B: July-Aug. 1914; Jan.-Aug. 1915

Hillstrom

Giltner Neb. Aug 2nd 1915

Gov. Spry Salt Lake City, - Utah.,

Hon. Sir;

My Wife and I after reading the evidence in the Joe Hill case think that executive clemency should be used and write to suggest that you could use clemency in his case with honor to yourself and justice to your State and Joe Hill in our opionion. Without any criticism of the courts, yet it appears to us that the evidence is not sufficient to warrant a verdict of murder in the first degree.

It appears to us that if a conviction of murder in the first degree can be secured on such evidence no man's liberty is secure; therefore we beseech you to use clemency in Joe Hill's case.

Yours truly Frank Bowser Mrs. Frank Bowser

ETHICAL CULTURE SCHOOL CENTRAL PARK WEST AND 63D ST. NEW YORK CITY

Warren - New Hampshire August 10, 1915 -

Honorable William Spry Governor of Utah Salt Lake City - Utah.

Dear Sir -

I have read in various papers of the case of Joseph Hillstrom who is shortly to be executed in your state. I know very little about the case. It is, of course, impossible for me to reach any opionion as to his guilt in relation to the crime with which

ETHICAL CULTURE SCHOOL CENTRAL PARK WEST AND 63D ST. NEW YORK CITY

he is charged. But I am very much interested in putting down the impression, now so general, that justice is not to be had in our courts.

If you commute the sentence of this man your action may give him a chance to prove that he is innocent or the state may have opportunity to prove that he is guilty. In any case good will have been done. And the matter is now so widely known that your action will have a good effect throughout the counrty

Very sincerely yourS - Wm E. Baker Wm. E. Baker

Wm. E. Baker Warren, New Hampshire.

Dear Sir:

Your communication, written on behalf of Joseph Hillstrom, has been by the Governor, filed with the State Board of Pardons, which board, under the laws of Utah, acts upon applications for pardon and commutation.

In order that you may be correctly informed as to the facts entering into the appeal of this case to the Supreme Court of Utah, I am enclosing a copy of the decision of the Court for your perusal.

Very respectfully,

Secretary to Governor.

Governor William Spry, Salt Lake City, Utah.

Dear Sir:

Two years ago two elders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints came to W. Acton and, finding it difficult to get lodgings at any place, called at the house of a friend of mine who, tho she ran the risk of displeasing her husband and making herself unpopular with her friends, admitted and entertained them.

I think I may say very generously in view of the fact that she is in moderate circumstances. For some time - a few weeks I believe - she allowed them to make her house a sort of home coming & going at their pleasure or convenience. They were trying to find opportunity to get people to listen to their statements concerning the doctrines and history of their faith so as to justify it to them and give it good standing among the faiths of the nation and of the world but people shut, or slammed, their doors in their faces and the pastor of the only evangelical church in the place refused to even speak to them.

I take no credit, of course, for the kindness my friend showed them but speak of the occurrence because they gave her various books and papers in one of which I found your name as, if I am not mistaken, a member of their Church, or perhaps I should say an active believer in their faith.