The Oskaloosa herald., 1915-11-25
FIRING sQuADkItts
JOSEPH H|LLsTROM
Gov. Spry Ignores Presidents
| Plea for !. w. w. Poet.
FIGHTS GUARDS WITH BROOM
Four Bullets Pierce His Heart-Al
legged Slayer in Statement to
Newspapers Swears He
Is Innocent.

Salt Lake City, Utah, Nov. 20.-Jo
seph Hillstrom, the l. w. w. poet COP
victed Of the murder Of ]. G. Morrison
and the Iatter's son Arlington, was shoI
to death at 7:41 q. m. after efforts BY
President Wilson to secure a reprieVe
for the condemned man had failed and
after the state board of pardons had
decided that eleventh-hour evidence
which had come to light was insult
ficient ground for q reprieVe.
Hillstrom staggered to the chair
plainly a broken man. His head
dropped as he was blindfolded and
strapped in the chair. Every one OF
the four bullets pierced his heart.
Prisoner Fights Sheriff.
1t became known after the execu.
ton that Hillstrom had resisted when
the sheriff and deputies went to his
cell to take him to the place Of exc
cution. Before the sheriff arrived the
prisoner was asked If he desired to
see a minister. He shouted this re-
ply: -
moi Get away from me. All OF
you get away or I'll kill you" .. ::
A few moments later Sheriff Corllss
reached the cell and as Warden Pratt
opened the door the sheriff called for
HiIlstrom to come out. The prisoner
retreated to the back Of his cell. The
sheriff and deputy entered the dark
cell and Hillstrom suddenly hinged for.
ward with piece Of broomstick. de
struck the sheriff across the face.
Corless staggered pack, but, other
deputies rushed in and in a few Sec
onds Hillstrom was oyerpowered. Then
came the march to the place of execu'
ton. d,
Hillstrom's collapse just as he
reached the scene of death was at
attributed to an opiate administered
after he had offered resistance in his
cell. AS the target was placed above
his heart he reused himself long
enough to say:
Il die with a clear conscience. |
die fighting, not like a coward, but
mark my words, my day Of vindication
is coming"
President Wilson's second appeal to
Governor Spry to commute the con.
demned mans sentence met with fat
refusal
Your imputaticn that justice has
not been done in the Hillstrom case is
absolutely unjustifed," the governor
telegraphed the president A long
statement by the governor resented
eleventh hour interference"
Believes President Mislnformed.
Il think the president is even ex.
ceeding his powers in interfering q
second time. But in all probability he
has been misinformed," Governor
Spry said.
Other state officials were equally
vehement in denouncing the president
for again asking postponement of Hill
strom's death.
The extraordinary efforts to save
Hillstrom are reviewed at length IN
the Utah executives statement.
Joseph Hillstrom gave out the fol
lowing statement to the newspapers
Thursday night:
BY JOSEPH HILLsTRoM.
Tomorrow at sunrise die, q
martyr to the cause for which | have
fought throughout my life. have lost
all hope, but when my case comes to
the tragic climax it will find me no
less a man than have been all along.
Il reiterate that l have lived like
an artist and will die like one. My
death is but one step higher on the
ladder of the fight for fair trials for
workingmen and | give It gladly. Al.
though my friends have fought for a
communication Of my sentence, doubt
II would accept it. don't want that.
] want vindication. I want to 90 forth
from this prison a free man able to
face the world and laugh at 1t. want
the world to know that did not COM
NIT the Morrison murder.
The courts. the governor and the
state have demanded Of me that dis
close the name of that pure woman
over whom ! was shot. II is only pub
lie curiosity that wants TO know that
And as evidence that ] respect the
name of that woman, that respect
her honor and that Of her husband, I
refuse to disclose her name. freely
give my life rather than do this and
clear myself at her expense.
What does my measly life amount
to anyway ! have many friends, but
no near relatives who will mourn my
untimely death. There is no one to
care what becomes Of me. aside from
my many friends who have fought and
fought hard TO clear me. Right now.
while this splendid opportunity pre-
sents itself take advantage OF It TO
bid them all good-by. To you all. my
friends. spread from the Atlantic coast
70 the Pacific coast; 70 you who have
sung my songs. who have fought with
me TO advance the cause that Is dear.
est 10 your hearts and mine. bid a
farewell. Farewell to you all. Closing,
wish TO say 10 the world that the dag
OF my vindication 10 coming. and may
God grant that II be not far distant. Il
win come. It always comes TO an In
nocent man. This time 1t - too late
70 save me- - 49,. -. ~,