C: Aug.-Sept. 1914; July-Sept. 15, 1915

R.F.D. no 4 Pensacola Sept 20 1914

Gov. Wm. Spry,

Dear Sirs.

I don't think the man is guilty at all he is a truthful worker. I think he is insent of that crime that yong man Joe Hill I think you all aught to let him go free we want justes done by him and nothing else. Mr. J. Calvin Mr J.J. Calvin, Mr G.E. Calvin, Mr G Anderson this is the names that is willing

for Joe Hill to go free. I have received a letter from my comp in Salt Lake City Utah the I.W.W. for Im a member of the I.W.W. in Utah and I want Joe hill to have justes. from J.F. Calvin R.F.D. no 4 Pensacola Fla.

ERNEST D. CONDIT, C.S.R. LAW REPORTER 80 WALL STREET TELEPHONE 7129 HANOVER

New York, July 17th, 1915.

HON. WILLIAM SPRY, Governor of the State of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah.

Dear Sir:

I have just learned that the Supreme Court of Utah recently affirmed judgement of conviction of the Third Judicial District Court of Salt Lake County, in the case of Joseph Hillstrom who was sentenced by said Court to be shot for the alleged killing on January 10, 1914, in Salt Lake County, of J.S. Morrison and his son Arling Morrison.

Subsequent to the trial I was enabled to obtain a loan of the minutes of the trial, and after a preusal of the same, became convinced of his innocence, and confidently expected that the Supreme Court, on appeal, would reverse the judgement and order a new trial.

I have not seen Joe in many years, but from what I knew of him in my younger days, his disposition was such that he would not knowingly inflict injury upon the smallest and meanest of God's creatures.

I understand that in the latter years he became connected with, and active in the propaganda of a labor union known as the I.W.W., with the objects of which I have no sympathy whatever. I believe from the information received from those who have his defence in charge, that this fact alone, and great local prejudice against this organization he was a member of, was responsible for his conviction, and the confirmation of the judgement of the lower court upon the appeal.

As a boyhood friend of Hillstrom, as a citizen and as an upholder of those rights guaranteed to every man, woman and child by the fundamental charter of our liberty, I appeal to you to grant to Hillstrom a pardon, or, if you cannot see your way clear to do so, to grant a reprieve of a few months in order that his case may be reviewed by the United States Supreme Court.

The record of the lower court---and I have reported many criminal cases and written up the records---in my opinion, if presented to an appellate court in this state, would have resulted in an instant reversal of the judgement. I cannot believe that the evidence presented on the trial of Hillstrom would justify the conviction of a yellow dog for the larceny of a bone.

There was no posiitve identification of Hillstrom as

Hon. William Spry---2

a party to the homicides, the only witness who pretended to have identified him being extremely shaky in her evidence, and obviously biased, as Mrs. Seely, who testified that after the shooting she saw two men coming out of Morrison's store, the taller of whom she thought might have been the defendant.

No motive was proved for for killing--absolutely none.

The record shows that the two counsel, who as friends of the Court were detailed to act as Hillstrom's counsel, were acting to all intents and purposes of two additional prosecutors, and when Hillstrom requested the court to remove them, his request was denied. Hillstrom stated: "I have discovered that I have three prosecuting attorneys here. I intend to get rid of two of them -- Mr. Scott and Mr. McDougal." Defendant said: "If the court will permit I will act as my own attorney after this and cross examine all the witnesses, and I think I will make a good job of it."

The refusal of the Court to grant the request of the defenant, seems to me in itself sufficient grounds for a reversal of the judgement of conviction.

Space will not permit me to go into the case in detail, but suffice it to say that if this is a sample of the manner in which justice is meted out by the Courts of Utah, "God Save the Commonwealth of Utah".

I know the strong prejudice, perhaps well founded, that exists against members of the I.W.W. in Utah, and to a lesser extent, perhaps, in the east, but it must be remembered that this is a government of law in this country, not a government of men, and if we deny to even the most hated elements in our commonwealth, the benefits of a fair trial by jury, and review, and the benefit of that presumption of innocence that follows each person arraigned for trial in our courts, until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, we strike a blow at the bulwark of our liberties, and the source of our security. If you will read the record in this case I am sure you will concur in what I say.

I don't know how Hill got into such bad company as it appears he did, but from what I know of him, he was acting according to his convictions, and is entitled to as much consideration as any other man brought to trial in a court of law.

I hope for the sake of seeing that justice is done, that you will grant the relief asked for.

Very respectfully, Ernest Condit

Brooklyn N.Y. 7/26/15 5316-16 Ave To the Governor and the Board of Pardons of the State of Utah.

Gentlemen:

In the name of Justice and of Human rights, kindly add my name to the list of petitioners in behalf of Joe Hill, convicted for murder.

The guilt of this man has not been proven, and a motive for such an act, in the case of Joe Hill has not been established.