Investigation and Protection reports

L. M. Reports: Salt Lake, Utah, Sunday, November 21, 1915.

Following instructions I went to the funeral of Joe Hillstrom which was held at O'Donnell's undertaking parlors at 2:30 P.M. today.

A throng of people blocked the entrance, but I fought my way to the door which was locked and I found that only friends were admitted. However when two of his friends came rushing through the crowd, I followed them in without question, on the part of the door keeper.

I walked up to the coffin which was covered with flowers and red drapery and looked at the form of Hillstrom and silently cried with the few friends who were already there. One of the men patted me on the shoulders and told me to think how bravely he faced the cowards and guns that were leveled at him and on the sacrifice and devotion to his friends, that in those thoughts I could be comforted.

After viewing the remains I took my place among the mourners and engaged myself in a conversation with a lady who was Swedish. I told her of my being a perfect stranger having only been intown two hours, and did not know where to stop and would like to be introduced to someone who could inform me of a good place; that I had come in town for the purpose of obtaining work and also to attend the funeral of Hillstrom. The woman seemed pleased with my ideas and was very ready to introduce me to leading members of the I.W.W. whose names were Child, Ed. Rowan, Paul Roudine, Bert Larson, Hedrick and Brennan, all of whom were very nice to me and asked me to join them in their singing which I did.

Services were opened by neither prayer nor singing. Mr. Child, chairman of the committee, spoke pathetically and told how their fellow workman had been murdered by gunmen hired by the authorities of Utah; after which he introduced Mr. Faulkener of Denver. The latter spoke of being shocked to the marrow when he learned of the permitted murder, the shameful treatment and the injustice to Hillstrom, stating that this alone did not satisfy the raw hearts of the authorities, but they kept on publishing untruths about the murdered man. He also expressed his gratitude toward Hillstrom for not wanting a minister to console him to the end. He brought out points to show that Hillstrom was more spiritual than any priest, Minister or bishop in Salt Lake. In closing his remarks, he read the last will of Hillstrom which was greeted with approval by his friends.

"Sentator" Lund spoke of being a friend of the working people and stated that the would like the working class to stand back of him in an effort to abolish capital punishment.. At the close of his remarks, the Swedish Choir sang one of Hillstrom's own songs "There is a power in the union." I helped sing this, and we sang while crowds of people marched past the coffin. Most of these were curious spectators who were not allowed inside until the services were over.

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Oscar Larson, who has taken an active part in the Hillstrom case and is president of the Swedish Temperance Society, spoke with great emotion. Owing to his address being made in Swedish, I was unable to understand him; but the Swedish woman who sat next to me told me some of the things that were said. She said that he ridiculed the Mormons and told how the Mormon missionaries who visited Sweden, persuaded some of the natives to come to a country where love and freedom ruled; that when they did, they were shot and murdered by the authorities of that glorious State of Utah.

Mr. M. Brennan was the next speaker and he told of how glad he was that Hillstrom had concealed the name of the woman who was in the quarrel in which Joe was shot. He said that cases of that kind are common and that any man was likely to fall in love with another man's wife or sweetheart, and if found out, shooting or killing resulted. He referred to the Board of Pardon of having no backbone, stating that they brought to his mind Darwin's origin of species where Darwin speaks of a worm being without backbone.

Ed Rowan, Secretary of the local branch of the I.W.W., told of being refused admission to the execution of Hillstrom and of the foul language used by Warden Pratt in that refusal; said that Warden Pratt told them that Hillstrom did not want to see any of his friends. This he said he knew to be a lie. He told of Hillstrom's case being judged by higher authorities than those of Utah and that the authorities of this state would have cause to remember Friday, November 19th, the day they murdered Joe Hillstrom. He said that the only keepsakes Joe had, were a silk handkerchief which he gave to him, Rowan, and a picture of his friends little boy on a pony, which he wanted given to Hilda Erickson, one of his closest friends. Rowan again read the will of Hillstrom.

After the services, I was invited to take part in the parade, which I did, and holding a little red book containing Hillstrom's songs, I marched with four men in the parade. We were all singing the refrain, "There's a power in the union." At the depot the mourners were held back by policeman, and only six pallbearers and Rowan and Bert Larton were admitted. Larton accompanied the body of Hillstrom to Chicago. After singing several songs we were told that was all and we could go. People drifted this way and that all with the name of Joe Hillstrom on their tongues. I started to go and Paul Roudine also Mr. Hedrick wanted to assist me in locating a place to stop. I told them that I had just come in on the noon train over the San Pedro and not having time to find a stopping place before the funeral, had checked my suitcase at the drugstore. I told them that one of the members or friends of Hillstrom had told me that I could get rooms at 402 E. Second South St. Mr. Roudine went as far as Second South and Main with Mr. Hedrick and myself, where he left us. We then got my suit case, and went to 402 E. Second South, and Mr. Hedrick was surprised at my being directed to the palce where he was stopping. Previous to our arrival at this address, I had asked him where he stopped and he said he had only been there a week or more and had been so busy helping receive and send telegrams, arranging for meetings, etc., that he had not noticed the number of the place

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he was stopping, but he gave me the location and I saw that it was probably at No. 402.

