Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1915-11-18
COVE SPRY
REFUSES APPEAL OF
PRESIDENT WILSON
Will Allow Hillstrom Execu-
tiOn To Proceed Tomorrow
As Ordered

Salt Lake City, Utah, Nov. 49,
Governor Spry wired President Will
son this afternoon that he would not
stay the execution of Joe Hillstrom, 1.
w. W., who is to be shot for double
murder, tomorrow, unless new evidence
was presented Immediately.
During the forenoon, the governor
called a special executive session of the
entire board.
Seven leading Utah democrats con-
ferred with the governor during the
day, and disapproved of what they
called President Wilson'S ''unwar-
ranted interference" in the case. They
endorsed the execution.
With this message, all hope for Hill
strom seemed gone, Preparations had
been made for sending him before the
firing squad, tomorrow. The state s
gunmen are ready. None snow signs of
weakening. If, at the last moment,
anyone does waver his place will be
filled by reserve gunman.
He will be shot at sunrise, unless the
miraculous happens Every opportun-
ity has been given for the condemned
man to present fresh testimony. None
has been Forthcoming. 1t seems likely
no more can be presented between now
and dawn.
The president urged none in his re-
quest. His lawyers, apparently failed
to gather from Hillstrom anything fur
ther to warrant delay.
Without clergyman, the condemned
man will be led from the death chamber
out into the prison court yard. There
the death chair will be waiting. He
will be blindfolded. Five muzzles will
point at him. At a signal all will
fire. One rifle will have blank cart.
ridge so that every executioner may
feel that perhaps he was not the one
who killed Hillstrom.
Only few persons will be permitted
to witness the execution.
Last Day on Earth
What was probably Hillstrom Is last
day on earth was spent under vigil
the state pardon board
Hillstrom slept better last night than
he had in weeks. The presidents g re-
quest seemed to buoy him to a new
hope, yet he declared; "I am ready to
die. "
This morning, the warden lent him a
razor and he shaved himself.
"I'm not the kind to commit sui
cide," he commented apropos of this
decision to break an unwritten rule in
every prison Of the land. "I will :
ready when they want to shoot me. "
Wants No Spiritual Advice.
Hillstrom steadfastly refused to ac.
cept spiritual adviser or discuss re-
hgion.
To his counsel, he today barred the
story of his life. Born in Joffa, Swed-
en-, he emigrated to America at the age
of 20, hoping to Join his brother, Carl.
strom. When he failed to find the lat
ter, Hillstrom turned westward. There
he got work on the docks Of San Fran.
cisco and later went to Los Angeles
and San Pedro. In southern California
he allied himself with the /. w. w. hr'
denied that he had participated in th'
Tiaiuana I. w. w. expedition. Aftel
he had done 30 day "jolt" for vag
rancy at San Pedro, he worked in the
Utah mines. Then he came here, and
was arrested on the double murder
charge while he was visiting friends.
Though he has given other details t.
counsel engaged by the Swedish min
lister at Washington, Hillstrom still re
fuses, it is believed, to divulge tn,
name Of the married woman in who's
home he claims he was on the nigh
when the murders were committed. Al
through, he has said that he viii shielt
her, and efforts thus far have beer
without avail Authorities, however
doubt this story, for they promised tina
such revelation If 1t proved trut
might mean freedom for him.