The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1915-11-19
EFFORTS OF SWEDISH MINISTER
TO UNITED STATES, AND LABOR
FEDERATION FAILED TO SAVE.
SHOT At SIX O'CLOCK
The Request Of President Wilson on
Thursday for Further Consideration
OF the Case Rejected by Gov. spry.
Firing Squad Called for Duty

salt Lake city, Nov. l9.-Joseph
iliiIIstrom, condemned murderer whose
case attracted attention through the
country and prompted the mtercession
of President Wilson, the Swedish min.
lister to the United States. and the
! American Federation of Labor, was
put to death by firing squad at the
state prison early today. Death was in
Simultaneous.
The guard, when he approached
linlstrom's cell, found the door lied
with strips torn from blankets aud
he used the handle of broom ns
weapon. but the outburat was only
temporary. He retired last night
calm, remaining apparently asleep
util O'Clock when he began slals-
Ing the door and shrielting. The
prison physician tried with lItio
success TO calm him, but he Naa
calm when executed.
Joseph lilstrom was convicted of
the murder of John G. Morrison,
grocer of Salt Lake CITY, and his son,
Airing, II years old at Morrison's
store, in the southern portion of the
city about . o'clock on the evening of
January 10, 1914.
He created a scene at his trial by
dramatically discharging his attorneys
in open court, later giving as his rea-
son their failure to tear young Nor
rison to pieces on cross sseXamination,"
referring to the boy who witnessed
the shooting. He refused to go on the
witness stand himself or to offer any
evidence as to where he was or what
he did the night of the murder. He was
found guilty by the trial jury, the
judgment was affirmed by the supreme
court and the board OF pardons, after
an exhaustive review of the case, de-
clincd to commute his sentence OF
death.
He was sentenced to be shot oct /.
and was reprieved by Governor Spry
September 80, at the request of Presi-
dent Wilson, who acted on a request
of the Swedish minister. The case had
previously been investigated for the
Swedish minister by the Swedish vice
consul for Utah. well-known attor-
ney who advised that his inyestiga-
ton developed nothing that would
Justify the board Of pardons in com.
muting the sentence.
Several local sympathizers including
a woman instructor at the state uni
yersity have been active in their eff
forts to obtain new trial, pardon or
Communication for Hillstrom. One of
these, who sent a cable to Sweden in
interest, said he desired
him set at liberty, guilty or innocent.
The more prominent local advocates
Df llillstroms cause, were cited before
the board of pardons in September
and requested to present any facts
they had in addition to those offered
At the trial All admitted they had
no additional evidence to offer
Morrison's second encounter was
The night of of September 20, 1913,
when he was walking home from the
store with $500 in cash in his pocket
Two holdups confronted him and de-
handed the money. Morrison drew his
'istol and fired on them. One of them
the fire and after several
hots had been exchanged, both ran
way. Morrison said he thought he
new the men who tried to hold him
p, but would make no charge as he
vas in doubt and feared to accuse
omeone unjustly. Some believe Hill
from and his companion were these
len.
Morrison hada wife and five chill
ren. besides the boy who was killed
'ith him.