Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1915-11-19

Salt Lake City, Utah, Nov. 10. =
Fighting in an insane frenzy Joe Hill
strom, Industrial Worker of the World,
went to his death before the state fir
ing squad in the yard of the state pris-
ON at 7:42 q. m. today.
In some unknown way he had con-
cealed broom handle in his cell. When
the door was opened he leaped at his
guards, swinging the club over their
heads flercely, and severely cutting one
ON the scalp and face.
But, guards overpowered him in the
twinkling of an eye.
Until he came out Of his cell, he had
shown no signs of resisting.
He had been nervous, but unwavering
in the cold calmness that had marked
him for months. Guards we're taken by
surprise.
"I'll die fighting" he screamed,
"not like a coward"
AS he continued to struggle, powerful
guards pinioned his arms to his sides,
They urged him to be quiet and take
his medicine like a man. When further
resistance was useless, he settled sud
denly into an apathetic calm.
"Now / can die with q clear con.
science" he said.
Walked to Prison Yard.
The march of the firing squad then
commenced. Warden Pratt and depu-
ty led. Two physicians followed. Then
came Hillstrom between two deputy
sheriffs.
Hillstrom . eyes were not blindfold.
cd dntil he was taken into the prison
yard. 1t was his wish to face the squad
with open eyes, but thick heavy band
Of cloth was tightly placed around his
eyes and his head.
He walked to the death chair with a
swinging stride.
When he came opposite the door of
the prison blacksmith shop, behind
which were stationed the five rifle men
I'illstrom passed the 33 witnesses in
their places. He tried to remove the
blindfold but was prevented by the
straps which had been drawn around
his arms and waist.
He was led to the big congress chair
about 20 PAGES distant from the five
holes in the door in the blacksmith
shop, from which the glittering muz
zles Of the rifles protruded.
Guards quickly showed him into the
death chair, and buckled more straps
about his legs aud arms, rendering him
helpless.
"Fire, Let 'er Co." He Said
He straightened up and moistened
his lips with his tongue. Physicians
tested his heart. 1t was pumping hard
Then pinned the white target above hit
heart, and the white mark stood out
boldly against his black prison shirt
Sheriff Corless shouted "aim."
The five rifles steadied from tn,
portfolios.
"Fire, let Ter CO." shrieked Hill
strom, mockingly. He was plainly grin
ning-a horrible death grin, IL seemed
to witnesses
Fire" " commanded Corless.
Five rifles spoke, Hillstrom 3 body
sagged down in the chair and thef
straightened out stiffly, as the hea(
sagged down on his shoulders.
Physicians stepped quickly to Hill
strom Is side. They applied the stetho
scope.
In one minute, 12 2.5 seconds, the,
raised their hands,
"He is dead" " they said solemnly.
The corpse was taken to the prison
hospital, No one claimed II at first.
Attempt 10 Save Him Fails,
An eleventh hour attempt to saw
Hillstrom failed. A Seattle man nance
Busby was reported to have signed al
affidavit furnishing an alibi, claiminI
he was In Hillstrom's company else
whore than at the scene, on the nigh
! the murder Of j. G.. Morrison and hi
son, Airing, was committed.
| Hillstrom himself swept even thi
small hope Of life aside.