, 1873-01-29
DENVER.
Execution Of Theodore Meters for
Murder.
The Extreme Penalty of the Law
---Scenes at the Ga11ows.

Correspondence Of The Chicago Tribune.
( DENVER, Col, Jan. a, 1873.
This afternoon, at 9 o'clock, Theodore Meier
was hung by tho neck, in our usually quiet city
! TIE DETAILS. OF THE cRmE
for which Meters suffered to-day ire briefly a,
fo11ows: On the 10th day of August, 1871, som,
miles aouth Of Denver, Meiers shot and instant1,
| killed 3 man named George II. Bonacins, ani
| attempted to take tho life Of Bonacina's re-
puted sister. The shot not taking effect, slt
escaped, and gave the alarm, which soon caused
Meires' arrest near Colorado Spsings where he
WAS waiting for q coach to Pueblo. nIeiers,
at the time OF the murder, wns working for the
deceased, who. it seems, had borrowed some
money Of him, which, on the evening OF the
murder, Meiers demanded. The deceased
refusing to pay, some words arose, when
the deceased reached for his gun,-
Metres, at the same instant.. shooting
him twice, either OF which wounds would have
caused INN mediato death. He then went to the
house, taking the shotgun with him, and, call
ing to the sister OF tho deceased shot her as she
appeared in the door after which he went to
the barn, Whero he remained a few minutes,
then returned to tho house, and, looking in .
window, saw his Intended victim moving around
ia the room. He then returned to where he had
killed Bonacina, and carefully covered him up
with sevoral blankets and some straw. Arrane-
ing himself, he coolly laid down by tho aido OF
his victim, where he shys he alept soundly until
passing, and heard Mrs. Newman Qhe deceased
mans siHte) calling from the house to the
driver, communicating the Circumstance Of the
tragedy to him. The telegraph was put into
service, a.d TIC {ollowing d.;y, Sheriff Cook, Of
resting him, as before stated.
: : Yesterday, losing ali hope Of = reprieve,
Me;ers
MADE CONFESSION
OF bis crimes- He had two trials, in both OF
which he was sentenced to die on the gallovs
His counsel took the case to the Supreme Court,
but without avail. Throughout yesterday the
prisoner preserved his atolid demeanor, no bur-
den appearing to rest upon his soul. Ho fully
regretted the deed when reminded Of it's great
enormity, but it seemed to him to bo tho pass-
port to better world, which he hoped soon to
reach. He calmly smoked his cigar, and was in
onre1aatlon with lis clergyman the greater part
of the day. He spoke Of bis approaching death,
es sRa s.d aaa sfs' dc hspP @Ps L ss III csos
faith, feeling that will soon be in Heaven"
Ho talked Of death as though it was not the
King Of Terrors- This morning, be told the
Sheriff that it was Of no use to 50 to the cx-
RssiS sss ssswP e PtsdE be S'R e Wiz t. @k' Inn
About o'clock this d. m., the instrument Of
death was placed In poaition, short distance "
north Of the city, in the bottom Of the Plato
River. and, by ID o'clock, everything waa ready.
TIE PROCESSION.
About o'clock, the Denver Scouts we're seen
dismounting at tho Sheriff a office. whence they
marched to the jail. bfeiors 1sas led ont to the
procession. EntaEiug close carriage. with tho
Sheriff, his Deputy. eod two priests. they rodo to
the gallo3a, escorted by tho Denver Scouts aud
several policemen. About 10000 men, women.
and children assembled at tho place OF c7ecu-
tion. Many carriages, 'busos, and Wagons, all
loaded with human freight, surrounded tho i'm
menee crowd. The carriage containing Meers
passed through tho multitude, and into the in
closure, and Meiers WAS conducted to tho scat
fold. His appearance wss that OF man who
uas determined to brave it to the end. He |
coughed alghtly once or twice, and stood on tho
drop straight Is IN arrow, perfectly quiet, aud !
facing the large nasemblage. While tho Sheriff |
;iod his hands and feet, the priests {
uttered their prayers. There were no signs !
II emotion on the faco Of tho doomed /
INN, except = haggard look, caused by !
ong confinement. The rope Vas adjusted about
lis mock, and the cap WAS about to be placed !
,ver bis head, when he smiled upon the audience
md said, Farewell, friends; I am going into
mother world" Tho cap WAS then adjusted,
md the gallows cleared. Sheriff Cook pulled tho
lrop, and the victim, with heavy "thud,"
WAS LAUNCHED INTO ETERxETy.
Eighteen minutes after the victim dropped, ho !.
yaa cut down, and placed in coffin. Tie crowd
Gspezsed, with the general feeling that justice
Faa carried out for The fourth time sinco the
organization Of Colorado. SSrrT.