Illiopolis, IL, June 22 - An apparent suicide pact between two elderly brothers went awry, leaving one of them dead today and the other hospitalized from a bullet wound.
Fatally shot was James Edward Graham, 74. Arthur Henry Graham, 77, his chest pierced by a .22 caliber slug, was taken to St. John's Hospital where he was given a fair chance to recover.Arthur Graham told authorities he and his brother had been in ill health. Assistant Sate's Attorney Lawrence Swinyer said the wounded man related: "Jim is dead. He shot himself. I shot myself. Jim talked me into it. He said we didn't have anything to live for."
A Springfield lawyer who went to the Graham home for legal discussions discovered the shooting. He found James Graham dead in a rocking chair and Aruthur lying wounded on a bed. Two rifles were on the floor.