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Omaha,
November
Sixteenth,
1915.

Hon. William Spry,
Governor of Utah,
Salt Lake City, Utah.

Dear Sir:

I am impelled by a sense of duty to urge executive clemency in the
case of Joseph Hillstrom.

Regardless of the magnittude of his offense if he is guilty, or his
identification with any organization however vicious in its character, I
would, if I had the power, commute the impending sentence of death to punishment
that would enable him to live and reform.

I would isolate criminals for the protection of society, but the ending
of human life I would live in the hands of Him who gave it. In doing this
I believe you would render humanity a great service, and carry out God's will.

I am just a mechanic, a steam fitter, and not in harmony with the
cause of that industrial organization with which the condemned man is identified;
yet, with the limited intelligence, and moral, or spiritual light, of
that man, reared under the same conditions and influences, our actions might
not be unlike his.

As long as nations, or states, set the example of taking life for
an injury, society will follow the example.

If he is allowed to live he may be brought under the transforming
power of Jesus Christ, in whom there is mercy, and forgiveness, and eternal
life. Let the Lord deal with this man.

Very respectfully yours,

Edw. Ashland.
YMCA Omaha