Governor Spry (1909-1917) Joseph Hillstrom Correspondence

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case which promoted this letter. There is impsoned in the penitentiary of Utah one Joe Hillstrom sentenced to be executed next Oct. It is I believe within the province of your jurisdiction be [inlisced] in this man's behalf, and, if, your Excellency, will [gront] the time to investigate this case, you will, (I am five), ascertain that this conviction was a terrible miscarriage

Boscawen, N. H., Sept. 13, 1915 To his Excellency, The Governor of Utah, To-day Joe Hill lies in prison sentenced to be executed on Oct. 1st, because of his loyalty and a conspicuous leader of local strikes. He stands accused of robbery and murder because public sentiment in his community was inflamed against him and in consequence of which he did not get a fair trial and it proved to be a farce. It, to my mind, is bad enough to convict a man of any crime, but to give him an unfair trial does not prove him guilty. If he can be railroaded to prison and then executed, it may be me next time. No man's life is safe, if this is allowed. If you do not see fit to liberate him, I ask that he be given a fair trial. I consider his execution to be nothing less than murder, a blow at liberty and a crime because he dared stand with his class in revolt and refused to cringe before the exploiters of the workers' toll. Yours for Justice, Lirnastatall

Sept 13 1915

Dear Sir and Govner of the State of Utah I am pening you these few lines to ask you for just one litel favor though it means agradeal to one human life this person is Joe Hill Who is to be lined up and shot Sept 1 we are living in a land of civilized Christian County and think and hope you will Stay the execution of Mr Hill which look like a Strike at freedom in the land just supose this Joe Hill was your son and give it a solom thought if it would seem square to you taken where ands was against him and not gven a chance where prejedise was against him just think of it all it looks like the lowest of Crime and Murder to do this more M. Govner I do sincerely hope you will entuseed for the poor fellow and do not stand for your Stole and great people to be stanest with the upon your hands & Remain your [qiuere] Friend Chas Henson Rockpoint Ohio

Governor William Spry, Salt Lake City, Utah.

Dear Sir:-

Surely you will give Joe Hill, convicted of murder on very unsatisfying evidence another trial? Another chance to prove his innocence? The kind of chance you would demand if you could were you in his place. [That] any American citizen

P.S.

The letter written by the accused man to Editor of Telegram of Salt Lake City of Aug 15 : [est?] in which he plainly states and Swears: I am innocent Demands a new and more impartial trial for our comrade, which We hope your influence will help to bring about.

K. J. [Jawoski?] and others.

To the Hon Governor of Utah

Dear Sir

As a free born American Citizen of the U.S.A. I would respectfully ask that you use your power to give Joe Hillstrom a new and fair trial.

Yours Respectfully L. [A?] Johnston RABER, IND. Sept 24 1915

[Tropic?] Sept 27 1915 Garfield CO Utah

Govener Wm Spry Govener of Utah Dear Sir

As a Sidison of the United States and a Native of Utah I disier to use what influence I can to prevent the Exacution of Joseph Hilstrum as the evidence as slim [?] indirect evidents and you as [ovely?] [lakind?] a grate chance of getting the right man. In case this man is murdered I want an answer explaining why such injustes prevales in our State of Utah

M Marian Jolley [Tropic?] Utah.

Devils Lake Ave. Oct 11, 1915

Governor of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, Sir You must not give the deadth sentenced for Joe Hill. You must not have man filled with out being sure that he is the murderer that killed Mr. Morrison. You must grand him a new trial get all the facts in the case from both side and not from one side as it has been. Yours truly Joel Widelund August Johnson John [?]

Bassett, Nebr. Oct 12th 1915. Honorable William Spray, Governor of Utah. Dear sir & State Executive. I write you in behalf of Joe Hill. As an American citizen, and desiring justice. And believing from all the evidence in the case, that Joe Hill is innocent. I humbly [?] & earnestly request, that you grant him full freedom. And restore him full citenship & freedom as an innocent American citizen should enjoy.

Respectfully and hopefully, Yours truly W. T. [Jeffreyes?], M. [?]

Mr. Lile James [Grabord?], Tex Oct. 20, 1915. Your honor Honorable William Spry, Governor of Utah. I write these lines asking pardon for Joe Hill. Yours truly Mr. Lile James