S: Oct.-Nov. 18, 1915; n.d.

857 E. 67th Street, Chicago October 2, 1915

Governor Spry, Salt Lake City, Utah.

Sir:

I received some time ago a printed review of the Hillstrom appeal case before the Utah supreme court which was sent me by your secretary, and I thank you for the opportunity given me in this way to get further information and more detailed information on this case than I had before. I have read this carefully and am more than ever of the opinion that the state of Utah is committing a crime against Hillstrom, or against itself in the long run, if you allow me to look at it that way. You have evidence to convict Hillstrom of carrying a concealed weapon, but that is all. I am simply amazed at some passages I find in the review of this case, especially the paragraph where the supreme court insinuates it is of no necessity in the case of such a subject as Hillstrom to show motive for the crime, that his corrupt and depraved heaart is sufficient explanation o f it.

I don't believe Hillstrom would kill anybody unless it ws somebody that needed killing; he seems to be of sound mind and has no homicidal mania that might lead him to kill without motive. The evidence in the case shows plainly that Morrison was shot on account of some long-standing grudge, and as Hillstrom was a newcomer in Salt Lake City, and did not even know Morrison by sight apparently, how can you hold him guilty?

The bandanna handkerchief evidence is another one. This ought to have been laughed out of court in the first place. Instead of that the supreme cout gravely announces that it was for the jury to judge the weight to give to the evidence offered that the handkerchief was given Hillstrom as a present after the crime was committed. Is it really a fact that bandanna handkerchiefs are so rare among the working people of Utah that the possession of one is a mark of identification of the person that carries it? It seems to me you might as well try to place this crime on Hillstrom because he carries a watch and the assassin also carried a watch. I happened to see some bandanna

handkerchiefs here in Chicago the other day in a department store displayed on the counter. I immediatley thought of Hillstrom and bandanna justice, and I suppose I will never see a bandanna handkerchief again as long as I live without thinking of you and Joseph Hillstrom. The next time I come to Utah I expect to leave my bandanna handkerchief at the state line, if I happen to have such a handkerchief with me.

The supreme court says Hillstrom had a fair trial according to the laws of Utah. If that is so, then the laws of Utah need changing. But I, although not a lawyer, know enough about what an uncertain and intricate thing the law is, to know that he didn't have a fair trial. The trial jury and judge seem all through the report to be more concerned with securing a conviction than with seeing that Hillstrom got a square deal. If they had been disposed to be fairer to Hillstrom they could have found plenty of legal warrant for letting him go free, and if Hillstrom had had the best legal talent to defend him, they would have been obliged to recognize the points of law on his side. There is law and law. And you know how it can be twisted and distorted.

But all this is neither here nor there. The trial is over, and the supreme court has refused a new trial. It is no longer a matter for the courts, but you are still free to act. And you can take into consideration also matters that could not be considered in court for technical legal reasons. It is not now a question of getting Hillstrom a fair trial, but rather a question for a fair governor and fair board of pardons. The Swedish government tried to save you embarrassment by giving you till nearly the last hour to take action that would have made its request unnecessary, and you have disappointed a great mnay people who have so far looked in vain to you to set this matter right. I hope you will not dissappoint us longer.

Yours truly, Alfred D. Schoch

Dell Rapids. S.D. Oct., 4th, 1915.

To the Governor of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah.

Your Honor,

I have read with considerable interest both sides of the case against Joseph Hillstom, I.W.W. and Labor leader, who was convicted by the courts of murdering one Mr. Morrison.

I am not a citizen of Utah, but some day I may be, as I have been a citizen of seven different states, and who

knows but that old Utah may be the next unfortunate state of the Union? But if "Joe Hill" is allowed to be shot by the laws, courts and Governor of that state, I hope I may never have to put up over night within its domain.

I am more than glad that the President telegraphed his approval of a reprieve and that you were lawful, humane, just and kind enough to grant the same. But to some extent you have his life in your

hands for the future, and if he is allowed to be murdered, as I believe, you will be held accountable for your part of the bloody deed.

Act the man and secure for this fellow, if it be within your power, either a new trial, or an absolute pardon.

He wants to be vindicated by the law, and he should be, but if this is not done, then by all means grant him his freedom, I will not call it "pardon" again, for it