f BIRMINGHAM NEWS, Birmingham, Alabama, November 20, 1903
See CELEBRATED CRIMINAL CASESOF AMERICA, by Duke, 327-332
MURDERER OFFICIALLY SHOT: SLAYER OF JAMES P. HAY PRE-~
FERRED THAT METHOD TO HANGING: (By Associated Press)
Selt Lake City, Utah, Nov. 20-Peter Mortensen, the
slayer of James R. tay, who had been given his chthice,
accepted death by shooting rather than hanging, was
officially killed by the prison guards today, Main-
taining his innocence to the last, he walked to the
chair, plaed against the heavy stone wall of the prison
yeard, without weakening, and bid the guards and deputy
sheriffs bood-by with no’tremor in his voice. Morten-
sen was killed instantly, four bullets from the rifles
of the executing squad concelaed behind a thick curtain
in the door the the blacksmith shop twelve yards dis-
tant, piercing the white target pinned over his heart,
Mortensen refused to see minisbtsersereither of his
own believe, the Mormons, or of sny other denmomination,
and also refused stimulants, sevine he needed neither.
Unnamed newspaper, sent by Van Raalte, dtd. 11-21-1903
THE BIRMINGHAM NEWS, Birmingham, Alabama, November 20, 1903
See CELEBRATED CRIMINAL CASESOF AMERICA, by Duke, 327-332
MURDERER OFFICIALLY SHOT: SLAYER OF JAMES P. HAY PRE-
FERRED THAT METHOD TO HANGING: (By Associated Press)
Selt Lake City, Utah, Nov. 20-Peter Mortensen, the
slayer of James R. laf, who had been given his chiice,
accepted death by shooting rather than hanging, was
officially killed by the prison guards today, Main-
taining his innocence to the last, he walked to the
chair, plaed against the heavy stone wall of the prison
yeard, without weakening, and bid the guards and deputy
sheriffs bood-by with no’tremor in his voice. Morten-
sen was killed instantly, four bullets from the rifles
of the executing squad concelaed behind a thick curtain
in the door the the blacksmith shop twelve yards dis-
tant, piercing the white target pinned over his heart.
Mortensen refused to see ministersgreither of his
en believe, the Mormons, or of any other denmomination,
and also refused stimulants, sevyine he needed neither.
Unnamed newspaper, sent by Van Raslte, dtd. 11-21-1903
THE BIRMINGHAM NEWS, Birmingham, Alabama, November 20, 190°
See CELEBRATED CRIMINAL CASESOF AMERICA, by Duley 3272332
MURDERER OFFICIALLY SHOT: SLAYER OF JAMES P. HAY PRE-
FERRED THAT METHOD TO HANGING: ise Associated Press)
Selt Lake City, Utah, Nov, 20=-Peter Mortensen, the
slayer of Jomes X, day, who had been given his choice,
accepted death by shooting rather than hanging, was
officially killed by the prison guards today, Main-
taining his innocence to the last, he walked to the
chair, plaed against the heavy stone wall of the prison
Sreett, without weakening, end bid the guards and deputy
sheriffs bood-by with no’tremor in his voice. Morten-
sen was killed instantly, four bullets from the rifles
of the executing squad concelaed behind a thick curtain
in the door the the blacksmith shop twelve yards dis-
tant, piercing the white target pinned over his heart,
Mortensen. ere to see minisbersgreither of his
gum believe 0 s,,0r of any other Jenmomina tion,
algo rstuced seimutente. sayine fe needed nettnes:
Unnemed newspaper, sent by Yen Raalte, dtd, 11-21-1903
2 oy ateiated reas)
MORTENSEN, Peter
Mobbtensen a white Salt Lake City, Utah, owner of a construction com-
pany was in debt to the Pacific lumber Company for $3,800 for materials
The company had been pressing him to pay the debt and on Dec. 16, 1901
he went to their offices and asked James R, Hay, the secretary Ge the
lumber company and a neighbor , to come to his ores that night as he
had the money in gold hidden in his cellar and would pay the bill then
After Hay had dinner, he left his own house, explaining that he was
going to Mortensen's to collect some money. He was never seen alive
again ands the next day, when Mortensen claimed that he had paid Hay
$3, 800 in gold, it was speculated that Hay had absconded with the
money. On Dec. 18, Hay's body was Bound buried in a shallow grave in
& pasture near Mer concen! s home. Mortensen was paken into custody and
charged with having shot Hay through the head when he went to collect
the money. A strong circumstantial case was built and Mortensen was
trLed, convicted and sentenced to die, Jn accordance with Utah law,
he was given a choice between hanging and the firing squad and he
elected to be Shote On Nov. 20, 1903, the execution was carried out
behind the walls of the Utah State Prison,
MORTENSEN, Peter
Mobtensen, a white Salt lake City, Utah, owner of a construction com-
pany was in debt to the Pacific Lumber Company for $3,800 for materiald
The company had been pressing him to pay the debt and on Dec. 16, 1901,
he went to their offices and asked James R. Hay, the secretary for the
dumber company and a neighbor, to come to his house that night as he
had the money in gold hidden in his cellar and would pay “the bill then,
After Hay had dinner, he left his own house, explaining that he was
going to Mortensen's to collect some money. He was never seen alive
again and, the next day, when Mortensen claimed that he had paid Hay
$3,800 in gold, it was speculated that Hay had absconded with the
moneye On Dec. 18, Hay's body was Bound buried in a shallow grave in
@ pasture near Mortensen's home. Mortensen was paken into custody and
charged with having shot Hay through the head when he went to collect
the money. A strong circumstantial case was built and Mortensen was
tried, convicted and sentenced to die, In accordance with Utah law,
he was given a choice between hanging and the firing squad and he
elected to be shot. On Nov. 20; 1903, the execution was carried out
behind the walls of the Utah State Pr&son.
MORTENSEN, Peter
Mobtensen, a white Salt Lake City, Utah, omer of a construction con-
pany was in debt to the Pacific Iumber Company for §3,| [ile ie area
company had been pressing hin to pay the deb
he vent tp tl
a
+ and on Dec, 16, 1901.
heir offices and asked Janes R. Hay, tho ee for the
limber company and a neigibor, to cone to his house that night ao he
had the money in gold hidden in his collar and would pay the bill then,
After Hay had dinner, he left his own house, explaining that
to collect some money, He was never seen alive
and, the next day, when Mortensen claimed that he had paid Hay
3 800 in gold, it was speculated that Hay had absconded with the
noney. On Dec. 18, Hay's body was Bound buried in a shallow grave in
a pasture near Mortensen's hone, Mortensen was paken into custody and
charged with having shot Hay through the head when he went to collect
the money. A strong circunstanbial case was built and Mortensen was
trled, convicted and sentenced to die. cordance with Utah law,
he was given a choice between hanging and the firing squad and he
elected to be shot. On Nove 20, 1903, the execution was
as carried out
f£ the Utah State Prison,
was
behind the walls o:
Pear nee toe te bn sacle Hap "Sarpue for 3,600 Far eer
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