Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-05-18
On the Second Act of McKeesport's
Great Romance of Crime.
MYERS TO BE TRIED FOR HIS LIFE.
he Breaks Down During the Inquest and
Calls for Water.
MISsJONEs ADDS A THRILLING CHAPTER

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were anxious spectators. 1t seemed as Il
every person who possibly could get there
was out on the streets.
The inquest held by Coroner Mcdowell
while it did not bring out all the testimony
shed sufficient light to enable the jury tc
hold James Edward Myers for court, on
charge of numbering his aunt, Miss Eliza.
beth Douglass. The desperate attempts
made by the defense to get the young man
out of the clutches of the law were evil
denced by missing witnesses; one had
changed her statement since the day before,
while still another was so scared that she
feared even to return home.
The prisoner, though calm and dignifed,
broke down once, when the clothes of his
dead aunt, with the tell-tale bullet holes in
them were shown in evidence. He then
asked for glass of water. and was much
overcome. At other times his face twitched
nervously, and whenever some statement
was made that argued against his innocence
he would grind his teeth hard together, until
the veins stood out on his forehead.
THE INQUEST BEGUN.
At 2:30 the inquest was commenced, in
the magnificent Council chamber in the Nc
Keesport town hall. Coroner Heber Nc
Dowell sat as judge. On his right
was the prisoner, in charge of County
Detective Beltzhoover and Detective
Gilkinson. On the left we're the jurors, and
the auditorium was crowded with witnesses
and some of the immediate friends OF the ac-
cused young man. The people would have
crowded in, but were held back by the
police. Though shut out, they remained in
q body in front OF the town hall, and waited
there four long hours for the verdict. The
attorneys for Myers were also present. They
are John s. Robb, Newlin Brothers and W.
A. Challoner.
w. L. Douglass was the first witness He
NAs cousin of Miss Margaret Douglass
He had also helped to fight the Douglass
will case for them, by which they secured
their fortunes. His cousin was 81 years old.
He had not visited her for five years. He
could not tell how much the estate was
worth, and did not know much about his
cousins history.
Mrs. Emma Beck was then called. On
her the Coroner had depended for some
startling evidence, but he was disappointed.
On Friday she had said to man that fights
had been numerous between Miss Douglass
and James Myers. She had also said that
Eddie, as Myers was called, had carried out
hls threat. The man to whom this was
told was subpensed as a witness, but yes
terdsy could not be found. When Mrs.
Beck gave her testimony she said she never
heard of any trouble, and never heard
james Myers make any threats. She was
frequent visitor at the house. She was
there when the body was examined by DR..
Virgins. james Myers had said to her
that he had lost his all. She said he wept
bitterly, and then he had gone to see an un-
dertaker. When further questioned she
stated that there never was but one revolver
in the house, although on Friday she stated
there were several. She also said she had
seen Miss Douglass milking in the morn.
ing at her home, but later said she could
not see the house because the trees were too
thick.
FIRST AT THE SCENE.
She was followed by Mrs. Mary Esen-
berg, the woman who was first on the scene
Of the murder. She had seen James Myers
drive home shortly after II o'clock. 1t
would not take more than two minutes to
drive from her house to the home of Miss
Douglass. 1t was about halt an hour later
when he came and told her his aunt was
dead.
Here the prisoner began to get nervous,
but the woman continued: "When got
there the wagon was still standing in front
of the house. 1t was in such O position
that person sitting in ii could not help
but see where the dead woman was lying.
1 got the body into bed, and while carry
ing her I saw some blood, but did not say
anything until after the doctor arrived. 1
allowed the nephew and Constable Piper to
decide that she died Of heart disease"
She then described the examination of
the body and the subsequ revelations.
Then the clothes were shown her and she
identified them.
Ali this time Myers was becoming more
nervous, and as the witness pointed out the
and sinking back In his chair, called for
water.
Mrs. Eisenberg also stated that during
this time Myers did not appear affected, and
had 10 be brought from the stable every
time he was wanted.
Mrs. A. II. Nelson, who lives about 200
yards from The Douglass residence, said she
had seen two men walking past her house
from the direction OF The Douglass house,
shortly after ~ o'clock on Thursday. She
did not know either OF thsm. She had not
heard any shot fired,
u. EiHenberg and Miss LlsEls Elssnberg
both gave eorroborAtlys testimony, The
latter said Myers did not send Tor i doctor
until alter the request had been made ssv.
erai times
BuZz or ExoITEMRhT.
10 far the Inquest had been ordinarily
quiet but there was stir Of excitement
when the name OF Miss Nellie Jones was
called, and sweet-iaoed little girl OF II
years walked Inside tho railing, Ahe was
plainly afraid 10 look At the prisoner, and
trembled all over Every now and then she
would hesitate, and wild, scared look
would come Into her eyes On the assur-
anee OF protection by Coroner Mcdowell she
proceeded 10 tell her tale, but even then half
Of her terrible story was withheld, to be
given later In court.
II was q domestic In Miss Douglass
house." she said, "and ] left there about
two months ago. MY home is at Irwin
station. lived with Miss Douglass all last
summer. There was man named Lyman
Mock roomed there, and Miss Douglass,
James Myers and myself were the only
other occu pants Of the house. There were
numerous fights there. Miss Douglass
fought both with me and with Eddie. The
two often fought. She would get angry
with him for the way he spent money. He
went with girls she did not want him 10 be
with. He would buy presents for girls, and
that would make her angry. Once / saw
him bit her with his fist. On another
occasion saw him throw O chair at her.
This time they were fighting over some
money, -
zone Sunday she came running home
from church. She said Eddie had chased
her on the hill, and had shot at her. There
were three reyolvers In the house. Two Of
them were big ones, and the other was
small. Eddie generally carried one of the
big ones. also saw him throw stones at
his aunt last summer.
WHEN LAST SEEN.
tNTha laat TINA L saw Misa Dau nlaaa % aha