Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-07-17
WITH COLD LEAD.
A SHOCKING SUICIDE At MARTINS YERRY
YESTERDAY.
Isaac 7. Carpenter, Former Well Known
Wheeling OitizsD, Empdss the Contents
Of Gun Into Els Read.

A shocking suicide occurred at Mar
tins Ferry yesterday morning in the
Third ward, and Isaac T. Carpenter, a
well-known citizen of that place, was
the victim. Mr.. Carpenter had been
suffering from Brights disease of the
kidneys for more than year, but about
a month ago he seemed much better
and was able TO be out and down town
attending to some business matters
which he seemed very anxious to settle
up, stating to several of his friends at
the time that he did not expect to live a
great while longer, but no attention
was paid to his remarks, as he was in
the habit as talking in an off-hand man
ner when among friends. Three weeks
ago his old trouble returned and
with it dropsy and nervous asthma,
which prevented him from lying down
or eating with any comfort, and his
sufferings have been almost uubearable
for the last ten days.
Wednesday evening he was unusually
bad and spent very restless night. His
sons, Alonzo and Finley, spent the night
with him taking turns assisting his wife
in the care OF their father. About 4
o'clock Mrs. Carpenter laid down TO take
rest leaving Finley to watch his
father. He stepped out for minute
and during his absence his father
walked into the next room, where an old
army muSket loaded with shot stood in
the corner
He seized the gun and placed the muz-
zle Immediately under his chin, pushed
the hammer back with his foot, dis
charging the contents into his head. the
shot lodging near the base Of the brain,
killing him instantly. A hole about the
size of a silver half dollar was torn in
the neck, and the face was blackened
with powder.
The son entered the house immedi-
ately after the shot was fired and found
his wife at the side of the pros
trate man, but life was extinct. DR..
Shuttleworth was set for, but Carpenter
was beyond physical aid. Coroner Boyd
was sent for and arrived from Bellaire
on an early train, and after reviewing
the body and hearing the evidence, he
rendered verdict that the deceased
came to his death by gun shot wound
inflicted by himself.
Mr.. Carpenter was well known in this
community, having lived nearly all
his life here and in Wheeling being at
one time a member of the Wheeling fire
department, as also Of the City Council
Of Wheeling.
He was kind as man, of indomitable
pluck and was at one time Colonel OF a
regiment of Ohio militia. He was also
a prominent Democrat, and was one the
leading spirits at all such political gath
erings. He was warm-hearted man,
and would go as far as any man living
to help a friend no matter what his pol
itics were. He was an honest, hard
working man, and in former years took
an active interest in the building up OF
the town.
Carpenter was an oldtime boat
builder and contractor, and at one time
was part owner OF cooper shop in
North Wheeling. He did most of the
heavy woodwork on the terminal rail
road in Martins Ferry. He was sew
enty years of age. and leaves family
of five sons and one daughter. Eugene
and Alonzo live in Martins Ferry, Finn
in Wheeling, and Harry, Curtis and the
daughter in Pittsburg, all being mar
ried. The funeral will occur tomorrow
morning at 10 o'clock.