W: Oct.-Nov. 17, 1915; n.d.

I also protest against the State of Utah giving those who would destroy our noble institutions any grounds for their rantings about justice not being obtainable in our courts for the humbler citizens.

If my information is correct, and Utah murders this man, she is pouring oil on the fires of discontent; she is a traitor to those noble noble old warriors of '71 who laid down their lives that this Republic might be born.

Respt. A. Wilson

Seattle Wash Nov th15 1915 Governor Spry, Utah

Sir

I write to protest against the killing of Joseph Hillstrom for the lack of evidence and ask they be given a new Trile

Before sutch an outragious act is done in shooting an men and man witch I beleve hr is indeed inencent

Mrs C.A. Wells 221 Wint Lake Ave N Seattle Wash

DR. J.S. WATT BOX 719 PHONE 7 ON LINE 11 FALUN, KANSAS

Nov. 15. 1915.

Govenor of Utah. Salt Lake City, Utah

Dear Sir:

I would like to have you use all legitimate means within your executive power give a new trial Joseph Hillstrom If you can supply with a copy of the decision of court or verdict of jury I shall be thankful.

Yours very repectfully, J.S. Watt, M.D.

Spokane Sectional Central Labor Council MEETS EVERY MONDAY EVENING AT EIGHT O'CLOCK 722 FIRST AVENUE

AFFILIATED WITH AMERICAN FEDERATION OF LABOR AND WASHINGTON STATE FEDERATION OG LABOR [{seal}]7 OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY P.O.BOX 400

SPOKANE, WASH., November 17, 1915

Hon. William Spry Governor of Utah. Ogden, Utah.

Dear Sir:-

At our regular meeting of the 15th inst., I was instructed by a unanimous vote of the Council to file with you our ernest request that Joe Hillstrom, now facing execution in your State be given an opportunity to prove his innocense, and that you use your Judical Power to grant him a new trial.

We have spent considerable time in our investigation and really believe that Justice has not prevailed in this case. And so make protest against Mr. Hillstrom's execution.

Trusting you will give this appeal favorable consideration, I beg to remain.

Respectfully your [signed] S.M. Winston SECRETARY-TREASURER.

[signed] Andrew Olsen PRESIDENT. SMW. Mo

[embossed seal] SPOKANE CENTRAL LABOR UNION SPOKANE, WAS. ORGANIZED [?] 1906 AMERICAN FEDERATION OF TRADE

ROBERT ALEXANDER WASON, SUHTZUSS HOUSE, NORWALK, CONNECTICUT.

The Governor of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah,

Dear Sir:-

I have tried to show my appreciation of your kindness in sending me a copy of the decision in the Hillstrom case, by reading it with as unbiased a mind as I could bring to bear; but it does not impress me as convincingly as it did the Supreme Court.

Much of this circumstantial evidence is merely coincidental, and I am led to believe that the man's own appearance and manner must have been against him, for an unbiased jury to give him the death sentence. I do not doubt that from a legal standpoint, the Supreme Court, at least I take it that this a supreme court decision, was right; but our legal system is an unwieldy survival of England under monarchial rule in the dark ages, and some of its mistakes have been rather horrible.

From Merlin's testimony, the motive was clearly revenge and not robbery, as the assassin's first words were, "We have got you, now"; and he immediately fired. A robber would only have risked attracting attention after his demand for spoil had been refused and resistence had been offered. To make the revenge motive convincing, it would be necessary to show some former relation between Morrison and the defendant. It is not uncommon for police officers to win enemies.

The real weakness of the case, to my mind, was in the failure of Mrs. Seely to positively identify the man. Untrained persons do not remember, or rather do not recollect distinctive features so accurately as they do the impression of identity in its completeness, and she had every advantage for accurate observation. On the other hand, some natures are too weak to be positively affirmative, and her evidence read to me like honest testimony----with the man's distinctive features impressed upon her mind by the prosecuting attorney.