Governor Spry (1909-1917) Joseph Hillstrom Correspondence

HOTEL CRAFTON WASHINGTON, D.C. HARRINGTON MILLS PROPRIETOR

No 20 - 15

My Dear Gov. Spry

I have read the inclosed article this morning with keen interest + genuine pride, [am?] sure I am only one of the quiet and honorable law abiding citizens of which there are many millions in this country who laud your corageous and [?] stand to rid your state of a [class?] of outlaws that are growing entirely to fast for our good.

You are [prosending?] in this noble work with full knowledge that you have the moral support of every good citizen in this country. I wish you every success

Very truly Yours Harrington Mills

To the Honorable Givernor Spry Salt Lake City Utah.

Roxbury, Idaho No 3

[Plaus?] Vov. 24, 1915

Gov. Wm Spry Salt Lake City

Dear Governor: At this Thanksgiving time it is indeed gratifying to me to know that my home State, Utah, has a "Man" at her head. A man of courage and integrity, A man who dares to do right. One whos desire is, to at any cost uphold the honor and enforce the Laws of his State and if necessary to the disapproval of the head of the Nation.

May you be protected and given strength to fullfil every duty [devolving?] upon you.

Kind regards to yourself and family I am very truly Yours

Harrison Millward

Nov 19. 1915 Governor Spry, Salt Lake City, Utah. Sir:- I am one of those twentieth century cranks opposed to capital punishment. Regarding it as a relic of barbarism. - but I must say that the Presidents attitude and action in the case you have just had under consideration makes a parody out of law and justice. The present administration, representing a party so keen to assert the [might?] of the state, seems to have gone into the business of [?] the [?] and its affairs in the ethical

listened carefully, prayerfully to all the evidence and how [illegible] did the party guilty and they have been given every opportunity of the courts I believe the law should take its course. I hope you will pardon my [illegible] expression to you but I first had to write and let you know there are sound people who believe in you.

Yours Truly, John. C. Spry.

10 Westland ave. Boston. Mass.

ALVA A.SWAIN 409 ERNEST AND CRANMER BUILDING DENVER,COLORADO

November 19, 1915.

Hon. William Spry, Governor of Utah,

My dear Governor:—

Personally, I do not believe in capital punishment, but I want to express my appreciation of the way you executed the laws of Utah in the Hillstrom case. I also want to congratulate you on the call down you gave President Wilson. The President has developed a regular streak of "buttinskyism". There was no occasion whatever for him to interfere the second time in this case. I think your telegram to him was apropo and just.

Mrs. Swain joins me in sending her kindest personal regards.

Yours very truly, Alva Swain

[date?] Gov. Spry Salt Late Utah Dear Governor I wish to congratulae you on your courage to do your duty without fear from the J.W.W. Now is the time we need men of courage and I was very glad to have you take the stand for law and order. I had a brother murdered by just such a man who termed himself a socialist but was really an anarchist. With best wishes Yours truly C.L.Whitney

Springville utah Nov 27 1916 Govener Wm . . Spry Salt Lake City utah Dear governer Springville . . Post utah indian war vetrans sends greeting and that they fully endorce the action you have taken in the hilstrom case and to Bid the state of A Lawless element. That is more than the Border Baffians of old Teritorial days when vigilance [comettes?] had to be formed to protect the lifes and righs of Law Abiding citizens and we Pledge you our loyal support with all other good citizens in upholding the laws of our state very . Respectfully Springville. Post utah indian war vetrans

[12/3/15?] Gov. Utah. Salt Lake City. Dear Sir, I want to congratulate you personally, [&?] the enture Citizenship of your state, for the nerve [underlined] you manifested in the recent trouble with the hanging or shooting of the famous anarchist. If you had them all shot [them?] Pris-Willson had issued a general proclamations (orders) & had every one on am-soil shot to death. Our country might have some [peace?] & safety

2 of life & [existence?] I hope & wish you god speed in exterminating them from your state - I never was in you State, but I want you to know there are others out side of your own state who indorse your [official?] acts - I wish every state in the Union had a gov. with same nerve & determination. I think I would scratch Wilson to vote for you for Pres. Yours Most [Respt?] [JM. L. Wren?]

Letters of Congratulation Great [?] [?] 12/4/15 Hon [?] Spry. Governor of Utah. [?] It is an honor to a state fr its executive to enforce its laws. it will [endear?] him to his constituite. even to the viscious elements feel the respect of a determined governor and will respect laws. I arrived at [Carson?] City Nevad August 1861. Those there were on law or order [existed...?] murder and [disperadoes?] intimidated. We tenderfoots stood in awe and fear, until we became accustom to every day occurrances. Being [peaceably?] inclined I saved many a life in [any?] 22 years in Nevada as only a brainless luck saved one. I voted for Judge [Bradlebough?] for congress latter for Nevada the [battled burn?] state in in 1864. Many were killed at the Polls. With a stern Judge Battey law became supreme did we have safety. Being sick I was in San Diego in 1812 I stopped at the Richmond Hotel a week later the J. W.W. [?] a reading room I was in