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Dec. 16. 1915.

Mr. John L. Wren,

Mabank, Texas.

My Dear Sir:

I appreciate very much your cordial letter of the 3rd
instant, conveying your expression of approval of my action
in the Hillstrom case. I wish to assure you that the stand
I maintained in this case was taken simply because I knew
it to be my duty: there is a source of satisfaction in know-
ing that the decent, self-respecting people of the United
States approve of my action. The mail of the United States can
be used freely by the riff-raff that cannot even claim cit-
izenship to threaten and intimidate public officials in the
discharge of duty. I think I am safe in saying that between
thirty and forty thousand letters and petitions, a majority
of which were threatening in character and thousands of which
were absolutely vicious, were recieved by me during the
three months preceding this criminals execution.

Again thanking you, I beg to remain

Cordially yours,

Governor.