NEWS: The Alleghanian; 18 Feb 1864; Ebensburg, Cambria Cnty., PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Patty Millich Copyright 2009. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cambria/ _________________________________________ The Alleghanian Ebensburg, Pa. Thursday, 18 Feb 1864 Volume 5, Number 21 Terrible Tragedy in Johnstown We are indebted to our Johnstown correspondent for the following reliable particulars concerning the Moore-Marbourg tragedy, which has created such wide-spread excitement thro' out the State: "A most terrible tragedy was enacted in this place on Friday morning, 12th inst., involving the death of one of our most prominent citizens. A criminal intimacy had for some time past been known to exist between the wife of Joseph Moore, auctioneer, and Jordan Marbourg, merchant, both of Johnstown. In addition to various meetings had at a certain house on Clinton street, it is known the parties also visited Ebensburg, Somerset, Greensburg and other localities in company. But so great faith did the confiding husband place in the virtue of both, that he did appear to imagine for a moment that his honor – the most sensitive feeling of a man's heart - was being outraged. A short time ago, however, Moore became informed as to the situation of affairs and forthwith set to work to establish either the guilt or innocence of the parties. One after another, he visited the several localities where they had been in the habit of meeting and on Thursday evening, in returning from Greensburg where his proof had culminated, he directly charged his wife with infidelity and demanded a confession. This she at length made, acknowledging that an improper intimacy had been existing between Marbourg and herself for over a year. "The next morning, Thursday, about 8 o'clock, Moore met Marbourg immediately in front of the Post Office and, in the presence of a number of witnesses, shot him dead on the spot. After committing the deed, he went to Esquire Rutledge's office and delivered himself up. On his own confession, he was committed to answer for the crime of murder. "The news of the tragedy spread like wild fire and in a few minutes a large and excited crowed had gathered around the Post Office eager to obtain a glimpse of the deceased. Until late at night, knots of men were to be seen occupying the sidewalks and the murder was the sole topic of conversation. "I herewith append an abstract of the testimony elicited before the Coroner's inquest: "Howard J. Roberts, sworn: Was standing in the TRIBUNE office when one of the boys, who was at the window, remarked that there was a fight going on below stairs, in which one of the parties had a revolver. Went to the window and recognized Joseph Moore and Jordan Marbourg as the participants. Moore had Marbourg by the throat or collar with his left hand and held a revolver in his right. Marbourg was backed against the Post Office window and his hat was off. Think Moore told Marbourg he had seduced his wife, thereby ruining him; and that she had acknowledged all; and that he was going to kill him. Do not know what Marbourg made answer, but he looked as if he wanted to reason with Moore; he made no resistance. Moore let go his hold, stepped back a pace, drew a pistol and fired either four or five shots. About the time he fired the second shot, Marbourg fell forward toward the street; stepped back from the window, but shortly after looked out again and saw Marbourg lying there; did not see Moore. Saw Marbourg's body being conveyed away. Think he was dead when he fell; know he was dead when carried away. Think they talked together about two minutes before Moore fired. Do not know whether deceased was struck in head or breast first; saw mark on half of his head when they lifted him up. This on the morning of the 12th February, 1864. "John M. Bowman, sworn: Saw and heard Moore, in a very excited manner, charge Marbourg with having seduced his wife, saying that she had confessed all; Marbourg denied the charge; all I could distinguish of his words were, "I did not," or "I never did." Moore continued in a violent manner and brandishing a pistol, to charge that he was guilty of the crime, saying that his wife had acknowledged all; that, while he (Moore) was in the service of his country (the nine months service) last year, he (Marbourg) had ruined his family, and that he would be perfectly justifiable in shooting him. Marbourg seemed to be denying the charge and attempting to explain to Moore; the latter repeated, "You did, Jordan, you did!" using profane language. About two minutes elapsed while this was occurring when Moore stepped back, so I thought to go away but suddenly leveled the pistol at Marbourg and fired; my impression is that five shots were fired, the first, I think, taking effect in the forehead, perhaps about the left temple; the next three were fired in quick succession as he was falling. After the body had reached the pavement, Moore stepped back a pace or two and, taking deliberate aim at the head, fired, the ball striking the top or back of the head. I then closed the window, &c. "George Thomas, sworn: This witness who does business near the Post Office testified in substance similar to the foregoing. He stated that when the altercation commenced, he went to the door of Wehn's store (next door to Post Office) and asked Geo. Wehn, who was standing on the step, if they had better not take Moore away; Wehn did not think he would shoot and said they had better not interfere. "George Wehn Jr., sworn: Moore came into my store that morning and sat near and facing the door; asked him if he had read an account of the late battle; he said he had not; I got a paper and commenced reading him an extract from the RICHMOND EXAMINER; he appeared deeply interested. He sat about half an hour, when he suddenly jumped up and went out. I went to the window and observed Marbourg going to the Post Office; then went to the door and saw Moore standing by the Post office door. When Marbourg came out, Moore caught him by the collar and told him his wife had confessed all, at the same time commanding him to get down on his knees and confess his guilt for he was going to shoot him. While saying this he pulled a revolver out of his inside breast pocket, with his right hand, grasping Marbourg with his left. He continued saying, "You have ruined me and my family, you - - -; I do not like to shoot you, and have your blood on my soul, but I am a professor of Christianity, and believe I would be perfectly justifiable in so doing; while I was fighting for my country, you seduced my wife!" Moore was crying at the time, * * After firing, Moore put the pistol in his pocket, with the handle exposed, and walked toward the Mansion House, saying he wanted to give himself up. "Col. E. Shaffer and Charles Barnes were also examined before the inquest; but their testimony does not vary materially from the foregoing. "Dr. Lowman made a post mortem examination of the body and found five wounds – two in the head, one in the neck, one through left breast and one in left arm. The