C: Oct.-Nov. 15, 1915

Hon William Spry

Dear Sir

The copy of the decision of the court in the case of Joseph Hillstrom, was received by my husband yesterday and we both thank you for your courtesy in sending it to us. I read it yesterday afternoon very carefully. And the more I read the more I wondered how it was possible that 12 men could be found who were all so stupid that they could bring in a verdict of guilty against Joseph Hillstrom. "5 Criminal Law -561 Trail-Requisite Proof of Guilt. In a prosecution for homicide the State as in all criminal cases must

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prove the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. This is the law. Reasonable doubt. Why the State at best, only proved a reasonable suspicion, that Joseph Hillstrom was the man seen coming out of T.G. Morrison's store and was heard to exclaim "I am shot!" In fact that J. Hillstrom had a gun shot wound is the only thing that is proved against him. And it is neither just, nor right, nor fair to kill a man because he has a gunshot wound. Even if it is on the same night that a murder was committed in another part of the city. How could a wounded man get from T.G. Morrison's store to Dr McHugh's

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office about 2 1/2 miles away without being seen. Where is Applequist with whom ddefendant left Eselius' house sometime between 8 & 9 the night of the murder. How about Morrison had he any enemies? In what way if any was the defendant connected with T.G. Morrison. Some men do not go into a store shoot 2 men and leave with out robbery unless they have some spite against them. The very best witness the State has owns in court on her oath to an honest doubt as to whether the man she saw on the night of the murder was Jospeh Hillstrom or not. Surely the Fair State of Utah will not kill a man on honest doubt.

not that I care whether Joseph Hillstron is shot or not. He may be a very bad man or a very stupid one, or very good. But I do care very much about Justice, & fair play, & right. And There is a very very reasonable doubt that Joseph Hillstrom killed T. G. Morrison. Therefore I beg the Governor of Utah to see that Justice is given to Joseph Hillstrom.

Yours sincerely Harriet J. Christensen R2 Box 32 a Kingsbury Calif

To The Governor of Utah Salt Lake City Utah

Kind sir

I wish to write you a line in reagrd to the execution of Joe Hill on Oct 1st. I consider the execution of Joe Hill to be rank murder, a blow at liberty and a crime against the working class of the united states.

Very Truly Yours

Hilton Churchwater Roackford, Pa.