Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1903-11-27
NET DEATH BRAVELY
PETER MoRTENsEN EXECUTED
FOR MURDER OF JAMES r. HAY.
Protested His Innocence to the Last
and Maintained His Wonderful
esK-controI to the Last Moment.

Pctez Mortensen, the convicted rnul
derer OF his neighbor. James X. HaJ
was executed at tho Utah state prisol
Friday morning. about 100 persons b.
Ing present at the execution. Morton
sen was shot to death, meeting hi
end while seated In a chair In q cor
ner Of the prison yard. Four bullets
entered his body, two piercing hin
heart and two passing directly under
| II. His life was snuffed ont instantly
and physicians say his death was alb
solutely painless.
Mortensen died game and protested
his innocence to the last In state
ment he prepared for presentation to
the public through the press, he said.
among other things:
ITO the world ! want to say and
swear by the heavens above, by the
Garth beneath, and by all things hold
dear on this earth, am not guilty of
that cowardly murder of my dearest
friend! ask. therefore. no mans
pardon for aught that / may have
done In life."
The condemned mans last night on
earth was spent In calm and peaceful
sleep, and he ate = hearty breakfast
on tho morning OF the execution.
Mortensen did not ask for nor re-
ceive the services of a clergyman ON
the day OF the execution. From his
attitude tho day previous It was ex-
pected that he would desire spiritual
comfort during his last hours on earth,
but not once did he even speak OF such
} thing.
Peter Mortensen. who was execut- |
ID for the murder of James r. Hay,
was born In Richfield, Utah, thirty |
sight years ago. His early years were
Ipent there and when a young man
10 removed to Provo. 1t was while
living At that place that he married
Hiss Watkin, who is the mother of
I've children.
Mortensen lived for q time in Og-
en-, and while there engaged in the
amber business. He owned a sawmill
ear there at one time, which after
ard was destroyed by fire. 1t has
cen claimed since that he burned the
Ill himself
Since moving to Salt Lake City Nor
'nsen has resided most Of the time !
Forest Dale, and prior to his arrest
r the murder OF Hay was considered /
! upright and honorable citizen. He
said to have been man with
eat determination and strong will, 5
ID would generally succeed In what
or he undertook.
When he was arrested for murder =
December IS. 1908. his wife left .
n and went to Ogden to reside with /,
r relatives. Mortensen never saw :,
r since that time a.
The refusal Of Mrs. Mortensen to :,
ve anything more to do with her ~
sband has had great influence on -
bile sentiment. The general belief IN
that she took this step because she n,
8 convinced OF hts guilt va
The murder OF James R. Hay, was be
nmitted on the night Of December M
1901. and Mortensen was convict ~
on juno IA. 1909. Hay had gone to 10,
rtensen's home to collect sum of ov
ney which Mortensen owed the Pa re
c Lumber company. for whom Hay
! employed. Mortensen and Hay
the formers home together, and
latter was never again seen alive. Nj
body was discovered later. 1t hay
been buried In 4 pasture. The
q had been shot In the back of the
d. Mortensen was charged with DO
crime. and after hard legal fight, LII
paid the penalty With his life. be,