ON THE TRACK OF THE ASSASSIN--A VISIT TO THE SCENE OF THE TRAGEDY--THE
BODY OF BONACINA FOUND--SHOT WHILE SLEEPING--MEYERS' NATURALIZATION
PAPERS REVEAL HIS NAME AND HIS PROBABLE COURSE OF FLIGHT--OFF FOR
PUEBLO ON A STOLEN HORSE--GEN. COOK'S PURSUIT AND CAPTURE OF THE
FUGITIVE--A CONFESSION IN THE DENVER JAIL.
Chief Cook decided immediately upon the apprehension of the murderer.
Accordingly, immediately after hearing the wounded woman's story, he
started out to the ranch on the Platte, accompanied by Frank Smith. The
only clue the officers had as to the identity of the murderer was his
first name, which the woman had given them. After a thorough search about
the house, the floor of which was covered with blood, the officers found
the German's naturalization papers, and then for the first time learned
his full name, which was Theodore Meyers. From these papers they learned
further that he had been naturalized at Pueblo, Judge Bradford having
signed the papers. From this fact they concluded that he must have resided
at Pueblo for some time, and that he must have friends there, and hence
decided that to be the point towards which he most probably would turn his
face in his flight.
The officers were astonished to find that of all the nearest neighbors,
only Lyman's family had the slightest cognizance of the dreadful tragedy.
The people of the vicinity, some of whom were harvesting close by, when
informed through the officers of what had happened, evinced their
astonishment in utter speechlessness.
The officers instituted a diligent search of the entire premises. The bed
in Mrs. Newton's room had absorbed pools of blood, and upon the door
panels, staring at them in vivid outlines, were the impressions in blood
of the woman's clutching hand. Near the wheat stack, where Bonacina and
Meyers had lain, they found a collection of robes, and close by, under
some sheaves of oats, and snugly wrapped in robes, was the body of the
murdered man. From the position and nature of things, and from the
attending circumstances, it was concluded that Meyers must have sat
upright in bed, reached forward and placed the muzzle of his piece against
Bonacina's temple, and finished his victim while he lay asleep. The body
was elsewhere perforated by two bullets.
It was also discovered that a horse was missing from the pasture, and that
a saddle and bridle were gone. Hence it was concluded that Meyers, who was
nowhere to be found, had stolen these articles and disappeared on
horseback.
With this theory fixed in his mind, Gen. Cook returned to Denver, and
prepared to take the coach out that evening in pursuit of his man--for, be
it known, the Rio Grande railroad was in those days a railroad on paper
only, and travel to the southward was done either in private conveyances
or on the stage coaches.
Gen. Cook went out alone, having confidence in his ability to cope with
Meyers, should he overtake him, notwithstanding that individual was a
young man weighing two hundred pounds, and a desperado, as had been shown
by his recent acts. He, of course, went well armed, carrying a pair of
revolvers and a derringer with him, for he felt that the chances were that
the man would make a desperate fight if he should not succeed in getting
the drop on him in making the arrest. He argued that the man who would
shoot down a defenseless man and woman, as Meyers had done, must expect to
be pursued; that he must expect to be severely dealt with if caught, and
that for these reasons he would resist to the last if come up with by an
officer.
The trip south was almost devoid of incident. The fugitive had a day's
start of the officer, but the latter had not been long on the road before
he began to pick up information as to the course the man had taken.
Several persons had seen him riding along, and readily recognized him from
the description which Cook furnished.
The tragedy had occurred on Thursday night, Meyers leaving on Friday
morning and Gen. Cook following Saturday morning. Saturday night about 11
o'clock Cook ended his pursuit, and had the satisfaction of having his
theory as to the course the murderer had taken verified by suddenly
overtaking him at a place called Woodbury's, twenty-five miles north of
Pueblo, where the fellow was waiting to take the same coach that Cook came
in on, in pursuance of his journey. The capture was an easy one, although
Cook had prepared for a death struggle, which might have ensued if Meyers
had not been "caught napping." Previous to leaving he had telegraphed to
parties at Colorado City and Pueblo to be on the alert for the escaping
murderer. It was known that Meyers had chosen that route. The officer in
question felt virtually assured of being able to overtake his man. Meyers
had stopped at Woodbury's, and was awaiting the arrival of the coach from
Denver. He was discovered to be partially intoxicated. News of the murder
had preceded him; he was immediately suspected; and when he retired, to
sleep until the arrival of the coach, the caps were removed from his
shotgun and he was dispossessed of his pistol. The coach brought the
sheriff, and the murderer was awakened by the officer who was standing
over him with a revolver, and to find himself a prisoner, instead of a
passenger to Pueblo.
The accommodations at Woodbury's were insufficient, and there was also
some fear that if the prisoner should be allowed to remain there he might
be lynched, as the story of his crime had gotten out. Hence Cook decided
to go on to Pueblo and to take his prisoner with him, with the intention
of starting on his return the next morning. Putting this plan into
execution, Meyers was tied with ropes and lifted into the coach, the
officer carrying a lighted candle that he might keep a close watch upon
his prisoner. They had as fellow travelers a lady and a gentleman, and it
may be easily imagined that the woman did not enjoy the prospect of her
ride. Her fears were, however, assuaged by the assurance of Gen. Cook that
there was no danger, an assurance to which his firm bearing added great
weight with her.
Once in the coach, but not before, Meyers demanded to know why he had been
arrested. When told of the charge that was made against him he at first
denied it, but asked where Cook had gotten the information.
"From the woman you tried to kill at the time you killed Bonacina."
"The woman! Ain't she dead?"
"No, sir."
"Well, it's not my fault if she isn't. She would have been, though, if my
plans had not miscarried."
"What were your plans?"
"Why, to fire both barrels of the shotgun into her at once. That would
have stopped her blabbing tongue. But one of them missed fire."
After this, Meyers, without displaying the least compunction of
conscience, told the entire story of the murder, claiming that he and
Bonacina had quarreled, and that after killing the man he had been so
excited that he did not know what he was doing, and hence had made an
effort to finish Mrs. Newton as well.
It was after daylight when Pueblo was reached, and the return stage was
soon ready to start for Denver. Cook had already been two nights without
rest, devoting the first to searching for clues and the second to the
journey and the arrest of Meyers. He was already pretty well worn out, but
he did not have time to rest. One more day and night of hard work was
before him. There was but one additional passenger on the coach, Capt. H.
L. Thayer. During the night, Cook rode with his derringer in his hand and
sat on his other pistols that he might have them ready for use at a
moment's notice. He had been so long without sleep that he feared that he
might drop into a nap at any time, when he could expect nothing from his
prisoner less than an effort to get away and a probable attack upon
himself. But the journey was devoid of more than ordinary interest, and
Meyers was early Monday morning locked up in the Arapahoe county jail to
await his trial. The capture was speedily and well executed, for which
Gen. Cook was generally complimented.