Evening star., 1915-11-19

taken.
Story of HiIIstrom's Crime
as Told by the Witnesses
Who Testified at the Trial
Joseph Hillstrom was convicted of
the murder of John G.. Morrison, a
grocer of Salt Lake City, and his son.
Airing, seventeen years old, at Morri-
sons store, in the southern portion of
the city, about o'clock the evening of
January 10, 1914.
The shooting was witnessed by Mer-
lin Morrison. another son of the man
killed, who was fourteen years old. Ac-
cording to this boys story. which was
corroborated on many points by other
evidence, two masked men entered the
store with drawn pistols and. saying,
We've got you now" opened fire on
Morrison. who fell, mortally wounded,
with bullet through his chest. Airing
seized .3s-caliber revolver. and fired
Before the boy could shoot again he
fell, pierced by three bullets, and died
almost instantly. The men then ran
from the store, one Of them exclaimfng
that he was shot. They were observed
surviving son bent over his father. who
became unconscious after having in
quired where his assailants were, and
died soon afterward.
Hillstrom. also known as Joe Hill,
was arrested three days after the
shooting on information given by a
doctor near Murray, Utah, two and a
half miles south of the scene of the
crime. Hillstrom staggered into the
doctors home two hours after the
1ar hull at
through his left lung. He told the doc
tor he had been shot in a quarrel over
a woman. and requested that nothing
be said regarding his visit or wound
The doctor. not having heard Of the
murders, treated the wound and took
Hillstrom to the house where he had
been staying for several days. News
of the murders recalled the case to the
doctor. and he informed the officers.
The doctor found an automatic pistol,
Of the same caliber as shells found in
the grocery after the shooting, in Hill
strom's pocket. Hillstrom threw the
weapon away after leaving the doctors
home.
Identified by Witnesses.
The Morrison boy. because of the
masks and confusion of the shooting,
was not able to identify Hillstrom ex-
cept in general description of his size
and clothing. but another witness gave
minute and particular description of
Hillstrom as one of the assailants seen
in the bright moonlight near an electric
arc lamp. Hillstrom-a also was Identi-.
fed as man who visited the store In
the afternoon of the murders and talk
ed with Morrison.
Hillstrom's recovery from his wound
was rapid and complete. He has al
ways maintained his innocence. He re-
30 1t.
self or to offer any evidence as to
where he was or what he did the night
of the murders. He was found guilty
by the trial jury, the judgment was
affirmed by the supreme court, and the
board of pardons. after an exhaustive
review of the case. declined to commute
his sentence of death.
He was sentenced to be shot October
I and was reprieved by Gov. Spry Sep
tember 80 at the request OF President
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, an attorney, who advised
that his investigation developed moth
ing that would justify the board Of
Hillstrom declined to make any
statement before the board of par
dons, He also declined to give the
board any reasons why he should re-
ceive clemency and refused to let his
own counsel or any member of the
whatever. He insisted that he have
a new trial. which the board and his
own counsel informed him the board
was powerless to grant.
Claimed to Be Swedish Subject.
Hillstrem, who said he has been a
machinist and Iaborer, claimed to be
a Swedish subject. and on that ground
the interest of the Swedish minister
was obtained. Hillstrom was a mem
ber of the Industrial Workers of the
World. the members of which have
been active in demanding his pardon
or retrial. Resolutions to that effect
have been passed all over the United
States and in several foreign coun-
tries. Many Of them showed ignorance
Of the crime charged against HILL
strom, and indicated belief that he
was accused of some political offense.
The governors office has received
subject. Many OF these contained
threats of death to the governor and
members Of his family, who were
placed under guard. Elaborate police
precautions have existed here for
weeks past as a result Of threats,
Several local sympathizers, including
a woman instructor tthe state uni
versity, have been active in their ef-
forts to obtain new trial, pardon
or communication for Hillstrom. One of
these, who sent cable to Sweden in
Hillstroms interest. said he desired
him set at liberty, guilty or innocent.
Probably an Act Of Revenge.
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 man Of great resolution and cour.
age. which he had demonstrated on two
former occasions in encounters with
robbers. Four men entered his store
the evening of February 2, 1903. and
demanded that he throw up his hands
Instead Of complying, Morrison ran n
a rear room and returned with a shot.
gun, which he found would not work
Dropping the shotgun, and under fire
all the time, he rushed to the rea,
again and got his revolver with which
he shot down one of the intruders md
drove the others from the store A rim.
ming fight with the gang followed in
the course of which one of them was
shot and killed by policeman after
he had seriously wounded the officer
The others escaped and the dead mar
was never identified.
Morrison's second encounter was this
night of September 20, 1913, when he
was walking home from the store WITH
| $500 in cash IN his pocket. Two hold.
ups confronted him and demanded the
money. Morrison drew his pistol and
fired on them. One Of them returned
the fire and, after several shots had
heeD exchapved hoft ran avav Sow