Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1883-06-12
HIS OWN ExECUTIoNER
Sad Sequel to the StsubsnviIls
Tragedy.
MYETT HANGS HIMSELF IN HIS CELL.
Two Lives BlOtted 0ut through the Agency
Of an UnfaithfuI Wife's Crime-She
Expresses No Regret at Her
Husbands Death.
Speeial Dispateh 70 the Reais,er.


SrEUBENyILLE, o., June l1.-Hardly had
the excitement, resulting from the murder
Of John Bird, by Alex. Wyatt, on last Sun
day two weeks, in this city, died away,
until our citizens were again startled by
the announcement this morning, that the
murderer had proved bis own executioner,
and hanged himself in the county Jail some
time after midnight.
1t is the custom to lock the prisoners in
their cells at half past o'clock in the
evenings and last evening when the turn
key notified them to yacate the corridors
and step into their cells, Alex. Wyatt, un-
der indictment for the
Murder of Bird,
was among the number who obeyed the
command.
This morning at o'clock Deputy Sheriff
Ben Sharp went into the Jail for the pur-
pose OF unlocking the cell doors to give
breakfast TO the inmates As he approach.
ed Myatt'S cell and Deered through the
iron bars a CHASTITY sight met his view.
There, hanging by the neck, stark dead,
was the man who but few weeks before
sent the destroyer of his own peace into
eternity. The body was cold and stiff, and
showed that the deco had been committed
some hours before the discovery. Myatt
had torn up his bedSheet into strips and
woven them into rope. This rope he at
taChed 20 the bars over the door of his
cell. Ii Is then supposed he placed the
Moose Around His Neck
and standing on his bed jumped of, meet.
ing death from StrangUlatiOn.
Soon after the discovery the Coroner was
notified of the suicide. and held an inquest.
\ prisoner who was confined in the cell
adjoining Myatt's, stated that Myatt had
complained OF being nervous all day Sun
day. Last night about II o'clock Myatt
called 10 him and complained that he could
not sleep, and appeared to be in great
mental distress. Shortly after this the
pri SOner heard a voice in Myatts cell as
If something had fell over on
the floor, and then all was
Quiet as Death.
Shortly after this he the pTisoner) fell
asleep and knew nothing further until this
morning. when he saw Myatt hanging by
mony given by Deputy Sharp, is all the
coroner had, and the body was cut down.
The features were distorted somewhat,
showing that his death, from strangula-
tion, had been a painful one. After the
body had been taken out the cell was
searched by the Coroner and the last letter
of the dead man to his erring wife was
iOuUd. II is as follows:
His Last Letter.
My Dear Sarah:
| loved you better than any
woman in the world, ii you was wicked TO
me. Bui have forgiven and have prayed
God 10 forgive you. Please do not forsake
the dear children. Arthur, lmeaniug his
son stick Ia your mother and write to
your Uncle Arthur for money TO help
you. ALENANDEE MNATT:
This was the only thing found and had
evidently been written yesterday evening.
Three of Myatt's children
visited him in the Jail Sunday, and re-
NAMED with him nearly the entire after
noon. He treated them very tenderly, tell
ing them to be good children and help their
mother. The parting was very touching.
Myatt kissing his children over and over
again. His conduct ever since his i'm
priSOnment has been such as to show that
his heart was full of love for his family.
His Wife
has never visited him since his inCarCera-
ton, and yesterday while the children
were with their father the faithless wife
was out ct the cemetery decorating John
Birds grave with flowers.
Myatt's conduct of late had not been dit-
ferent from when he first entered the Jail,
hut ON one occasion he told fellow pris-
Oner he would rather hang than go to the
penitentiary. Other than this he never in
timated any intention OF taking his own
life.
The Circumstances Ofth Crime
are no doubt fresh in the minds OF your
readers. and We will only give 1t passing
notice. Myatt and his wife lived at Mans
field, Pa, and John Bird boarded with
re
eloped. coming to this city, and were
shortly afterward married although she
was still Myatts lawful wife. The latter
came to Steubenyille and on Bird refusing
10 give up the woman Myatt shot him, kill
ing him instantly.
Myatt's Trial
was to have begun next week before Judge
HanCe, Messrs. Daton ana Hays being his
attorneys, and the dread OF going TO the
penitentiary, as he was only indicted for
murder in the second degree, doubtless
drove him 10 take his own life.
Mrs Myatt on being notified OF the SUI
eide expressed no sorrow. but on the other
hand absolutely refused to see the body OF
her husband. saying she had seen enough
OF him in life.
The Children Viewed the Remains
OF their father and all wept bitterly, es-
pscally Arthur, the eldeSt.
The body was encased in a respectable
| colin. end the funeral took place TINS
evening. the interment taking place IN
! niOu Cemetery.
Public opinion is greatly against the
woman in the case, and she IS denounced
on all sides rs every act oil Myatt since
the murder has shown him to be man
who loved his family, but who was driven
to todesperation and death by his wiLe.s
crime
And thus ends the sequel to the tragedy
Of two weeks ago.