The New York herald., 1873-02-01
The Gall0ws on the Slope OF the
Rocky Mountains.
Execution Of Theodore MiearS for the
Murder Of George M. BOnacila.
HIS CRlME-CONFEssION.
s,eeuiug on the Body Of His Victims -stoical
Calmness Of the Culprit-A Prompt and
Painless Death-"Farewell, Men!
I'm Going to Another World"

I'm GOlnG 70 huVtuSI
DENyKR, Col, Jan. "a, 1879
The telegraph has already conveyed 10 the New
YORK HERALD information that aman has been
hanged here to-day, and hanged with legal hemp
On legal gallows, which is little curious, con-
slderlng the country and its customs. Some par
seulars OF the crime the criminal and the execution
may not be without interest, SO proceed to give
them though in q form somewhat condensed.
THE MURDERER
strangled to-day was Theodore Miears German.
He was born in Baden, August 15, 1s46, and came
70 America in 1859 with his widowed mother and
two sisters. They still live in Baltimore county,
MARYLAND Miears worked for o couple of years
On q farm in Maryland and in September,
1861, joined Troop b. First Maryland cavalry. Colo
mel Cole serving tine Shenandoah Valley till the
close OF the war. In 1867 he came West to Leaven-
worth and teamed for while in the Quartermas-
ser's Department. In 1869 he came to Colorado
and worked at various jobs, brickmaking, droving
and farming, until August 1871, when, on the I'd,
Ne hired as a hand on the ranch OF Mrs. Arabella
Newton at LttletOn twelve miles from this city.
krs Newton had been married TO man named
Predenhall, but after some auarrels and lawsuits
they separated, and she went 30 live with George
N. Bonacina who claimed to be her brother. On
with a revolver. killing him instantly, and fired
. charge Of small shot into Mrs. Newton's
breast, woundirg her seriously, but not mortally.
Miears at once attempted to escape to Pueblo, but
news OF the murder had been telegraphed before
him, and full description OF his person. as sus-
piCion had fastened on him. At WOodbury's,
while waiting for the stage from Denver, he lay
down to sleep. While doing the people quietly
took his pistol and knocked the caps of his shot
gun. In moment more the coach rolled up, and
the sleeper awakened to find himself disarmed
and prisoner, for Sheriff Cook was on the coach.
HIS TRIAL.
On the 5th, 9th and 7th OF February, 1872, Miears
was tried or murder, and the jury returned ver-
dict OF "Guilty,n declaring that the murder was
premeditaJed. new trial was moved for and
obtained, and a continuance, on account Of the
absence OF material witnesses, sent the case over
from April to October, 1872 The second trial COM
menced on the 2lst and concluded on
the 23d with verdict of "Guity" and
on the 3Oth December Judge Wells passed the SEN
tence, which was executed to-day. Throughout
Ms trials, though his face was haggard, his irame
emaciated, he bore up remarkably WELL rather
Petraylng Indifference than anxiety as to the
result After sentence had been pronounced his
counsel did all that man could do to obtain writ
Chief Justice ana the Acting Governor, refused to
Interfere.
HIS CONDUCT IN PRISON.
After sentence had been passed Mears main.
tained stolid Indifference as to his ia:e; he
chatted willingly and pleasantly with his visitors
and friends slept soundly and regularly and
showed no loss OF appetite. He read much and
smoked more.
HIS CONFESSION
Yesterday when Miears found that his last hope
was gone he sent for the representatives OF the
Sa 1at ne aSS% to make
In his cell, stretched o small pallet. The cell
was devoid Of any other furniture than tin
cigar and, settling himself comfortably on
ms elbow, made verbal statement OF
20 which was impaired a ghastly interest by the
surroundings OF the scene. After recting his his
tory up to the time he hired out to Mrs. Newton he
said that Bonacina took him into his confidence,
saying that people were down on him and Mrs.
Newton, and that his (Bonacina's) life was not sale
OF the ranch adding that threats of burning his
had just been cut the two men slept together on
the stacks. This continued for some six nights. On
Sunday, August Q, Bonacina brought back some
caps and powder from town and loaded his rife,
saying he expected the neighbors would try and
frst son OF a b. that went there after dark.
BOnacina this Sunday borrowed $25 from Meiars.
would give hundred dollar suit OF clothes to him
that
KILLED THE FIRST MAN THAT CAME LoAFING ROUND
She had pistol and Meiars shotgun and
revolver. On Tuesday Bonacina and Mears had
some words over the formers treatment Of horse
come to b.ws. On THURSDAY the T 10th % of % August
about halfpast eight p. NJ, when Bonacna and
neiars were arranging M I'll, their bed at the the grain
had loaned Bonacina, saying he did not want to
work there any longer, but would leave next day.
said he would pay him at once, and from where he
was lying reached for and cooked his rifie when
sae ared who hSS risen
his elbow, fell dead, trying to utter words which
were
which welled from two wounds in his breast The
murderer then took his gun and went to the house
70 kin Mrs. Newton lest she should give the alarm.
n ia wi "a IA
She came to the door and asked what was wrong.
He said, They are round" meaning the neigh
o0rs, who, 1t was expected would burn the grain,
and, levellng his gun at a distance OF fifteen
feet poured the contents into her breast The
snS n & rung @ the
influence Of liquor, returned to the stacks. He
could see Mrs. Newton moving about in her room
against the light. He rolled up the body OF his first
Victim IN the buffalo robes OF its bed threw some
bundles Of grain over 1t, moved his bed against 1t
and lay down and slept till morning,
PIILOwED ON A CORPSE.
Al dayoreak the sound OF wagon reused him,
AND ne 81 saw 0ne S nas Mr Newton called to the
dragged herself painfully away. Meiars went to
the house and ate something; then taking horse,
he rode away. First he intended to 20 to Carson
CITY and the mountains; then he changed his mind
and went towards Pueblo, selling the horse for
such was the story Of the murderer. who de.
clared that the quarrel arose about the borrowed
manning on the stack after shooting Mrs. Newton,
without killing her, were due to whiskey.
After making his confession the murderer was
measured for suit OF clothing, selecting himself
white shirt and black sack, vest and pantaloons.
When the clothes were brought he tried them on
and said they were Just the thing, adding:-
IL WON'T NEED ANOTHER SUIT IN A HURRY"
He conversed freely, as usual, saying he was
CORY for the murder, but that Others had
Killed and been hanged before him, and would XIII
and be hanged after him. so he felt that ne was not
the greatest Of criminals. He was glad Mrs. New
ton was alive. He had never been able to make out
what her relations with Bonacina were; as for him
SELF he had only conversed with her few times.
frat th at ha mn