The New York herald., 1879-10-05
BALBO IN THE TOMBS.

HE ADMITS KILLING HIS WIFE, BUT CLAIMS
THAT SHE WAS UNFAITHFUL AND HAD A
QUARRELsoME DISPOSITION
Pietro Balbo. whose arrest in Wheeling. w. Va.
the charge OF numbering his wife in this city on
Thursday last was recorded in yesterdays HERALD.
was placed in charge of Warden Finn. of the Tombs
Prison. yesterday. by Captain Petty and Detective
Cam, of the Fourth precinct. When the murder
was discovered suspicion fixed on Balbo. who was
missing. The story Of his discovery and capture
is as follows:--Thirteen hours elapsed between
the commttal of the crime and its detection by the
police. In the meanwhile the murderer had enjoyed
ample opportunity to escape There were no clews
to work on. As soon suspicion fell ON Babo an
accurate description of him obtained and tele-
graphed throughout the country. Late on Thursday
evening word reached Captain Petty that an Italian
answering the description. at haf-past two o'clock
the morning previous was seen at the New Jersey
Central Railroad depot. Detectives Carr and Star
bora were sent to work mp the matter. The watch
man at the depot confirmed the story and stated
that the italian had bought ticket tor
Easton, Pa. and left for that town the
twenty minutes to seven o'clock train that morning
The detectives followed upon the trail and learned
ut Easton that the Italian had been there and was
gone. Then they followed HIM to Wheeling. w. Va,
where Friday afternoon they caught. sight or
their man conversng with acountryman of his. They
u
slipped q pair Of handouts his wrists He was too
astonished 10 offer resistance. When placed in
q cell ne admitted the crime and said he would ac-
company his captors to this city The three arrived
yesterday morning.
BALBo INTERVIEWED. .t4
Yesterday afternoon Warden Finn accompanied .
HERALD reporter to Balbo's cell. The man was
doing on his pallet. When his name was called he
came to the grsting with q rag wrapped around his
left thumb. ME want to see the doctor, he said.
Finger very SORE. He is Of medium height. slight
in stature with black hair. dark eyes and an inte
II want to talk about you and your wife" said
the reporter.
"AIe kill him." he said me twenty.four year
old" Him twenty-three. HIM very pretty. Oh.
yes. very pretty
..why did you kill herr"
Him makee much trouble he answered.
''Finger very sore" showing the wound on his
thumb. "Him bitee me- Him scratchee me face all
over" and he pointed to several scars on his coun-
tenance Him have fellow. Me no Hkee that. Me
speakee to him. Him " him have right to have
fellow" NH4 iaK
'But about last Wednesday; when did you kill
her?'
"Me killee him twelve O'Clock night. Come home
- Say white good for him. Him then
bitee finger and me killee."
.'What business you in r. -ieit, e1ttt4r
s'Me makee cement for bridge"
He stated that he had been in this country about
two years. While at work the 'L' road he fire.
to keep away from her. His story is that his
wife passed much Of her time in the
other mans society while he was at work
Her constant quarrels with him when he renon-
strated with her, her habit Of biting and scratching
him. her abusive language and her love for the ''fe
low" were his reasons for killing her. He did not
seem to thiuk he to blame, and his greatest So
hcitude was for the doctor to dress his thumb.