The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-12-03

Gov Louis l.. Emmerson denied executive clemency yesterday, in face of pleas of Clarence Darrow, famous Chicago attorney, Julia Lathrop, former head of the Child Welfare Bureau of America, and Miss Jessie Binford, executive of the Chicago Juvenile Protective as- eociation.
 Russell, chatting in his comfort able cell at the penitentiary, said he did not believe he would die in the chair.
 "Something will save me" he said. Tt won't be my age. It will be because was drunk"
 There was more hope than con- Niction in his voice.
 But it is because Americans cringe at the thought of a 17-year old boy, his birthday just passed, dying in the electric chair that let ters and telegrams have come from all over the nation urging that his sentence be commuted. One peti- tion taken before the state board of pardon and parole by Attorney B. J. Knight bore 5000 names. The board declined to interfere. On its decision the governor based his refusal.
 At Rockford, where Russell con fessed he shot and killed Motor- man William Sayles, 64. after hold ing up and robbing him and sev- en passengers on his street car the night of August 29, most people believe the sentence should be car ried out.
 His father and mother Mir and Mra Robert McWilliams are cling ing to hope.
 He was always good boy" Russell's mother sobbed when she heard that the governor had turned down the plea for commutation. "It was the liquor that made him do it.
 Russell McWilliams' boyhood and his teen years record show no reason why he should be facing death for murder The tall, light haired, friendly chap does not look like q murderer. Only his close clipped hair and his prison garb denmark him from thousands of boys of high school age. He was one of the last group of prisoners to have his hair clipped. They no longer shave prisoners heads at Joliet.
 Russell was born at Exline, Ia. He moved to Rockford with his parents and his brother, Theodore, five years ago. The family lived in a modest home on the outskirts of Rockford. Russell did not do particularly well in school. He quit when he was 13, while in the 7th grade. He had failed to pass twice
 But his reason for leaving school was understandable at least to his parents He was more interested in working around machinery. He could take apart any piece Of ma chincry. He was like his father in that. The elder McWilliams is a machinist. He has been out or work recently.
 Russell wanted to earn his own money. He went to work for the Chs,ppel brothers meat packing plant. He bought q roadster, collie dog and collegiate clothes. He had q good time. He worked steadily.
 "I had nothing wrong at home at nlI," the youth said. reminiscinG in his cell. My parents treat ed me all right. I got along with other people. I had plenty of friehds
 "I went to the movies q lot. like wild west pictures. Then l fooled around with guns and my car. l could lie around all day in grease under q car. l was cut out for a mechanic all right. don't blame anyone for the jam I'm in. 1 blame myself and the liquor" .
 On Saturday, August 29, this youth started from home with revolver in one pocket and pint of grain alcohol in another. lie had drawn his $20 paycheck. He drank the alcohol and drove to street car line. When the car stopped, he boarded it, held up and robbed those aboard it.
 About the actual shooting ne said:
 q could hardly see what l was