Omaha daily bee., 1915-11-19

cording to this boys story. which was
oorroborated on many points by other
evidence. two masked men entered the
store with drawn pistols and saying
We've got you now" opened fire on
Morrison. who fell MORALLY wounded with
q bullet through his chest. Airing Morri-
son ran TO an icebox In the store. seized
.ss-caliber revolver and fired Before
the boy could shoot again he fell pierced
by three bullets. and died almost in
stantly. The men then ran from the
store, one of them exclaiming that he
was shot. and were observed 10 run south
ward from the store The surviving son
bent over his father. who became uncon-
scious after having inquired whore his
Arrest of HIlIstrOm.
Hnlstrom, also known as Joe Hill, was
arrested three days after the shooting ON
Information given by a doctor near MUIR
ray, Utah, two and a half miles south OF
the scene OF the crime. Hillstrom stag
gered into the Doctors home two hours
after the shooting. with a large bullet
wound through his left lung He told the
doctor he had been shot in a quarrel
over n woman and requested that nothing
be aaid regarding his visit or wound. The
doctor, not having heard OF the murders,
trSated the wound and took Hillstrom TO
a Mouse, where he had been staying for
several days News OF the murder re-
called the case to the doctor and he In
formed the officers. The doctor found
an automatic pistol OF the same caliber
a. shells found in the grocery after the
shooting IN Hilistrom's pocket. Hilistrom
threw the weapon away after leaving the
doctors home. Blood found at several
places between the store and the home OF
the doctor and members of the family
where Hiiistrom lived said a companion
had visited him late the night OF the
murders, talked privately with him and
left. This man was not apprehended and
has not been heard OF since.
The Morrison boy because OF the masks
and confusion OF the shooting. was not
able 10 identify Hillstrom. except in gem
eral description OF his size and clothing,
but another witness gave a minute and
particular description OF Hillstrom as one
OF the assailants seen In bright moon
light near an electric arc lamp with snow
on the ground Hillstrom also was identi-
fled as a man who visited the store the
afternoon OF the murders and talked with
Morrison.
Prisoner Receivers Rapidly.
Hillstrom's recovery from his wound
was rapid and complete. He has always
maintained his innoceneS. but has never
told where he was the night OF the muir
ders OF who shot him. He created a scene
at his trial by dramatically dischArgins
his attorneys In open court. later giving
as his reason their failure TO tear
young Morrison 20 pieces on cross-exami-
nation" referring to the boy who wit
messed the shooting He refused 20 &c
on the witness stand himself or TO offer
any evidence as TO where he was or what
he did the night OF the murders. He wai
found guilty by the trial jury. the iuds-
ment was affirmed by the supreme eourt
ana the Board OF Pardons. after an ex.
haustive review OF the case. declined C
commute his sentence OF death.
He was sentenced 70 be shot October
and was reprieved by Governor Spry Sep
TENDER 30 at the request OF President VIII
son. who acted on a request OF the swed.
ish minister. The case had previously
been investigated for the Swedish min
lister by the Swedish vice consul foI
Utah. a well known attorney, who ad.
vtsed that his Investigation developed
nothing that would justify the Board OF
Pardons In committing the sentence.
DECLINES 20 Make statement.
Hillstrom declined TO make any state
ment before the Board OF Pardons or TO
giye II any information as 10 where Ne
was or what he did the plight Of the