Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-11-19
Execution Plans

Arrangements for the execution OF
HiIlstrom have been completed and he
will be shot to death tomorrow
Governor Spry says in his telegram
to President Wilson declining to inter-
fere further in the Hillstrom case, that
he is satisfied the Presidents request
is based on a miscomprehenSion of the
case or that there is some reason Of
an International nature that the Pres
ident has not disclosed; that a further
postponement at this time would be
an unwarranted interference with the
course Of justice, and that, mindful
OF tn, obligations or his oath of Office,
he cannot and will not lend himself
or his Office 70 such interference.
Death Watch
Fillstrom had not been advised Of
Governor Spry's action this afternoon.
death watch has been placed over
him and VIII remain until he has been
executed.
The E<ecutioners
The five men appointed to execute
Hillstrom have been directed to re-
port at the prison at o'clock to1nor
row morning.
Governors Telegram
Reviewing the history of the case
and particularly the Presidents action
in connection with it the Governor
says in his telegram:
September 80 you requested a stay
Of execution of the sentence to give
the Swedish minister an opport unity
to present his view of the case. Upon
the same day, at your request, only
one, the assumption that you We're in
possession of facts not presented to
the board, / granted d respite until
oct. IS, especially requesting that the
Swedish minister personally investi-
gate the case and appear before the
board Under date of Oct. /, you ad
vised me that your only reason for in
terceding was the request Of a rep
resentative of foreign government.
October IS at the regular board meet
ing an open hearing was had in fur
Their consideration of the case. Hill
strons attorney advised the board
that there was nothing further to pre-
sent and that Hillstrom declined to
appear before the board again. The
only representation in the convict's be-
half was a short telegram from the
Swedish minister requesting commu
tation of sentence, not by reason of
any new thing in relation to the case,
but. as he expressed it, (for the sake
Of humanity and comfy usually prac-
ticed between friendly nations). Be-
cause of the absence of any showing,
~ h.,
again denied the communication. The
convict thereupon was on the 18th day
Of October, re-sentenced by the court
to be shot. Nov 10. Forty-six days af-
ter the granting of the respite and at
the 18th hour, you, as the President,
without stating any reasons therefor,
again wired urging thorough reconsid-
ering the case because of its import
ance and the justice and ACCESSIBILITY
Of such a course.
Questions Interference
Your interference in the case may
have elevated it to an undue import
ance and the receipt of thousands Of
threatening letters demanding the re-
Please Of Hillstrom, regardless Of his
guilt or innocence, may attach a pc
culiar aspect to it, but the case is i'm
portant in Utah only as establishing
after a fair and impartial trial. the
guilt Of one Of the perpetrators of one
Of the most atrocious murders ever
committed in this state. 1t is also i'm
portant by reason Of the fact that this
case has had more careful and pains
taking consideration at the hands Of
the proper officials Of Utah than any
other like case in the history Of the
state.
LAS to your suggestion that justice
requires further consideration Of the
case earnestly submit that the impu-
(Coofinuad On Pace sCol ~