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310 W. 4th St. New York City,

Sept. 12, 1915

Dear Governor Spry:

I am indeed glad to be able to forward you the enclosed
petitions, asking your executive clemency on behalf of Joseph
Hillstrom, whom we know and love as Joe Hill.

Let me add a personal word to the within. I was educated
for the bar, and practiced two years; and one year, altho only
25 years old, I was presiding judge of the magistrate's court
of Birmingham, Ala. I have endeavored to look into this case
now before you from the legal standpoint; and it seems to me
that if ever there was a case where the testimony [inserted above: and sentence] would indicate
a miscarriage of justice, this is it. Even as in the
Leo Frank case, from my [inserted above: formerly-] neighboring state of Georgia, great
injustice was finally done, despite the pardon, because of
the biased condition of the people; so, I am afraid, the history
of your State will be stained, unless you did as Slaton did;
and thereafter no outrage is committed on this defendant.

It seems to me that justice demands this step. I am
sure that mercy does. Best wishes to you, and high hopes
that you will see it your duty to decide against bias and
prejudice, and for this defendant.

Sincerely,

Clement Wood