On arrival I told the lady that I would look at her rooms and she took me upstairs. I secured a room only two doors from that of Hedrick. I paid the rent and went in and prepared myself for dinner. As I stepped into the hall, Mr. Hedrick came out of his room prepared to go out also. I told him that I was going out to dinner. He apologized for asking but said he would like to go along with me. To this I consented, and we joked about the strange things that happen referring to my getting a room at the same place as he, etc. I told him how I happened to be here, and of wanting work and he said he hoped I would be successful, in finding something easy and good pay. He said he had one more day's work and after that he had to work harder than ever trying to find work. In regard to Governor Spry's statement that he inteded to make all undesireables leave the state, he said "We don't want to do anything rash. That would not bring back the life that has been killed, but the Governor had better live and let live. That is our motto, we only want justice. While I know that the Governor can ship us all out, I hope for all concerned he wont try it."

At this point we arrived at the Star Cafe on State near 2nd South St. Everyone in there was talking about the execution of Hillstrom, some being in sympathy and others declaring that the Governor did the right thing. None of them seemed radical. After dinner, I started to get my money to pay for my dinner, but Hedrick wanted to pay for it. I told him I would rather pay for it, as he was out of work, and it was easier for a woman to find employment than a man. However he insisted, and I let him do it. He then asked me where I would like to go, to a picture show or church, and I told him that I did not care to go to a show, but would like to attend an I.W.W. meeting tonight, but the Swedish Temperance Society were having a meeting down on 6th East St., We started for the meeting. I wanted to get in touch with Larson, as I thought most of the agitatos would be at his place, as there seemed to be none at Mrs. McConnell's, with the exception of Mr. Hedrick and his room-mate, Johnson.

Arriving at 6th East, beween 2nd and 3rd South, we turned into an alley, a very dark and undesirable looking place. Barns bordered all sides of the entrance to the barn looking house, where Mr. Hedrick unlocked a door to a dimly lighted hall. As he opened the door it revealed a number of men and women whom I had met at the funeral. I remarked about the flowers being so pretty, and Mrs. Larson said "Yes, these are from Horton's coffin, and these from Joe's." a man spoke up and said I wonder who will be the next to go, there is always a third one." Paul Roudine said, "All of us I guess." Larson said, "No, the Governor." and then laughed

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and joked, saying they did not have money enough to buy a telgram to Ogden, let alone to buy dynamite with; that they had been to such a big expense sending telegrams, funeral expenses and the shipping of Hillstrom's body to Chicago.

They then told me of going out to the penitentiary the morning of the execution. That Rowan had called up at the prison, and Warden Pratt said that if they wanted to keep out of trouble, they had better keep away from there, swore at him and got him so excited and scared that he backed out. Then Mrs. Larson plead with him to go any way, so he got in a taxi with the rest. At the prison they passed the first guard, but the second guard held them back, so Pratt came and told them that Hillstrom did not want to see them. This they said was a d--- lie, for they knew he did. When they reached the outer walls, they stood waiting to hear the shots but after it was past daylight they thought perhaps the Governor had granted a reprieve in reply to the request made by President Wilson. That just then the shots rang out, and the women cried and the men raged. This talk was all carried on upstairs, after which we all went downstairs to meeting, where they sang songs, read from Swedish books, then coffee was served. After this Mr. Larson went to work. I asked his wife if he worked every night and sympathized with her for being alone at nights. She said he only worked until 3:30 A.M. and only every third Sunday, that he was a watchman at a store.

The evening was spent very enjoyable and without threats of destruction to any buildings or persons. Mr. Hedrick and I returned to our apartment. He went right to bed, I waited up an hour, then I heard him snoring. I then distconinued, it being 11:00 P.M.

Reported-M Salt Lake 11/24/15

No. 158 Reports-- Salt Lake City, Utah, Nov. 21, 1915.

As instructed today I went to the Odonell Undertaking parlor to attend the funeral and attempt to locate a Mr. Larson. A man who I was later informed was Mr. Larson came out severl times while there.

At 4:30 P.M. when the funeral procession started to the O.S.L. depot I noticed Larson at the front with Mr. Rowan. He left the depot with a crowd of people and walked to 2nd South and Main St. where he boarded the east 2nd South car in company with a lady. He got off between 6th & 7th East with this lady and walked down Modern Place. I remained here until about 9:15 P.M. and as he did not leave I discontinued.

Reported-S. Salt Lake 11/22/15.