The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1915-11-19

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Wilson, who acted on . request of the
Swedish minister. The case had pre-.
viously been investigated for the Swed-
ish minister by the Swedish vice.consul
for Utah, well-known attorney, who
advised that his investigation developed
nothing that would justify the board Of
pardons in committing the sentence.
Hlllstrom declined TO make any state
ment before the board OF pardons or to
give it any information as to where he
was or what he did the night of the
homicides or the circumstances under
which or the place where he received his
wound. He also declined to give the
board any reasons why he should receive
clemeney and refused to let his own
counsel or any member Of the board in
terrogate him on any subject whatever.
He declared he did not wish commuta-
tion or pardon and insisted that he have
a new trial which the board and his own
counsel informed him the board was
powerless to grant.
Hillstrom Claimed To Be Swede.
Hfillstrom, who said he had been ma
chinist and laborer, claimed to be a
Swedish subject and on that ground the
interest of the Swedish minister was OBJ.
tanned. Hillstrom was a member OF the
Industrial Workers of the World, the
memb bers of which have been active in
demanding his pardon or retrial. Reso-
lutions to that effect have been passed
all over the United States and in sew
eral foreign countries. Many OF them
showed ignorance of the crime charged
against Hillstrom and indicated be-
lief that he was accused of some politi-
cal otfense. The governors Office has re-
ceived thousands of communications on
the subject. As the day set for his exc
cution approached the number of com
munications sometimes reached 400
day. Many of these contained threats
of death to the governor and members
of his family, who We're placed under
guard. Other threats were to destroy
buildings and other properly and many
believe recent attempt to burn lead
ing hotel was the work of Hillstrom
sympathizers. Elaborate police precau
tions have existed here for weeks past
as result of the threats.
Several local sympathizers, including a
woman instructor at the state university,
have been active in their efforts to OBJ
tain new trial, pardon or commnta
tion for Hillstrom. One of these, who
sent cable to Sweden in Hillstrom's in
terest, said he desired him set at liberty,
guilty or innocent. The more prominent
local advocates Of Hillstrom's cause were
cited before the board of pardons in Sep
tember and requested to present any
facts they had in addition to those OF
fered at the trial. All admitted they
had no additional evidence to offer.
Morrison Previously Attacked.
Many persons familiar with the case
believe the murders were for revenge,
as no attempt at robbery was made
when Morrison was killed. Morrison had
been police officer and was known as a
man Of great resolution and courage,
which he had demonstrated on two for
mer occasions in encounters with robbers.
Four men entered his store the evening
If February q 1908. and demanded that
he throw up his hands. Instead of CON-
plying, Morrison ran TO rear room and
returned with a shotgun, which be found
would not work. Dropping the shotgun,
md under fre all the time. he rushed to
he rear again and got his revolver with
which he shot down one Of the intruders
ind drove the Others from the store.
they carried their wounded companion
With them, but failed TO get any money.
A running fight with the gang followed,
n the course of which one Of them was
hot and killed by policeman after he
lad seriously wounded the officer. The
,thers escaped and the dead man was
lever identified.
Morrison's second encounter was the
tight Of September 20, 1918, when he
vas walking home from the store with
800 in cash in his pocket. Two hold
fps confronted him and demanded the
money. Morrison drew his pistol and
ired on them. One Of them returned
he fire and, after several shots had been
xchanged. both ran away. Morrison
aid he thought he knew the men who
ried 20 hold him up. but would make
70 charge as he was in doubt and feared
o accuse someone unjutly. Some be.
Ieve Hillstrom and his companion were
hese men.
Morrison had a wife and Eve children.
'esides the boy who was killed with