The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-11-20
A POEM HIS WILL
HillstrOm Bequeathed Last
Verses to /. w. w. Friends.
He Had No Worldly Goods to
Dispose OF.
UTAH WILL WAR ON OILERS
LaWIeSS Element To Be Driven
From Whole State.
Governor Spry Takes Firm
Stand Against VagabOnds.

salt Lake City, Utah, Nov. 90
When asked if b. had a last will to
make before he paid the penalty with
his life for the crime of which he was
convicted, Joseph Hillstrom, who was
executed here Friday by firing
squad, said that he had nothing to dis
pose. He then wrote a poem, which
he said was his will, and asked to have
it delivered to his l. w. w. friends. 1t
is as follows:
My Last VIII.
My will is easy to decide,
For there is nothing to divide
Ny kin don't need to fuss and moan :.
My body? oh. if l could choose,
l would to ashes it reduce,
And let the merry breeZeS blow
Ny dust to where some flowers grow.
Perhaps some fading flowers then
Would come to life and bloom again.
This is my last and final will.
Good luck to all of you.
(Signed). JOE HILL.
today by Governor William Spry
against the I. w. w and other alleged
lawless elements in this city and state.
THE fight has just begun" said
Governor Spry. I'VE are not going
to stop until the state is entirely rid
of this lawless element that now in
tests it. Every lawbreaker, every man
who defies law and order, every man
VINO IS opposed 10 law ana OrQer"Call
themselves what they will-will be
driven out of the state.
Il am going to see that the work
is started at once, and to this end
shall take the matter up with all the
peace officers. [ shall inform the
city officials of Salt Lake City that
it is their duty to drive out these un-
desirables. Then, if the city officials
and others whose duty it is do not
do it, will
Stop Street Speakings.
Il am going to see to it that in
flammatory street speaking is stop
ped, and at once.
They can call it free speech or by
any other name, if they wish. 1t must
be stopped and if the proper officers
do not stop it l will get a force here
in Utah that will stop it,
Asked if he thought it would be
necessary to get the state militia to
drive out the I. w. W.. members and
their sympa thizers, the governor said.
L do not think so, but if necessary
we will use any means possible. 1t
seems to me that the oath of lesser
official is just as binding as that of
my own office. a.a
II am fulfilling my own oath; it is
up to the city and county officials to
fulfill theirs and uphold law and or
der"
The governor said that on his desk
lay dozens of letters received today,
specifically threatening atO.$$ make
Utah pay severely for the execution
Of Hillstrom' or even making more
specific threats of destruction and
death.
Action at Once
we are already working on these
things and events will quickly follow.
Detectives are tracing down the letter
writer's and we will get some of them.
When we do it will go hard with
Them
Regarding the execution of Hill
strom. Governor Spry said:
We have no apologies to make
whaever. We have done our duty. We
don't only feel that we have; we
know we have"
The governor explained that in the
last few weeks he personally has no
ticed the big increase in the number
Of Vaga bonds and idle. dangerous
that have collected in Salt
Lake City. He says that they con-
stitute a real menace, and that Utah
will not undergo the experience of
California-Utah will take a stand
that other states will follow, until
eventually this apparent wave of
aWlessness, defiance of justice and
right and outspoken anarchy is sup
pressed"
The body of EIillstrom will be
shipped to Chicago Monday morning.
1t will be taken in charge there by
D. Haywood, national leader
Of the I. w. w. This was decided on
BY a committee of prominent local
members of the orga nization.