El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1915-11-19

said But you can't blame a man for
fighting for his life"
Talks While Led to Char.
The blanket strips he had tied TO the
door were then cut he was bIindfolded
and led to the place OF execution, sup
ported by two guards. He talked inceS-
sanity in the few moments that elapsed
between the time of his arrival and the
firing Of the death volley- He asked
whether any Of his friends were in the
firing squad and kept saying he was
innocent and would die like man His
voice was clear, but low He was quick
" adjusted in the death chair and, as
the attendant drew aside. Hills--om
Strengthened himself in the chair. and
said:
Il Die Fighting
'Tu die like a man. I never did any
wrong in ray life I die fighting, not
like coward Well, I'm going. Good
bye. everybody"
The word TO fire was given and the
reports OF the rifles came an instant
after Hillstrom's final words: Let her
He died instantly.
May Be Buried in Wyoming.
Hillstrom's body was claimed by Ed
Rowan, secretary Of the local Industrial
Workers of the World organization.
who intimated that 1t would be sent 10
Wyoming for burial, as requested by
HillstrOm'in telegram to ". D. Hay
wood Thursday.
Last Attempt Fails.
kilograms from o. n Hilton. OF Den
yer. one Of HillstrOm's attorneys, as
serting that WIN. Busky, of Seattle, had
made an affidavit that he was with
Hlllstrom the night J. G. Morrison was
murdered and that HillstrOm was limo
cent, were received by Gov Spry and
other officers Of the state and county
early this morning. The sheriff was re-
Quesred TO postpone the execution. until
this statement had been Investigated
Warden Arthur Pratt OF the prison then
asked HilstrOm if he knew Rusky and
HillstrOm answered that he did not
The sheriff was then directed to pro-
coed with the execution.
Governor Reviews Case.
Reviewing the history Of the case
and particularly the presidents action
IN connection with II, the governor
said in his telegram to president VIII
son;
September 80 you requested stay
Of execution Of the sentence TO give
the Swedish minister an opportunity
10 present his view OF the case Upon
the same day, at your request only, on
the assumption you were in possession
of facts not presented to the board,
granted a respite until Oct 16, espec-
tally requesting that the Swedish min
lister personally investigate the case
and appear before the board
Under date Of Oct 1 you advised me
that your only reason for interceding
was the request Of the representative
OF a foreign government October t.
at the regular board meeting, an open
hearing was held in further cOnsidera-
ton of the case Hillstrom's attorney
advised the board that there was moth
ing further 10 present and that Hill
strOm declined to appear before the Z
board again The only representation I
IN the cOnvicts behalf was snort I
telegram from the Swedish minister, .
requesting Communication Of sentence, D
not by reason Of any new thing in re- 4
lation TO the case. but, as he expressed I
it. for the sake of humanity and com
ity usually practiced between friend
No Showing Made
Because of the absence Of any
showing, the board terminated the re-
spite and again denied communication
The convict thereupon was on the 18th
day Of October resentenced by the
days after the granting Of the respite
and at the 18th hour, you, as the
president, without stating any reasons
therefor, again wired, urging a thor
ough examination Of the case because
OF its Importance and the justice and
adTisability Of such course
your interference in the case may
have elevated It to an undue import
ance, and the receipt of thousands of
threatening letters demanding the re-
lease Of Hillstrom, regardless Of his
guilt or innocence, may attach pc
cullar Importance TO IT, DuL the case
is important in Utah, only as estab-
fishing after a fair and impartial trial,
the guilt Of one OF the perpetrators OF
1ne Of the most atrOciOus murders ever
committed in this state. It is also i'm
Dortant by reason Of the fact that this
case has had more careful and pains 3
taking consideration at the hands Of
The proper officials of Utah than any
other like case in the history Of the
state
Case Fully Investigated.
'As to YOUR suggestion that justice
requires further consideration Of the
case, I earnestly submit that the i'm
DutatiOn contained not only in your
messages to me but also in your mes
sage TO the president of the American
Federation Of Labor. that this convict
has not had justice in the courts Of
this state, is not justified Three 4
groups of attorneys have represented