The Washington times., 1915-11-19

ficial witnesses Of the shooting were
admitted to the prison shortly after
o'clock. They found Hillstrom in
: The board of pardons met at the prIs-
on before the hour set for the execution.
The meeting suggested the possibility
OF some delay.
Telephone conferences between Cover
nor Spry and the board members pre-
ceded the session at the prison.
It was rumored that an elevcnth-hour
attempt to obtain another reprieve was
being made by Hillstroms counsel.
Given Choice of Food.
Before sunrise Hillstrom was awaken
ed out Of a sound sleep. He was per-
mitted to battle and shave himself and
was was given his choice of food for break
The five rifemen hired for the state
for $40 gold each to shoot Hillstrom
through the heart arrived at the prison
before o o'clock. The executioners were
smuggled into the prison to avoid a
possn.e tSiaers IN elhss tse. eisx NTH W. W. sympa
searchlights were mounted on the
prison walls and swept every approach
Heavy details of police and deputy
sherins guarded Gov. William Spry:s
residence during the night. An public
buildings were also under heavy guard
to prevent threatened violence.
uuoiucu NOVdU I1OHOT.
While circumstantial evidence con-
victed tIillstrom 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. Hillstrom's plea was
<hat he was In married woman's
company, and he consistently adhered
to the declaration that he would rather
die than ruin her good name. This
story was not credited by the author
tiles.
Hiilstrom appeared shortly after the
murders with bullet wound in his
shoulder. Blood spots showed that the
Morrisons wounded their assailant. The
man with whom Hillstrom lived disap-
peared after the murder. The missing
strom's accomplice. witnesses at the
trial testifying that two men OF their
general appearance were seen lettering
around the Morrison grocery.
Fourteen men beside Hillstrom have
died at the hand. Of Utah firing
squad. according 10 law. Only four
have ever chosen to be hanged. The
procedure today wys fixed by prece-
ernor and supreme court justices down
to Sheriff John Corless. who was to
give the firing signal. Even the prin-
cipal public buildings were under
htbNy eudfN. US was also the county
prison.
Many Threatening Letters.
Many letters were received during
Hillstrom's fight for new trial or
communication. threatening officials with
death and stating that buildings would
be RACED with dynamite II Hillstrom
was not freed.
Although Hillstrom came to the United
States from Sweden when he was
twenty. he did not take out citizenship
papers. He was we'll known in the
ranks OF the I. w. w Charges by the
prosecution that Hillstrom was arrest
ed during the Butte labor troubles.
that he aided the Mcnamara brothers
In their dynamiting career. and other
allegations, were never refuted by the
defense. but Attorney o. n. Hilton.
of Denver. volunteer In Hillstrom' 8
defense, challenged the pardon board
to prove that Hillstrom was ever con-
victcd Of any criminal charge.
Hillstrom was the author of many l..
w. w. songs and articles. displaying
his bitterness against conditions, rather
than any marked literary talent. lie
had no fixed place Of residence.