Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-11-19
INTEREST or >NE :DIsIi
MINISTER AROUSED


Hilistrom. who says he has been "a
machiuist AMI laborcr, claims 10 lie a
Swedisn subject, and Oh that ground
the interest of the Swedish minister
was obtained. Hillstronh was a mem
her Of the Industrial Workers of the
World. the members Of which have
been active in demanding his pardon
OF "eirial Resolutions to that effect
have been pas 'ea all over the United
states and in several foreign countries.
Man! Of them showed ignorance Of the
Grim. charged against liillstrom. aud
Indicated belief that he WAS accused
OF some political ofiensc. The Gov
cruor's Ollie" haas received thousands OF
communications or the subject. AS
the day set for his execution APP
preached. the number of commuuica-
tons sometimes reached iu0 :, day.
MANY of these contained threats Of
death 10 the Governor and members of
his family. who were placed under
guard. Other threats were 10 destroy
buildings aud other property. and many
believe recent attempt To burn "a
leading hotel wa the work OF nm
al
precautions have existed here for
weeks past d result OF the threats
Several local sympathizers. including
a woman Instructor at the State uni
vcrsit,, have been active i'm their Of
communication for Hnls,rom. one OF
these. who sent :, cable to Sweden in
iiihstrom' interest, said he desired HIM
set at liberty. guilty or innocent I1e
more prominent loca! advocates OF
Htiistrom'S cause We're cited before the
Board al Fnrdous iu September, and
requested 10 present amy facts they
had in addition 10 those offered at the
trial An admitted they had no addi-
tl"uai -rid-rlc, 10 offer.
Many persons familiar with the q. Sc
believe TIL. murders wcr" for revenge
a. no attempt at rohber! was made
when Morrison va. killed. Morrison
haa been - 2olicc officer. and Was
known a. - man Of great resolution
and courage, which he had demon
strat@d on tHo former occasions in en-
counters with robbers. Four men en-
t"r.u his store the evening Of Feb
ruary :, 1899, and demanded that he
thT"" ~ ms hands. Instead of com.
ri& lax. Morrison ran to rear room
ana !cturh.! with a shotgun. which
lac found would not work Dropping
the shotgun. and under fire all tho time.
h" rushed 10 the rear again ard got
has revolver, with which he shot down
on" Of the intruders and drove The
others from The store. They carried
ihelr wounded companion with them
but ,hilcd TO get any money. \ run
ninG night with the gang followed IN
tin" cours" OF which one Of them was
shot and killed ny a policeman after
he had seriously wounded the officer
The others escaped. and the dead man
~ never identified
Morrson's second encounter was the
htGht Of September 20, l9l3, when he
Was walking home from the store win
fH'" IN cash III his pocket. Two
hold- ups confronted him and demanded
the money. Morrison drew his pistol
and fired or them. one Of them re.
turned the Tire, and. after several shots
nae been exchanged. both ran away.
Morrison said he thought he knew the
men who tried to hold HIM nm bu,
would make 40 charge, AS hc was IN
""uht. 'tnd feared TO accus. some on,
mjustly Some believe llillstron and
his companion wer. these men
Morrison mad a wife and nvc chin.
drcn. besides tho boy who was killed
with him.