one in the head supposed to be the first fired was sufficient in itself to have caused instant death. "The affidavit of Esquire Rutledge to the effect that Moore surrendered himself to justice and was committed on his own confession was also taken in evidence; and a verdict in accordance with the testimony was rendered by the jury. "Moore was removed to Ebensburg, the same morning, to await his trial, which will doubtless take place at the coming March term of our county Courts. "The remains of the deceased were consigned to their final resting place on Sunday, followed thereto by the largest concourse of people which ever attended a funeral in this town. "I almost forgot to remark that Marbourg had made arrangements to go to Philadelphia the morning he was killed and had left home with that intention! "The pistol used by Moore in the commission of the bloody deed was an Allen repeater, better known, possibly, as a 'pepper box.' "Both Moore and Marbourg were members of religious denominations – the former of the Disciples and the latter of the Lutheran church – and both bore excellent reputations. Moore has one child, a son, of probably 15 years of age; Marbourg leaves a wife and nine or ten children, some of the latter grown up. Deceased was about 50 years old. "Another Tragedy – Almost! Another adultery case has just turned up, which, the injured husband threatening condign punishment upon the destroyer of his domestic happiness has been compromised by the payment to him of $1,000 by his wife's paramour. Six hundred dollars of this amount was paid down and a note given for the balance. Alleged Murder A rumor is current in town to the effect that in an affray on Monday last a man, name unknown, was stabbed so severely at Gallitzin, this county, as to result in his death. It lacks confirmation. Gone Back Our re-enlisting veteran soldiers, who were at home on furlough during the past three weeks, have all returned to their respective regiments. West Virginia Correspondence A correspondent from West Virginia sends us the following interesting item of information: "On the morning of the 12th inst., at about 3 o'clock when the Express train west from Baltimore on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad was between Harper's Ferry and Martinsburg, it was stopped by a gang of fifteen rebels, who rifled the cars of express goods, mails, &c. Moreover all on the train, from Conductor down were robbed of all their money and valuables. The Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Co., are trying hard to have this news suppressed but your correspondent deems it nothing but right that it should be made public." War News The recent attempt of Gen. Butler to rescue the unhappy prisoners at Richmond has created a good deal of excitement as well as admiration all over the country, notwithstanding its want of success. Had the attempt succeeded, the blessings of hundreds of thousands of the people would have been showered upon the head of the man who had conceived the expedition and under whose direction it had been executed; and although it failed, even the attempt deserves and will receive their gratitude. A fact in regard to it however, still remains behind, which we regret to be obliged to state and which fully justifies – if any justification were needed – Gen. Butler's attempt at rescue by force of arms. Negotiation at an exchange had failed and information had reached him that within a week all the prisoners in Richmond were to be removed to Danville, Georgia. Once taken so far within the Rebel lines, their condition will be more hopeless than ever. To rescue them, while it was yet possible was Gen. Butler's purpose. Regulations for Lent The season of Lent commenced on Wednesday, 10th inst., and will continue seven weeks. It is generally observed by the Roman Catholic and Episcopal denominations. For the guidance of the first named, the following regulations have been issued: 1. All the faithful who have completed their twenty-first year are, unless legitimately dispensed, bound to observe the fast of Lent. 2. They are to make only one full meal a day, excepting Sunday. 3. The meal allowed on Fast days is not to be taken till about noon, 4. At that meal, if on any day permission should be granted for eating flesh, both flesh and fish are not to be used at the same time. 5. A small refreshment, commonly called collation, is allowed in the evening; no general rule as to the quantity of food permitted at this time is or can be made. But the practice of the most regular Christians is never to let it exceed the fourth part of an ordinary meal. 6. General usage has made it lawful to take in the morning some warm liquid as tea, coffee or thin chocolate made with water and a cracker. 7. Necessity and custom has authorized the use of hog's lard instead of butter in preparing fish, vegetables, &c. 8. The following persons are exempted from the obligation of fasting: Young persons under twenty-one years of age; the sick, pregnant women or those giving suck to the infants; persons obliged to hard labor and all who through weakness, cannot fast without injury to their health. 9. By dispensation the use of flesh meat will be allowed at any time on Sundays, and once a day on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, with the exception of the Saturday in Ember Week, Spy Wednesday, Good Friday and Easter Saturday. Milk, eggs, butter and cheese are not forbidden except on Good Friday. 10. Persons dispensed from the obligation of fasting are not bound by the restriction of using meat only at one meal on days on which its use is granted by dispensation. Those who are obliged to fast are permitted to use meat only at one meal. General M'Clellan's Report This document so remarkable for its length has elicited the following criticism from the New York TIMES: The original document will probably never meet the eyes of one of a thousand of our readers. Its enormous bulk of a thousand printed pages precludes general circulation. The book properly speaking is not an official document at all. It has none of the succinctness and simplicity which belong to that class of productions. Military annals, either in Europe or in America, may be searched in vain for any report of a General-in-command of one-tenth part of the magnitude of this. Wellington, through seven years in the Peninsula, never wrote a paper that would fill twenty of these pages. Grant though his achievements have been a hundred times greater, has told them all in repots, the whole collection of which may be read in sixty minutes. This report, is, in fact, nothing else than the Military Memories of Geo. B. M'Clellan, printed at the expense of Government. What Gen. M'Clellan was or what he did that entitled him to such unexampled self- display may surely puzzle the future historian. For his benefit we may as well say that this huge parade don't appertain at all to anything Gen. M'Clellan is or to anything he has done as a military man. The compilation is all political. It comes from his aspiration to be a Presidential candidate.