Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1900-03-30
WAS II MURDER?
James Eisenlord Kills His
Brother-in-laW.
SELF DEFENSE
The Ground on Which He Will
to Justify the Decd
SELF DEFENSE
Defendants Previous Reputation Seems 10
Have Been Good


For the fourth time in two years we
are called upon TO record the violent
death OF human being at the hands
OF a fellow man. Sam Brownell and
his wife were acquitted Of the killing
of Henry Worden, Byron Parrish con-
fessed the murder OF Del Lloyd and
was sentenced TO fifteen years at lOnia,
bralnard Nelson now awaits trial tor
the murder OF his wife and Jas. Essen
lord, OF New Haven. is contiHed in
jail charged with the murder OF his
brother.in-law, Isaac Gabrion Jr., at
Jay Isham's saw mill, in Sumner
township, about eight o'clock, Men
day morning. The circumstances OF
the killing, as related hy Eisenlord in
his affidavit before Justice Clark, are
as follows:
SUMNER, Mich, March %, 1900.
James EiSenlord being duly sworn
disposes and says that the following
is true 10 the best Of his knowledge:
Came into Jay Isham's mill about
1870 o'clock on the morning OF March
%: am running the engine in said
mill. About eight O'Clock Isaac Cab
rion came into the engine room and
stood on the north side Of the fire
door. | stood on the south side OF
same door. Isaac Gabrion said, Has
y .-1 90" 0 .''N I'D
,rar 80 va t....,t u,itr Us0t
the river la.c .ai5, lin. | hear
that you have been telling some lies
.. ""Gct about
you?" Isaac said, THAT gou told over
To Ploughtield's that was monkeying
w:tk, the en-. n" James said, Did
you not move mat that way when you
run the engine?" Isaac said, Il put
it right where it belongs you c. d
stink: that is all that you are" James
said, Il am no more of a stink than
you are" Isaac stepped back as if
ne would pull of his coat. James
said, Isaac, do not want any trouble
with you" Isaac took the SCOOP off
the nail whore IN was hanging on the
north side OF the fire door, and made
for James. James backed OF about
eight feet and picked up an edging
about two feet long, one inch thick
and about one and One-half inches
wide. and struck him with it right
oe.on .4O -. $50. s.4-. 4oe..O
dropped the scoop aud James dropped
t.O odsiug Isaac took . firm hold OF
James by the hair on his forehead
with his left hand. James struck
Isaac twice in the face while he had
hold OF his hair. AS soon as Isaac let
iOOse OF James hair, he teii ~ the
around. James went toward the
house and met Jesse Culp and told
him that Isaac and he had little
trouble Jesse and James came right
down 20 TIC u..i. $40 iound Isaac
dead, or nearly 50
Signed by
JAMES w. EIsENLoRD.
Subscribed and sworn TO before me,
Chas. Clark, JusUiCe vi Tie Peace ia
and for the township OF Sumner.
CUAs. CLARK.
Justice Of the Peace.
Witnessed Nv
" = DrrrrVC
IRA O HUNT
:. corOner's jury was impcnncllcd
by Justice LIdrA Who, after iuyestiga-
ton, returned the following verdict
County or Gratlot, SIS. An inquisI-
JIUE LdKCD al The residence OF Jdy
Isham, in said county,, on the 10Th
day or Marcn, 1900, before Cnas. Clark,
one OF the Justices OF the Peace OF
80 Cd cc.---...s;', 20. :hc TiSw q thc
body Of Isaac Gabrion. there lying
dead, by the oaths OF the jurors whose
names are hereto subscribed, who be-
ing duly sworn TO inquire in behalf OF
Ihe p-oy,O Oi this state "Loh and In
Hndu manner and - what ule1Gs Une
said Isaac Gahrion came TO his death,
upon their oaths do say:
We, the undersigned jurors, do here.
By make oath that We have examined
'hs dead body ~ Isaac Gab-ion and
heard the testimony on the case and
have arrived at the decision that said
isaac UanriOn csuIe 10 his dTdDn ny u
blow belo,. the left ear by CLUB in
the hands OF one Jas. Eisenlord.
IRA q HUNT
VIM. MCFAUL.
GEO. KIRBY
DANiEL ". DOW Els.
THOMAS VIM.
NJ. j. DINGMAN.
CHAs. CLARK,
Justice OF the Peace.
Later, Prosecutor Mccall. and Sheriff
Mccullough were notified and Eisen
/ lOId was arrested anu bought 10 Ith
AGA.
The sympathy is largely with Eisen-
lord because Of his previous good rep
utation. Gabrion, too, was man OF
good reputation. They were brother
in-laws, having married daughters OF
David Ploughfeld. Some iii feeling
had existed between Eisenlord and
Gabrion in regard To the preference
which they thought was shown fol
one or The other at their wives par
ents', but 1t was not supposed TO be o.
a serious nature.