People's Pilot, Volume 2, Number 49, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 May 1893 — SLAIN AT COURT [ARTICLE]

SLAIN AT COURT

A Prominent Attorney, Samuel Wesner, Killed by Coley Brown in a Courthouse at Danville, Ind. DANVILLE, Ind., May 22.—A startling tragedy was enacted in the Hendricks county court room Saturday immediately in front of the judge's desk. J. C. Brown, otherwise known as Coley Brown, a wealthy citizen of Boone county and president of the Lebanon Natural Gas company, just after the case in which he was defendant had gone to the jury advanced on Lawyer Samuel Wesner, of Lebanon, principal attorney for the plaintiff in the case, and shot him. The court had just taken the noon recess, but the judge and attorneys, with many spectators, were still in the room when the shooting took place. Wesner, who was one of the best known lawyers in his section of the state, had given Brown a fierce scoring before the jury in behalf of his client, Marton Hohl, of Lebanon, suing the company for damages. Wesner had exposed Brown’s schemes against the water works and charged him with being opposed to public improvements generally, doing much to undermine his local influence.

At the close of Wesner’s argument court adjourned for dinner and the jury was dismissed, the court saying that he would instruct them after the noon adjournment. Wesner took a seat near an attorney and was pleasantly chatting with him when his attention was directed to Brown, who was standing just inside the railing, apparently muttering something which those nearest him could not understand. Wesner was told that he had better keep an eye on Brown, as the latter was very much excited; but he replied that he did not fear him, and turning to Brown, said: “If you have a gun, pull it; I dare you to shoot!” Brown had his right hand upon his hip pocket at the time, and, just as Wesner spoke, he put his right hand into his bosom. Quick as a flash Brown drew a revolver and fired, and at the same instant Wesner drew a dagger from his bosom and gained his feet. As he reached a standing posture and made a step toward Brown the latter fired a second shot and Wesner was noticed to tremble violently with a sudden impulse, and, as if nerving himself for the effort, he threw himself upon Brown with the uplifted dagger in his hand.

Brown caught the blade in his left hand as it descended and the two-edged instrument cut a deep gash across the palm, causing the blood to flow in a stream upon the floor. Wesner clutched at Brown’s throat and the two fell upon the floor, but Wesner’s strength was not equal to further effort and his hold gradually relaxed while he stared Brown in the eye with a look that plainly spoke his disappointment over his failing strength. As the hold of the dying man relaxed Brown shook him off and regained his feet and Wesner expired in a few moments. In the meantime the most intense excitement prevailed throughout the courtroom. The jury was just retiring for dinner, the attorneys were arranging their papers and a number of ladies were just passing out at the door. With the first shot from Brown’s revolver the scene changed like magic. The attorneys and jurors still in the room sought shelter under the benches and the ladies ran pell mell from the room, struggling in the doorway, which was soon blocked by the crowd, rendering exit impossible. At the second shot screams of the women added to the confusion, and the entire crowd was panic-stricken and rendered escape from the room impossible by reason of their terror. As Brown recovered his feet the sheriff reached the scene, having heard the shots from his office below, and at once placed him under arrest. The remains of Wesner were removed from the room at once and Brown was taken to jail, where he was followed by a large and intensely excited crowd. As the news of the murder spread over the city thousands of people assembled upon the street and around the jail and for several hours there were grave fears that a lynching would be attempted. The.fact that the community is one of the most quiet and law-abiding in the state, and that the older and cooler heads advised that no violence be done, saved Brown from the indignation of the people. At 10 o’clock Sheriff Taylor took the prisoner to Indianapolis to avoid the mob, which had become menacing.