The State of Utah vs. Joe Hill

PETITION

San Francisco, Calif., Sept. 1915

Hon. Wm. Spry, Governor of Utah.

The undersigned believe that there is a strong doubt as to the guilt of Joseph Hillstrom, under sentence of death in the Utah Penitentiary.

We hereby respectfully petition you to commute his sentence to life imprisonment, to the end that Hillstrom, if innocent, may have a fair chance to prove his innocence.

Joseph P. Shannon 1310 Laguna St. San Francisco Cal

Dec. 16, 1915.

Dr. Edward L. Emrich, 104 South State St., Murray, Utah.

My dear Doctor:

This letter is written in apprectiation of your communication of Nov. 23rd, expressing your approval of my action on the Hillstrom case. I appreciate the com- pliment you pay me in stating that this is the first letter of the kind you have ever written. I wish you to know that what I did with relation to the Hillstrom case, was done with a deep sense of my obligations as a servant of the people in seeing that the laws were enforced, and with abiding confidence that the people of this state would uphold me in such action.

Your very frank and cordial statement, in this particular, is one of the strong evidences that my judgment regarding the attitude of the decent people of this state, was right. We are all exceedingly anxious that Utah shall maintain a reputation as the home of law-abiding, loyal, and upright citizens. I know that men who feel as you feel, will be instumental in removing from the state, the lawless and idle element.

With the compliments of the season, and again thanking you for your letter, I beg to remain

Cordially yours,

Governor.

Hillstrom

January 20th, 1916.

Mr. Charles Fosdick,

Mitchburg Steam Engine Co., Mitchbury, Miss.

Dear Sir: -

Kindly accept this tardy acknowledgment of your cordial letter of November 29th. conveying an expres- sion of your approval of my action in the notorious Hillstrom case.

It is a source of great satisfaction to me to know that the people of this country who are loyal to the American institutions, uphold me in my stand on this case. In handling the matter as I did, I attempted to do what I regarded as a plain and simple duty.

With the compliments of the season, I am

Cordially yours,

Governor.

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Nov. 6th., 1915.

Governor of Utah. Salt Lake City.

Deax Sir:- I have read considerable about the trial of Joseph Hillstom, and am wondering if you are going to allow him to be Murdered by the State of Utah.

To my mind there has been no case made out against him whatever. As I understand the Laws of this Country- A man is inocent until proven Guilty, and from this stand point he should go free. I hope you will at least give him a Jail sentence in stead of the Death Penalty. I can not understand how you can do other wise, in a case like this, and continue to have self respect. I could not sit still and be silent, and maintain my self respect, and this accounts for my letter. I don't believe in the Death Penalty for any offence. The State has no more right to Murder, than the individual, and in the sight of God- I believe the State is more to be condemed as they kill in absolute Cold Blood, while the individual usually does so in the heat of passion. But I dont believe with his faults, Joe Hillstrom, is guilty.

Yours very truly, - - -

E.C. Adams

Ybor City Fla Nov 9 of 1915

To The Honorable.

Willian Spry

Gobernor of the State of Utah.

Salt Lake City, Utah.

Sir:

The workingmen at a mass meeting have protested against the judicial murder which the authourities of Salt Lake City are preparing to consumate on the person of Joseph Hillstrom, and we, hereby, do set before you the following facts to your consideration: First: Whereas, Joseph Hillstrom is innocent of the crime he accused of. Second; Whereas, the court in which he was tried, lacked of the evidence sufficient to condemn him, and. Hird; Whereas. Joseph Hillstrom was tried by a court and jury composed of personal enemies of his. We, therefore, do hereby resolve to demand the rights granted by the laws to all citizens;that is a nen and impartial trial by which the accused may be able to set forth his innocence. Now, Sir, if you see to it that our demands are granted, you shall, deservedly be called a right and just man.

By Assembly Antonio Amores Chairman.