Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-11-19
Wilson's Plea Ignored and
Condemned Man Faces
Gun Squad.
RECEIVERS NERVE
AND DIES GAMELY
Strain Proves Too 0rsat For Hilistrom
and He strusslss With Death Guard
Arrival Of Sheriff Cairns Con-
dsmned Man and He Rssains Com
pesurs Before Final ordea-E'sv-
snth Hour Effort to Save Him Fails.

Salt Lake CITY. Utah. Nov. ID
Joseph Hillstrom. convicted OF the
murder OF John C. Morrison. grocer.
and his son Airing, was executed by
shooting at 7:42 o'clock this morning.
Under the Utah law he was allowed to
choose between shooting or hanging.
President Wilson twice interceded
for Hillstrom. The presidents second
request. made yesterday, was denied
by Governor Spry.
At 8 o'clock this morning, Governor
spry ana members of the board OF par
dons received kilograms from Seattie'
wash. saying William Busky. OF that
city. had sworn to affidavits saying ne
was with Hillstrom all Of the night on
which tho Morrison murders were
committed. A similar message 1t was
stated. had been sent to President
wilson. Attorneys for Hillstrom im-
mediately asked the governor to grant
q ten-,aay respite. Members OF the
pardon board said today they were
inclined to think that the alleged al
hdayitx were merely new ruse to de-
law the execution. The board held .
hurried conference and decided not to
frterfere with the execution. It was
reported at that time that Hillstrom
was weak and showing signs Of break
ing under tho strain.
Vvajks' ouieAIy 10 Death.
When the ofIicers came to get Hill
strom ho broke down and started 20
strurgle With them. When the sheriff
Arrived he quieted down. He walked
~ ~ fo snS death chair. When
asked II 10 haA anything to say, he
said:
science. never did any thing WRONG
in my life Well. I'm going. Good
bye"
when the OFFICER started to give the
command to fire. Hillstrom yelled;
Fire"
The squad fred and a bullet pierced
his heart. He was dead in one minute
and ten seconds.
.Fire: Let Her Co.. Hie Last Words.
Hillstrom's case attracted wide at
tention, having been once reopened by
the pardon board, at the request OF
President Wilson, on behalf OF the
Swedish minister.
A second request for consideration
made by the president was declined
yesterday by Governor William Spry.
supporter by the pardon board. on the.
ground that It would be an unwar-
rsnted Interference with Justice.
..Ffre: let her 60" were Hillstrom's
last words, uttered an instant before
the rifles Of the firing squad ended his
life at TAI o'clock this morning. Altho
he was self possessed and asserted his
Hillstrom had q sensational
nervous collapse just previously. when
he tied the door of his cell at the state
prison with strips torn from his blan-
kefs and fought the guards fiercely
with the handle Of broom he had
snatched from an attendant in the corr,
ridor.
outburst Unexpected.
Hiilstroms outburst was unexpected.
He retired calmly last night and re-
NAMED apparently in sleep until early
this morning. He arose about o'clock
and began to shake the cell door.
shrieking as II in nightmare. The
noise reached tho outside guards, who
turned in q general alarm. bringing all
the prison officials to the scene. The
prison physician endeavored with
slight success to quiet him. It was de-
5cided not to interfere with him until
necessary and he was not disturbed
until time for the execution.
when the guards arrived Hillstrom
fought them savagely with the broom
handle, which no had broken In two.
leaving . sharp point on one piece. The
.ofKicers tried vainly to get him out of
tho cell without disturbance. During
the struggle Deputy Warden A. c. Ure
received a slight wound in the arm
from Hillstrom's weapon.
ouistsd BY Sheriff.
Hillstrom fought silently until Sher-
m ]. s. Corless, Tor whom he had pre-
viousfy manifested high regard, arr
rived and appealed to him.
Joe, this 10 all nonsense" said Cor
less. What do you meant You prom
lsed TO die like . man."
Hillstrom hesitated q moment and
then yielded.
..vvelk Tm thru" he said, "but you
can't blame man for fighting for his
life"
The blanket strips he had tied to the
door were then cut, he was bind
folded and was led to the place of ex-
ecration. He talked necessarily In the
rev moments that elapsed before the
time OF his arrival and the firing Of
the death volley. He asked II any Of
his friends were in the firing squad.
ana kept saying he was innocent and
would die like Q man.
Nerves Himself For Ordeal.
ssTll die like man. never did any
hing wrong In my life. TIL die like .
man. Wen, I'm going. Goodbye. every
body. = s q .ssz .s ~. =
No word 10 fire was given and the
fG1,ofk came With Hil1strom,S words
sIoe hoP 90
H1llst1om wors his prison suit. -