The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-18
Bessemer Man Badly Injured
 By Brother-in-Law
OUTCOME OF OLD FEELING
5rophy Ran for Some Distance In and Out of Stores, With Nolan Firinq as He Ran-Personal
 and General.

Bessemer, April 17-(Special.) )-The city was startled at Il :25 o'clock this morning by the rapid firing of a pistol, and the scattering of people in all directions. all running for safety, while man was run ming for dear life and another was shoot ing at him as he ran.
 First they ran down the stairs out of the office building, on the street, into the store of Berry Bros, again on the street and into the jewelry store of U. Schwa- bacher, where the two men finally stopped.
 The crowd gathered and it was found that J. E. Brophy was lying with wound in the side and Chief of the Fire Depart ment William F. Nolan was standing with an empty pistol in his hand. Policeman George Coins placed Nolan under arrest, and hurried him to the city jail, while kennedy's ambulance was called and Brophy was placed inside and hurried to the hospital, where he was laid on the op- erating table. The physicians found a wound about half way between the shoulder blade and the hip on the right side where the bullet entered and did not come out. Another wound was on the thumb. The physicians decided to wait awhile before an operation was per formed. At ? o'clock the wounded man was given an anesthetic and probing done. It was found that the ball had en- tered the side, piercing the liver but not wounding any of the other vital organs The liver was sewed up and the physi- clans stated that Brophy had fighting chance for his life.
 The trouble leading up to the shooting, so far as learned. is as follows: Brophy married Nolans sister, and the two men have had differences for several years, once previously eliminating In a fight be- tween them. A day or two ago Brophy sued Mrs. w. F. Nolan for the sum of $6l, and the summons was made return able before Justice w. b. Lanier, and Nolan, Mrs. Nolan and several witnesses gathered in the courtroom for the trial today.
 Later Nolan went outside and from those who were present it Is learned that Brophy started up the stairs with his lawyer, H. C. Meade. When near the top of the stairs. or at the top. 1t is said that Nolan began shooting, although negro stated that something was said before the shooting. Anyway, Brophy started rapid ly down; the stairs followed by Nolan, who was shooting all the time. Brophy first dashed among people and into Berry's store. where the shot that struck in the side was received. Again out and into the crowded store of Schwabacher, knocking boys down he ran Brophy dashed around the showcases, just as two more shots were fired. Brophy then crouched in the corner while officers grabbed Nolan.
 It is reported that Nolan had been warned time and again that Brophy had threatened to kill him sight, but no one thought that there would be any diff ficulty. Nolan, when seen, would make no statement as to what led up to the shooting nor as to the shooting itself. Nolan was visited at the city jail by his wife and children, and Mrs. Nolan stated that she had been in fear for three years that Brophy would kill her husband, as he had threatened to do so in her hearing.
 Brophy is tailor and runs a store on Fourth avenue within two blocks of the Nolan home. He has a wife, a sister of Nolan. and three or four children.
 Nolan has been chief of the fire depart ment for 15 or 20 years, and Is a con- tractor and builder. He has wife and seven children, the eldest F years of age
 Nolan was admitted to bail this aft ernoon by Judge William Jackson in the sum of s300, the warrant being made returnable before Justice W. P. Gum, on April 27.