Joe Hill, revered labor hero to many, murderer to others, to be honored on 100th anniversary

Labor activist and songwriter Joe Hill is revered by many as a hero and martyr.

To others, Hill was a murderer who gunned down a Salt Lake City grocer and his son and got what he deserved when he was executed by firing squad in 1915.

Ahead of the 100th anniversary of his death in November, Hill admirers will gather in Salt Lake City this Labor Day weekend to celebrate his life with music and spoken word.

Dale Cox, president of the AFL-CIO in Utah, says Hill started a struggle still being waged today.

But Michael Morrison, grandson of the grocer killed, says his family is tired of the hero worship for the Swedish-born immigrant.