Democratic Sentinel, Volume 17, Number 20, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 June 1893 — SHOT IN A COURT-ROOM. [ARTICLE]

SHOT IN A COURT-ROOM.

Lawyer Wegner Murdered by Coley ISrown Before the Judge’* Desk. The noonday quiet of Danville. Ind., was disturbed the other day by two shots that rang out of the court-house windows and were plainly heard around the business blocks that surround the court-house square. Immediately some one ran out Into the streets from the court-room exclaiming: “A man has been murdered in there." “Who is it?" exclaimed several. “Coley Brown has just shot Lawyor Wesner,” was tho reply. Brown is president of the Indiana National Gas Company and Samuel Wesner was an attorney of the Boone County bar. The shooting occurred in the court-room direotly in front of the Judge's desk. For several days a suit, Martin Hope against the Lebanon Gas Company, for damages has been on trial and been bitterly contested on botn sides, and the shooting was the outcome of this suit. Brown drew his revolver and fired two shots. Wesner moved toward Brown and pulled a long dagger. Just as he laid hands on Brown Brown fell and Wesner dropped upon him. He was taken off und laid down. Wesner’s strength began to fail and he died in forty minutes. Brown was arrested, his revolver confiscated, and he w'as taken to jail. The coroner was called and his verdict was In accordance with tho fads as stated, practically charging Brown with the murder. Brown was taken to Indianapolis, where he will be out of the way of mob violence.