Morgan County democrat. (Versailles, Mo.) 1900-1906, 1906-08-10
BROTHER KILLS BROTHER
Alfred N. Townley Shot by His
Brother Werner E. Townley.
The Tragedy Occurred in st. Louis
Last Saturday Night After
Visit with Their Father
in Versailles.


$3.50 O'Clock last Saturday evening.
has caused more than ordinary ex-
citement in this city during the past
week owing to the fact that the
brothers were raised in Versailles
and are the sons of r. K. Townley
one of the old and respected citizens
of this city. The further fact that
the brothers had been here last week,
coming in on Sunday morning and
stopping with their father until
Thursday night, two days before the
terrible tragedy, never at any time
during their stay here having been
seen separated when on the street,
makes the affair all the more deplor-
able. Nick's age is about 80, Werner
about 30, both in the prime of life.
The graphic accounts of the shoot
ing are at variance as to the cause,
but whatever the gross trouble may
have been the brother who was shot
is dead. and the other who commit
ted the deed is in the hands of the
authorities, while the aged father.
two older brothers. a sister and num-
erous relatives are made to suffer.
The two brothers had not lived
here for several years, but at inter-
walls visited their old home. They
had both been educated and were
registered pharmacists. Their aged
father had treated them literally in
this respect. They had come here
last week to confer with him relative
to securing his financial assistance in
a drug proposition in Arkansas. lie
consented on conditions that he
would go and see the drug store. If
it proved satisfactory he would buy
it, take a mortgage from them and if
they made 1t a financial success he
would make proper provisions for
them in the future. Their mother
has been dead several years.
The brothers were both married
and their wives were at Nerner's
home in St. Louis when the two came
to Versailles. On their return TO the
city, it appears that their financial
matters did not reach a conclusion
satisfactory to them. They had fire.
qucnt quarrels and on Saturday they
separated, "Nick' deciding to go to
Kansas City and with his wife and
3-year-old boy Noble. repaired to
Union Station to carry out his plans.
In the evening the brothers again
met nea the station and after some
mutual understanding Werner accom-
panied '.NiCk' to the waiting room
to take leave of the l%atter's wife and
boy. Here the quarrel was renewed
and in the heat OF passion ''Nick"
struck Werner, who in turn pulled a
revolver and fired the shot which
penetrated the victims back and
lodged in the abdomen. A panic
ensued and policemen at once came
on the scene. The wounded mar
went to the ladies' waiting room and
y. tell to the floor. Werner was arrested
by an officer before leaving the station
and was taken to the four courts. A
physician saw Nick fall and ran to hi.
assistance. but officers took charge OF
him and with his wife and boy he wa.
taken to the city hospital, where ht
remained unconscious until the fol,
owing day and i, was found that hi
wound vas of a serious nature.
Saturday night the father was Gale,
up in this city and appraised Of thu
hooting which involved the two SON
! in the deplorable affair ,inged will
nurderous intent which the paren
could not fathom. Mr.. Townley lef
IN the early train Sunday mornin,