men are: Louis " 'elsslhser
aged 27 years, single. and F. 'eaerA'A
nged 25. who leaves q widow. hn'
fratricide is 45 years old.
Benjamin and Frederick had a q var
rel over the cleaning OF horse. Fr,N
ericlN wanted to take a horse ont with
out cleaning him, to which Benjamin
objected. During the alteration Ben
jamin fred four shots at Fred without
any Of them taking effect. Frederick
fed to the attic of the house and was
followed into the house by the en-
ragged brother. The latter secured a
w lMtAtnAiA repeating INV anu % AN
was leaving the house he encountered
his other brother Louis, at the kitch-
en- door. without 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 glimpse of Fred
erick, who was looking out of the at
tic window Benjamin quickly raised
his rife and fired. The bullet entered
Fredericks cheek and penetrated the
brain. lie 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 several shots at her without ef-
feet The double murderer's attention
was then attracted to his sister, Mary,
who had come out of the house to per
suade him from doing any more shoot
ing. She persisted so strongly that he
turned his rifle upon her and fired
twice, but his aim was bad. The young
woman escaped into the house.
Having realized what he had done
and fearing arrest Benjamin decided
to barricade himself in the barn. He
went into the house, secured a shot
gun, several revolvers and ammuni-
tion and then took up his position in
the barn. The women of the house no
titled neighbors who in turn summoned
police assistance from this city. Every
attempt the authorities made to ap-
proach the barn was met with several
shots from Weissinger, and reinforce
ments were sent for. Towards even
ing. after a parley with the murderer,
he permitted David Wertz and Sam
uel Lovett, farm hands, to enter the
barn and feed the horses and cattle,
Weissinger in the meantime kept the
men covered with his firearms.
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 instructed to
watch their opportunity, seize him by
the arms and yell which would be the
signal for the deputies to rush in.
This they did and a terrible struggle
took place. The murderer is a very
powerful man, but the force Of num-
bers was too much for him and he
was tied hand and foot before he could
further use his weapons. He was
brought to this city. and will be given
a hearing after the funeral Of his
brothers.
Weissinger is believed to be insane.
His mind is said to have been failing
for some time. He had nothing to say
regarding the tragedy except that he
exclaimed: II am bewitched."