The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1870-03-17
THE GALLONS.
Particulars OF the Double Execution
at Hunting dom.

tCWD were lnTonSeQ Win CItiGeuS anu seIdu-
gers from distance. vending their way to
the precincts of the prison to witness the ex-
ecution. Over two hundred cards had been
issued by Sheriff Neeley. and the limited
space occupied by the iail aud yard was soon
crowded to excess.
Yesterday Bonner read considerable and
conversed somewhat freely, but manifested
no signs of repentance. Bodenburg wrote
in the German language during the day
petition, addressed to Buhner, in which he
admitted that be had accompanied the latter
for the purpose of robhing the Peightals. but
denied most vehemently that he participated
in the murder, and called on Bohuer in the
most solemn manner to tell what he claimed
to be the truth and save him (Bodenberg)
from the terrible doom which awaited him.
ANOTHER confession.
About o'clock last night Bohner deliv-
cred to Deputy Sheriff Fouse the following
document. and which purports to be his last
and only true confession, an is entitled
AN oPEN CONFESSION TO COB AND THE PEOPLE.
On the 18th of November, IS69, we went on
the railroad to Huntingdon, where we got off
and went to the place where the deed WAS done.
Bodenberg said that the farmer had gold and
silver, and then | believed what he had said to
Mrs. Gable in Altoona. before knew him. that
v
(Thls lady was here rs witness in court and
her story was believed.) l found'out last spring.
when | was in the same boarding house with
him, that the farmer had gold and silver He
said to me that he waited to steal il all from
him. He worked as a cabinet maker in the
round house in Altoona, and made for himself
a large knife for that purpose. We went to the
place TO steal the fist time one month before
but could not do anything, and went away
again to Altoona. | went to work again and he
went to a man that had Il daughter and spent
his time with her lie had no money and no
work. This knife that he had he threw into
the canal at Huntingdon, when we were there
the first time. He made this girl great promi-
ses OF much money, which brought him to the
thought of murder. We to the farm and
slept on Tuesday nj ght in the house. My pis
tol laid ont on the window according To his
orders, and he said he would get up ia the night,
but we were very tired and slept till daylight
We stad in the neighborhood that day, and he
told me how he would make it-that he want
ell my pistol and his, one in each hand, and
would demand the money. We both went into
the house where they were eating per, and
held the door shut, so they could not slip out
He spoke in English what he wanted, and the
farmer and his vile spoke in English TO him.
which | did not understand, because | could
not do it myself He demanded the money
because | could not speak English. only lit
tie. After quarreiing awhile the wife got up
and the man nlso, and he shot the farmer with
the pistol in the right hand and the woman
with the pistol in the left. The man fell to
The floor, but the woman did not fall She
picked up the coal shovel and came towards
me where | was still standing at the door and
struck at me, and fell at the same time to the
floor. Bodeuberg again loaded his pistols and
shot the little boy dead. He shot twice 1T him
far as | know. He then loaded again. and
shot the farmer once more. and gave me the
empty pistol which was my own in the mean
time hit the farmers wife with the coal shoy-
el. as she still was not dead. We then went
ilto the bedroom and broke open the bureau
and chest th an axe, ard found geld and sill
yer and S25O in paper money, and divided it
equally. he amount of gold and silver do
not know. We divided it, but did not coun:
IT, put mine in bag and stuck ii in pair
OF pants which was lying on the bed, and wrap
PED It IN black cloth. He also took a cloth
and overcoat, and boots, and then we went out
into the horse stable. where lie wanted to get
on horse, TO which | di not agree. We then
came to quarrel, au! he threatened to shoot
me, and pulled out his pistol, and pulled out
mine which was not loaded, but still in the
50 me condition lie gave il to me. soon load
ed it and told him let Us 20. He saws not
vet; we will frat barn the house down 30 that
the people will think that thev were burned
We took n bundle OF straw, and | went in and
land 1t IN the room. put bed clothes to it, and
he put the fire to it while ] was watching At
the window. After this we went away towards
the raiiroad. and he said on the road that he
wanted to visit good friend a few days and
wanted to present him the pistol, and asked
whether | would not give him mine. told
him If he would give me 81 what il cost ]
would, and he gave me the 81 in silver. | did
not tIu7t him right, and shot it off first, and
asked him to shoot off his too. We came bv
this time 20 Huntingdon and stand here till the
train arrived going towards A toona What
became OF these pistols cannot saw. He never
told me. rue ii now that | went along but
It is too late. Then | had no reason for it,
de here in the Jail took up his religion again.
and t. ok this ground before the world to make
himself free, but it did not save him from
death. was steadtast in my belief. and can
not charge like him. l believe in God and
eternity, and do not like when others want 10
tell me out of the church. A great many be
ileve that i never went to school If | were
bad man ! could still turn and be good
man, $50 could every man.) However, each
one can think as he pleases of me | have
given myself to God, and expect His mercy
alter have outliyed my trouble. Neither of
US is innocent of the death penalty This is
the correct and the whole truth. This speak
before God, when | come to the footstooI of
mercy and throw myself upon Him who ia nv
stand BY, and this is the reason am ready to
leave this world. | wish all well vixen ]
leave, after / have lived 40 years
ours truly, GoTLEIB VAN BouNER.
THE PRISONERS LAST NIGHT.
During yesterday and the greater part of
last night some one of the ministers of the
different churches of the town conve1sed and
prayed with the condemned men, and en-
deavcred to bring them to a more perfect
Knowledge Of their situation. Bodenbere
slept but little, and at different times durng
the night was heard to groan and pray in
German. Bohner observed his usual stnical
demeanor to ali who came near him, but he
too. frequently gave evidence of the unset
tied condition OF his mind. 1t was reported
that he had expressed desire to be execu-
ted before II o'clock, so that he might have
his dinner in h.
The prisoners were vigilantly guarded
during the night. and Behner frequently in
quired for pen that he might write some
thing. As no quilts were at hand. and it
was feared that he might commit snici1s bo