The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1915-11-19
CONTINUED
FROM PAGE !
DIES FIGHTING
GUARDS IN JAIL

band Of cloth was tightly placed
around his eyes and head.
lie walked to the death chair
with e swinging stride.
when he came opposite the door
OF the blacksmith shop behind
which we're stationed the five rifle.
men. Hillstrom passed the 81 wit
nesses In their places.
lie tried TO rcmoy. the hllndfold,
but was prevented by the straps
which had been drawn around his
arma and waist.
Buckied into Gig Chair
Hs was led to the big congress
chair. about 20 PAGES distant from
the five holes In the door Of the
blacksmith shop. from which the
muxxles of the rifles protruded.
Guards showed him into the death
chair and bucklcd more straps
about his legs and arms. rendering
him helpless lie Strengthened un
and moistsned his lips with his
tongue.
Doctors tested his heart. II was
pumping hard They pinned tho
white target above hrs heart. and
tho white mark stood out boldly
a galnst his black prison shirt.
Dies With q Grin
Sheriff Coriess shouted Ain"
The five rifles stcadied from tho
portfolios.
Fire. let 'er 60" shrieked Hili.
sirom. mockingly
lie was plainly Erinning.
Fire" commanded Corlcss
Five rifles spoke. Hills,rom' 9
body sagged down.
An eleventh hour attempt to save
Hillstrom failed.
A Seattle man named Busky wal
reported to have signed an affidavit
furnishing an abb. claiming he was
I'm Hillsiroms company elsewhere
than at tho scene on the niEht the
murder of Morrison and his son
was committed.
Hlllstrom himself swept even this
small hope 81 life aside.
Denies Ae kno~s Him
II don't know Busky." he said
In his cell. when officials questioned
HIM. That settled Hillstrom's fate.
Despite threats OF death sent Gov.
spry. coupled with letters saying
buildings would be wrecked, the
city was quiet. No disorder oc-
CURED during or after the execu-
ton.
The marksmen's aim was perfect.
The four bullets entered over I'M.
strom's heart in space which
could have been covered by a all
yer dollar
While ciroumstantial evidence
convicted Hillstrom OF the murders,
his own attempt TO defend himself
in court and his refusal TO tell
where he was on the night Of the
crime helped TO send him to his
doom.
Don't Believe His Story
Hillstrom's plea was that he was
In a married womans company, and
he consistently adhered to the
declaraiion.that he would rather die
than ruin her good name. This
story was not credited by the
authorities.
llillstrom appeared shortly after
the murders with a bullet wound
In his shoulder. Blood spots showed
that tho Morrlsons wounded their
assailant
The man with whom Hillstrom
lived disappeared after the murder.
Tho missing man was believed
10 have been Hilstrom's accom-
plice. witnesses AT the trial testify
Ing that two men Of their general
appearance were seen lettering
around the Morrison grocery
/, II there was a married woman IN
whose home Hillstrom was on the
night OF the Morrison murders, she
made no effort TO save him.
The execution followed summary
rejection by Gov. Spry Of President
Wilson's request Tar a halt, and
subsequent reopcnIng OF the case.
In this the governor resented
what no deemed an inference that
Hlllstrom had not been fairly tried