Omaha daily bee., 1915-11-20
HILLSTROM TIES
DOOR OF CELL AND
ATTACKS GUARDS
Murdrer Of John G. Morrison is Ex-
ecuted in the Utah Peniten-
tiary at Salt Lake City
for His Crime.
ASSERTS INNOCENCE TO END
Prisoner Rallies After Making AS
Sault on Guards Who Took Him
to Prison Yard.
ALLEGED ALIB1 IS D1sREGARDED

SALT LAKE CITY, Nov. 19.-
Joseph Hillstrom was executed by
shooting here today for the murder
OF John G. Morrison, q grocer, and
his son, Airing, who were killed in
Morrison's store, January 10, 1914.
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 fruther con-
sideration, made by the president,
was declined yesterday by Governor
William Spry, supported by the par
don board, on the ground that It
would be an unwarranted interfer-
ence with justice.
Fire! Let her gor' were Joseph Hill
stroms last words, uttered an instant be-
fore the rifles of the firing squad ended
his life at 7:4 o'clock this morning. Al
though he was self-possessed and as
serted his innocence when he faced his
executioner3. Hillstrom had a sensa ational
nervous collapse just previously when he
tied the door of his cell at the state
prison with strips torn from his blankets
and fought the guards fiercely with the
tShandle of a broom he had snatched from
an attendant In the corridor.
Ties Door of His Cen.
Hillstroms outburst was unexpected.
He retired calmly last night and remained
apparently in sleep until early this morn
ing. He arose about o'clock and began
to shake the cell door, shrieking as II In
nightmare. The noise reached the out
side guards. who turned in a general
alarm, bringing all the prison officers to
the scene. The prison physician endeav-
ored, with slight success, to quiet him.
1t was decided not. to Interfere with him
until necessary and he was not disturbed
until the time arrived to take him to the
scene OF the execution, When the guards
arrived for tkia purpose Hlllstrom fought
them saVageiy with the proom Iiaudie,
which he.shad broken In two. leaving a
sharp point on one piece. The Officers
tried vainly to get him out of the cell
without disturbance, Deputy Warden A.
c. Ore receiving a slight wound in the
arm from HillstroIn's weapon in the proc
ess. Hillstrom fought silently undl Sheriff
j. S. Corless. for whom ne had previously
manifested high regard. arrived and ap-
pealsd to him.
Sheriff Quiets Prisoner. r
Joe, this is ell nonsense" said Corless.
What do you mean? You promised to
die like a man."
Hillstrom hesitated a moment and then
yielded. well. I'm through he said.
But you can't blame a man for fight
ing for his life"
The blanket strips he had tied to the
y door were cut he was bligdfolde
and led to the place of execution, sup
ported by two guards. He talked inces-
sanity in the few moments that elapsed
between the time of his arrival and the
firing of death volley. He asked whether
any Of his friends were in the firing
squad and kept saying he was innocent
and would die like q man. His voice was
clear. but low He was quickly adjusted
TO the death chair, and, as the attendants
drew aside. Hillstrom Strengthened him
self in the chair and said TIL die like
man. never did any wrong in my
life. die fighting. not like a coward.
Well I'm going. Goodbye everybody"
The word to fire was given and the re-
ports of the rifles came an instant after
Hillstrom's final words Let her go!'' He
died instantly.
Hillstrom wore his prison suit A dark
suit had been obtained for him, but the
Continued on Page Two, Column One.)