The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1883-05-29
THE OTHER SIDE
OF, THE sTEusENvlLLE TRAGEDY.
Hyatt, IL. 1urd.r.r, Ia..r,l.W.d BY an "I.t.llI.
ssnesr" R,portsr-s.W Light rhrOWa % ths
Crins-ChanEsia the Feeling otths Pee.
ple-aAtars ofHyat.I Grievances.

The feeling in Steubenville over the hor-
rible tragedy Of last Sunday does not grow
less, but Is rather on the increase. The
first accounts sent out showed the prisoner
II a very unenviable light. The yersi.n oi
the affair as given by the prisoner is dia-
metrically opposed to that OF his wife.
Yesterday an IsTELIIGEscER reporter viz
tied the prisoner and through the courtesy
Of his attorneys, was permitted to take his
statement for publication.
Myatt says he was married to his wife
in England some eighteen years ago. About
three years since he came to this country,
settling at Mansfield, Pa, where he fol-
lowed his avocation as miner. One year
ago last January Bird, who was also q
miner, and with whose antecedehts he was
unacquainted, entered his family as q
boarder. For some time the family Affairs
ran smoothly as they had been wont to do
for numerous years. But At last Ayatt
became suspicious, and q little inyestiga-
tion served to convince him that Bird was
unduly intimate with his wife. Myatt
demonstrated, but to no purpose, both Bird
and Mrs, Myatt informing the husband
that they could not live apart.
THE FLIGHT. ga .
In August last Bird and Mrs. Myatt sud
denly and clandestinely disappeared, TAX.
ing with them four children and small
box OF personal belongings. A few days
search revealed the fact that the guilty pair
had gone to Steubenville, o. Myatt tol-
lowed them, finding them after;neariyla q
days search. Bird and his fellow com.
panion again refused to part, Bird assault
Ing him. Myatt returned TO Pennsylvania.
The records OF the Probate Court show tnat
on August 10, 1882, John Bird took out a.
license to marry Miss Sarah Myatt. Bird,
not being able 10 write, made his mark In
signing The oath. The return shows that
on the same day they were mar.
ried by Justice May Following
his return to Mansfield Myatt
sent the three youngest children to Steu.
benville, as he was unable 70 care Tor them
on account OF their tender years. When
the son last week determined TO come to
Ohio the fatLer also concluded to come
and again endeavor to induce his wife TO
return. Arriving at the home Of Bird,
Myatt made his request, but received the
same answer he had On the former occas'
ions OF making a similar request. Myatt
says that at this point he became greatly
enraged and laid his hand upon his wife's
shoulder, but in tender way, his anger
being towards Bird. Bird offered TO knock.
Myatt down, whereupon he shot him, as is
already known. Wyatt says he is the
father OF nine children, one OF whom is
dead. There never had been any trouble
in the family until Bird came.
HYATEs aRIFR. y s. =.
Myatt is man Of medium size, has
a good face, is about iorty.three years Of
age, and looks like anything but villain.
He gives way frequently to tears, and
through all laments the loss ,of bis wife's
love, and Mrs. Myatt is prostrated with
grief, but seems to be against her husband.
The eldest son, d mild hammered, fair com.
plexioned boy, possessing q good counten.
ance, is greatly distressed. He corrobo'
rates his fathers story in nearly every par.
ticular. At present the tide Of popular,
feeling seems TO be setting in towards
Myatt. He is plainly but neatly dressed in
cheap clothes; his hands bear the imprins
OF toll, and while an uneducated man, he
is evidently possessed Of considerable judsSs
ment. He espeaks with emotion Of the tirst
happy years Of his married life, and is
greatly attached to his family. T..