Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1902-09-03
MORTENSEN NOW
IN STATE PRISON
Affecting Scene Between Prisoner
And His Father and Brother.
HIS PARTING WITH WATKINS
Az First Declined 10 shake Hands
With Ellis Brother.in-Lsw = Ap-
peared Cheerful This Morning.

At l0:SO o'clock this morning, Peter
Mortensen, convicted OF the foul MUIR
der OF James r, Hay, was taken from
the county jail where he has languished
for 80 many months, to the state prison
where he win enter upon new phase
OF prison life.
There he will not have the pleasure
OF ningling with other prisoners, he
Will not have the freedom accorded him
while at the county Jail, but win be
confined In a narrow cell on the same
row with four other murderers. In
other words, he will be what Is known
al the prison az Bull locked" and will
have but one hour out OF every twenty
four 10 walk about In the sunlight and
exercise his weary limbs.
He was taken out to the prison by
Sheriff Naylor and Deputy Sheriff Joe
Raleigh, In single seated buggy to
which were attached two horses. His
wrists were manacled with steel hand
Guns, and he took along with him
box Of trinkets and some pictures.
AN AFFECTING SCENE
An hour prior TO his leaving the Jail,
he was visited by his father, his
brother Jesse and Il. A. Peteler. The
scene between father and son was a
most affecting one, and cast gloom
over the entire prison and the officials.
When the aged father LETT ie could
scarcely speak With pale face and
shaking hands he babe his son an affec-
tionate farewell. Twice he broke down
completely and sobbed like child, and
the tears welled into the condemned
mans eyes az he grasped his fathers
hand. Down In the office the father
again broke down and sobbed as he
said goodbye to Sheriff Naylor and
Jaier Thomas and thanked them for
their considerable treatment Of Peter.
There was another pathetic scene yes
terday afternoon when Henry Morten-
sen called TO see the prisoner. Neither
could speak a work for several minutes
while the tears silently coursed down
their pale cheeks. Mortensen's sorrow
was sincere. His spirit was, for a time
al least, broken, and he gave free vent
to his feelings.
At the City and County building yes
terday when Mortensen was being re-
moved from the court room, he was
met In the hall by his brvther-in-lsw
/ plck" Watkins. Mr.. Watkins held out
his hand and said. well, goodbye,
Peter" The prisoner looked Mr.. Wat
kins In the face and hesitated some
time before he took the proffered hand.
u hadn't ought to take your hand"
he said.
Il don't know why" replied Mr.. Wat
kins.
Well you know why" answered the
prisoner. He then shook hands with his
relative and said he wished him well.
HE APPEARED CHEERFUL
Mortensen was not ready to leave the
county jail this morning when the
sheriff announced II time to go. He
was writing poetry and wanted to leave
Jailer Thomas a copy OF his effort.
When he did finally conclude his writ
ing he went through the Jail crying.
Good bye, boys In the most cheerful
tone imaginable He shook hands with
all the prisoners and wished them good
luck. To News reporter he said:
About my future care to say moth
ing at present. viii say, however. that
the case will be appealed and will be
vindicated in the end. / regret very
much leaving this place for one VI
which know little about. have been
treated well here by Jaier
Thomas and all the officials. and have
had all the liberty they could. In rea-
son, grant me, and ! appreciate II. SO
far as the pen Is concerned i know
practically nothing. I have only been
there twice and then IL was only to take
part In the meetings there. ] suppose
| will be locked up In a cell and that's
what will make II hard for me. That is
the most Objectionable part"
Mortensen then walked over to Dep
uty Sheriff Joe Raleigh and held out his
hands for the "bracelettS to be adjust
ed. AS the handouts we're fastened on
his wrists. Mortenser turned smilingly
TO the reporter and said "They are
simple, but they are strong enough"
The drive 10 the State prison was
then quickly made. Upon his arrival
there he was locked In cell on the
same row with Lynch. King. Howarth
and Dutch Carley." Mortensen makes
the fifth Bullock prisoner at the
institution
NJ. F, Mortensen and his son Jesse.
father and brother OF the prisoner. Will
leave Salt Lake for California In about
a week. The elder Mortensen's home Is
in Oakland. Cal, and he lie anxious TO
return 10 II.
Following is copy Of the poem
MIDNIGHT OF LIFE.
o, Judge not against me kind stranger,
Your friendship fam would retain.
My faith In the child OF The Manager"
Grows stronger with each passing
day;