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

The two did not call at my home as I live in a part of the town they did not have time to visit, but when I met them at my friends I treated them politely and attended a meeting they held when, as some considered it hardly wise or safe, my friend did not go and I had to take a walk of two miles alone in the evening to reach home.

I think there should be fair play and that all evidence should be heard and carefully weighed whether a faith is on trial, or a man.

If you agree with me in this let me entreat of you with all my heart and strength to show executive clemency to Mr. Joe Hill. I have not seen a detailed account of his trial but from what I have seen I understand that his conviciton is based wholly upon circumstantial evidence and it is a fearful thing to take the life of a human being on such evidence. Tho I shrank terribly from the publicity and unpleasantness of it, at the earnest entreaty of the lawyers who sent it to me, I carried among my townspeople, a number of years ago, a petition for the commutation of the death sentence to that of imprisonment for life in the case of a man I thought guilty—as the evidence was only circumstantial.

In the present case the evidence is not only circumstantial, but it appears, cruelly prejudiced. In the case of Mr. John Lawson of Colorado the press is sharply criticising the life imprisonment sentence imposed upon him.

It seems that all over the country the belief is growing that if a man is charged with crime and happens to belong to a labor organization he has little, if any, chance of receiving justice. Mr. Hill as a member of a labor organization has, I may say, no chance whereas were he rich, or blessed with rich friends, his chance would be good. Would it not be wise for those in authority to take such a course in the treatment of cases like this as will reassure the public mind?

How can you, as a follower of Him who came that men might have, not death, but "life," John10:10 and have it more abundantly" believe in capital punishment, especially when it is inflicted on prejudiced circumstantial evidence?

Let me, as one who loves justice and mercy whether to Latter Day Saints (I am not of your faith and so might be thereby prejudiced against it) or to other bodies, religious, industrial, social or political, or to individuals not connected with organizations, beg you to err, if you must err, on the side of humanity rather than allow a possibly innocent man to be executed.

That you may be led to show mercy to Mr. Hill as you would have mercy shown to you, either in this world or another, is the earnest prayer of

Jennie F. Brown West Acton, Massachusetts Aug. 12th 1915

S. BLECHMAN SHOES AND MEN'S FURNISHINGS COATESVILLE, PA.

August 12 - 1915

Governor Spry c/o - Board of Pardons Salt Lake City, Utah

Dear sir:-

In the name of justice, please commute to imprisonment for life, the death sentence of Joe Hill.

Respectfully, S. Philip Blechman