Authorities say a wild squabble between two West Virginia brothers came to an abrupt end when one of their wives cracked her brother-in-law in the head with a log.

A criminal complaint filed Thursday by the Kanawha County Sheriff's Office says 48-year-old Edward Guy Cornish is facing multiple charges after a fight with his brother in Elkview.

The complaint says Cornish first pointed a rifle at his brother but the brother was able to wrestle the gun away. Deputies say Cornish then pulled out a large knife and tried to stab his brother.

That's when the brother's wife hit Cornish in the head with a piece of firewood, knocking him over.

Cornish left before authorities arrived but was arrested after returning to the scene.

He has requested a public defender but hasn't been assigned a lawyer yet.