OBIT: Jacob ISENBERG, 1880, Shirleysburg, Huntingdon County, PA

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THE HUNTINGDON HOMICIDE.
Particulars of the Killing of Jacob Isenberg by William Thompson.

  Reference has been made in the TRIBUNE to this tragedy, which 
occurred last Thursday afternoon at Drive No. 2, in the Douglass ore 
bank, in Cromwell township, Huntingdon county, about four miles from 
Shirleysburg.  The particulars of the unfortunate affair are furnished 
by the Huntingdon News, as follows: Jacob Isenberg was employed in 
shifting the ore cars in the mine, while Thompson was employed in 
digging the ore.  It was while engaged at his work that John and Thomas 
Thompson, brothers of William, who are employed at the coal mines in 
Lloydsville, Cambria county, came to the mine and engaged in 
conversation with Isenberg, who asked them what the chance was for work 
at Lloydsville.  One of them told him that he could get "an independent 
starvation," which remark it seems offended Isenberg, and after the 
brothers left the mine, Isenberg went to William Thompson and told him 
what his brothers had said, remarking that he had asked a civil 
question and received an insulting reply.  Thompson made a curt answer, 
when further angry words ensued, which resulted in both clinching and 
scuffling for some time.  Both fell to the ground, with Thompson on 
top, when Isenberg rolled him over and struck him with his fist.  Two 
workmen in the mine then interfered, and separated them.  As Isenberg 
was about leaving, Thompson picked up a shovel and struck Isenberg upon 
the head with it, causing two wounds on the forehead each about three 
quarters of an inch in length, and a severe wound with the heel of the 
spade across the left temple.  Isenberg walked to his home about a mile 
distant, where his wife asked him what had been the matter.  He replied 
that he would tell her some time again, and shortly after he became 
unconscious, and died about half-past ten on Thursday night.  An 
inquest was held, and the testimony of the examining physician revealed 
that clots of blood had collected under the wounds, which caused death.
  Thompson was arrested and brought to jail in this place on Friday 
evening.  He was born in Rochdale, county of Lancaster, England, in 
1859, and came to this country with his father's family in 1865.  His 
father was employed for a short time in the Pennsylvania railroad shops 
at Patterson, Juniata county, when the family came to Germany valley, 
this county.  In the fall of 1865 the father worked in this place at 
the cabinet-making trade, and after working for some time in Allegheny 
City and Michigan, he returned with his family in 1870 to Shirleysburg, 
where they have since remained.  William Thompson was at one time 
employed at the Sandy Ridge ore mine, near Orbisonia, and since last 
spring he was employed by Mr. Thomas B. Marsdale, to work in the 
Douglas ore bank up to the time of the above unfortunate occurrence.
  Jacob Isenberg, the victim, was a son of Mr. Joel Isenberg, and was 
aged about 35 years.  He was a resident of Shirleysburg for a number of 
years, and kept hotel in that place for several years.  Latterly he had 
been engaged in mining ore in the vicinity of Shirleysburg.  He was 
married to Miss Colegate, who survives him, together with three 
children.

Morning Tribune, Altoona, Pa., Tuesday, February 24, 1880