OBIT: Daniel METZKER, 1886, 1889, North Woodbury Township, Blair County, PA

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HIS SKELETON ON A TREE
Daniel Metzger, of Martinsburg, Missing For Two Years, Found at Last

  About two years ago Daniel Metzger, an old man 60 years of age, disappeared 
from his home a mile out from Martinsburg, and nothing was ever heard about him 
or from him to tell of his whereabouts.
  A brother, Isaac M. Metzger, living in Martinsburg, and a son, Isaac Metzger, 
living in this city, have mourned him as dead.
  Yesterday morning Alexander McMasters, while passing through the barrens about 
three miles from Martinsburg came across a perfect skeleton hanging from an oak 
tree limb.  By the hat and coat still hanging upon it the remains were 
identified as those of the missing Metzger.  They  were taken down and the jury 
now investigating the case may agree that suicide was the cause.

Altoona Mirror, January 7, 1889 

REMAINS OF THE MISSING MAN.

  Our Martinsburg correspondent says the remains of Daniel Metzker who so 
mysteriously disappeared from his home in North Woodbury township, August 22, 
1886, were found in the "Barrens," in a dense thicket of scrub oaks and 
underbrush, Sunday afternoon, by Alexander McMasters.  Monday forenoon, S. B. 
Lysinger, justice of the peace in Martinsburg, went to the place where the 
remains were found, and impaneled David Hagey, Isaac Dilling, I. B. Kensinger, 
E. E. Wolfe, Heir Smouse and W. H. Brumbaugh as a jury, who held an inquest.  
After hearing a number of witnesses the inquest was concluded.  At this point 
Coroner Glenn put in an appearance, when Esquire Lysinger turned the whole 
mater over to that official.  The jury subsequently returned the following 
verdicts: "That we are satisfied as to the identity of the remains, but the 
cause of death is unknown to the jury."  It was shown to the jury that during 
the latter years of Mr. Metzker's life he was troubled with vertigo or 
dizziness in his head, and it is supposed that while going to visit some 
friends was taken with one of these spells, and falling was unable to raise 
himself and thus perished.  His remains were brought home and buried Tuesday 
afternoon.

Altoona Tribune, January 10, 1889