Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1883-05-29
THE MURDER CASE
That 10 all the Excitement at
Steubsnviils.
Alexander Myatt, the Prisoner, Tells a
Register Reporter the StoYof His
Domestic Troubles and Their
Tragic finding.


Ofall The crimes and misdemeanors that
have, of past years, stirred Steubenyil,e up,
none has created the general excitement
and interest that have resulted from the
Myatt- Bird tragedy, on Sunday morning.
A REGISTER reporter visited there yester-
day and found the murder the one topic OF
conversation everywhere. On Sunday an
effort was made to interview the prisoner,
but his counsel interposed and forbade it.
On yesterday, however, the reporter was
more successful and had
ALONG TALK WITH THE MURDERER
in which he poured out his domestic
troubles and the causes which led to the
fatal feud. In company with Messrs. n.
P. Hayes and JAS F. Daton, Myatts coun-
sci, the prisone was visited and the follow
ing CLEANED:
He said his name is Alexander Wyatt,
and he is a native OF England. He mar
ried his wife eighteen years ago, and she
bore him nine children, one OF whom IS
dead. He. came to America about two
years ago, settling near Mansfield: Ale
gheny county, Pa, where he worked IN
The coal mines. In January, 1852, the de-
ceased Birdl Who was stranger to Myatt,
came to Mansfield, and made application
to board with his family. Wyatt consented,
and supposed everything was all right
until last August, when Bird and his
(Myatt's) wife
CLAYDESTINELY DISAPPEARED
together, going no one knew whittier.
Shortly aiterward Myatt learned that they
were in Steubenyille, and went there In
search OF them. He wandered about the
streets for nearly a day and finally met
them face to face. He then begged his wife
in the presence Of Bird, 10 go home with
him, promising forgiveness, but she rtatly
refused. He then tried 10 reason with her
telling her 10 think OF her little chill
dren she had left behind, who
needed a mothers tender care; but his
words were 0 no avail. At this juncture
Bird interfe ed and assaulted Myatti the
. latter being , smaller man could not cope
with his aSS;.ilaut, and left them, return
ing to Mans .ield. Some time afterwards,
owing TO his inability 10 care for 50 many
of his little Children, he wrote the mother
and
IMPLORED HER
to take the four youngest. he TO retain the
remaining four. This she consented TO do
and he sent them.
The case then remained in this situation
until a few days prior to the tragedy, when
his eldest son received a letter from his
mother requesting him to pay her visit:
On receiving this letter the boy eXpresse
4 desire to come, and together with his
father took passage Sunday morning for
Steubenville 10 meet his mother and, if
possible, TO persuade her 10 return home
with them. When he arrived in that city
together with his son, they repaired to the
house where Bird and his wife were
living After conyersing some time
Myatt again renewed his request for her
to return to him, as she was not Birds
lawful wife. In talking to her he says he
put his hands on her shoulders
INA CAREssING MANNER,
when Bird, who was standing by, drew
Rack TO strike him Wyatt when the latter
drew a revolver and shot him in the
head.
Wyatt said he was 43 years OF age, al
though he looks to be co. being quite gray.
lie said he never before had any domestic
trouble, hayiSg always lived happily with
his wife and loved her. He never was a.
rested on any charge before in his life; was
a Protestant in religion, but belonged TO
no denomination. Wyatt seems very cool
/ about the matter, and eyinces a great love
to- his boy, Albert who is with him in
Jail.
In an interview with Probate Judge Cros-
Ky, the REGISTER reporter was Shown
THE MARRIAGE RECORD.
Of Messrs. Myatt and Bird. To secure the
license, Bird swOre the woman was single
and that her name was Miss Sarah Myatt
su unmarried woman. The couple were
married by Justice May on the 18th OF Au-
gust, the day the license was procured.