February 11, 1842 – Madison, WI
The Wisconsin Territorial Legislature met in Madison only to be interrupted by
the shooting of one member by another. Following a debate on the floor of the Council of the
Legislative Assembly, Charles C.P. Arndt implied that fellow Council member James R. Vineyard had made misstatements. After an uproar during which Vineyard denied Arndt's accusations, adjournment was declared.
In the moments following adjournment, Arndt approached Vineyard's desk on the floor of the assembly and the two continued their disagreement. As Arndt came closer to Vineyard he raised his hand and struck Vineyard in the head. Vineyard drew a pistol and shot Arndt in the chest. Arndt reeled backward and fell to the floor, dying where he had fallen about five minutes later.
Vineyard was tried and acquitted of manslaughter.
Charles C.P. Arndt
James R. Vineyard
