The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-02-26
A SHOCKING TRAGEDY IN
PENNSYLVANIA.
Alleged lnfidelity of a Wffe.-Sum.
mary Vengeance by the Husband.

Alleged lnfidelity of a Wffe--Sum-
mary Vengeance by the Husband.
From the Pittsburg Gazette, Feb. IS.
On Friday morning, between eight and
nine clock, shocking tragedy occurred
in JohnstOwn, Cambria county, the par
ticulars of which are these: In the fall ol
1862, Mr.. Joseph Moore, resident of the
borough, enlisted in the 133d Pennsylva-
MIA regiment, leaving behind him a wife
and one child. His wife was a fine looking
woman, prepossessing in appearance and
rather gay and dashing in her manner.
At the end of his term (nine months)
Mr.. Moore returned, and from the village
gossipers he subsequently heard whispers
of his wife's inidelity. The gentleman
mentioned in connection with the scandal
was Mr.. Jordan Marbourg, a wealthy mer-
chant of the town. 1t was ascertained
that he had paid frequent visits to Mrs.
Moore's house during the absence of her
husband, and the evidence became SO
strong and convincing that he determined
to accuse Marbourg to his face. He &C
cor1ingly visited him, preferred his accu-
sation, and told him plainly that he was
going to shoot him. Marbourg denied
that he had any improper intimacy with
Mrs. Moore, and assured him that he was
mi ,.aken in his suspicious He further
more proposed to investigate tue rumors,
and bear all the expenses of the investi-
cation himself. This proposition did not
meet Moore's approval, and he again warn
ed Marbourg of his intention to have re-
venge by taking his life.
The extraordinary determination which
Moore exhibited alarmed both Mr.. and
Mrs Marbourg, and they had made ar
rangements to leave the place. Mrs. Mar
bourg sent for Mr.. Moore, and had an in
terview with him, during which she ap-
pealed for the life of her husband. She
told Moore that if the allegations were
true, his situation could be no worse than
hers in fact, not so bad, since he had but
one child and she had maryland the
shame and disgrace fell equally upon them
both The appeal, however, was in vain,
as the outraged husband still maintained
that nothing but the lite of Marbourg
would suit him.
On Friday morning, Moore arose early,
and leaving his Ahouse, visited grocery
store near the postofice, where he rec
mained until between eight and min
O'Clock, when Marbourg passed by. Moore
started ont Immediately, and caught Mar
bourg by the collar-saying "Get down
on your knees; am going to kill you.
My wife made clean breast of it last
night She told me all. and gave me a
portion of the money which you paid her. -
Saying this, he drew revolver and fired,
the first shot taking effect in the region of
tt 9 heart. Marbourg fell forward, and
Moore discharged two balls into his head,
and then fired fourth, which took effect
in the left arm. Marbourg fell over and
almost instantly expired. Moore walked
to magistrates Office, surrendered him
self and was committed to Jail to wait the
action OF the authorities.
The deceased man, Marbourg, was one
of the old citizens of Johnstown, having
resided there for thirty years. He had
been engaged in the mercantile business
all his life, and had been very successful,
accommodating a considerable amount of
property in addition to his interest in the
store of which he was partner with his
brother. His residence was one of the
finest in Johnstown, adjoining the Presby-
terian church on Main street. He Was,
We think, member OF the Lutheran con-
gregation of the place, ceI tainly pew
holder, and pecuniarily one Of the "pill-
ars. ~ His wife is one of the most estima-
bic women and most accomplished ladies
-, III hot in, hnu
great affection she will have the sincere
sympathies of the entire community. She
is the mother of eight or nine children, the
Oldest being son of twenty years, who
served in one of the nine months regi-
ments. Mrs. Marbourg is native of Phil
adelphia.
Moore, the author of the tragic affair,
had been q resident of Johnstown for fif-
teen years. He is shoemaker by trade,
and during the major period of his resi-
dence in the borough had been the propri-
etor of one of the best boot and shoe stores
in the place. He was one of the leading
members of small congregation of Disci
Piles, or Oampbellite Baptists, and it was
mainly through his efforts that the vitality
of the congregation was maintained. He
was tie leading vocalist, and participated
in all the other devotional exercises. If
there existed taint upon his private char
acter, we never heard of it. He was per-
sonally popular with all classes, a perfect
gentleman in his dress and manners, and
was not without influence in the commu-
nifty. During the past few years, with the
exception of his brief term of service in
the army. he wss the auctioneer for Johns
town borough. His only child is promis-
ing boy of fifteen years.
Mrs. Moore, as has already been re-
marked, is a woman not wanting in per-
sonal charms. Ofla.e years her husband,
although attentive TO business, has not
been pecuniarily q well-doer, and it may