Series 6645
Governor Spry Joseph Hillstrom petitions
Dates: 1914-1916.
1.35 cubic feet and 2 microfilm reels
These records are housed in the Utah State Archives' permanent storage room.
Historical Note
An agency history is available.
Scope and Content
As chief executive officer of the state, Governor Spry had the authority to commute the sentences of those convicted of crimes. The conviction and execution of Joseph Hillstrom (Joe Hill) became one of the most controversial criminal cases in Utah history; it generated national and international interest. Petitions were sent to Governor Spry's office protesting the execution and/or conviction of Hill for the gunshot murders of grocer J.S. Morrison and his son Arling.
Although the petitions defending Hill varied somewhat, the following views were typical: he was innocent; he had an unfair trial; he had jurors who were selected unfairly; he received inadequate counsel; he lacked a motive for the crime; and he was convicted on circumstantial evidence.
Arrangement
Alphabetical by state.
Custody History
This series was transferred to the Archives from the Office of the Governor in 1955.
Additional Forms
This series is available on microfilm.
This series is available online as part of the Utah State Archives Digital Archives.
Access Restrictions
This series is classified as Public.
Preferred Citation
Cite the Utah State Archives and Records Service, the creating agency name, the series title, and the series number.
Processing Note
The series was transferred to the Archives from the Office of the Governor in 1955. Microfilming of the petitions occurred during 1991. Archival processing was completed during 1991.
Indexing Terms
- Hill, Joe--1879-1915--Trials, litigation, etc.
- Morrison, J.S.
- Morrison, Arling.
- Murder--Utah.
- Executions and executioners--Utah.
- Criminals--Utah.
Container List
REEL | BOX | FOLDER | DESCRIPTION |
---|---|---|---|
1 | 1 | 1 | Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas [12 items] |
1 | 1 | 2 | California [8 items] |
1 | 1 | 3 | California [22 items] |
1 | 1 | 4 | California Berkley-Oakland [18 items] |
1 | 1 | 5 | California Fresno [13 items] |
1 | 1 | 6 | California Los Angeles [9 items] |
1 | 1 | 7 | California San Francisco [33 items] |
1 | 1 | 8 | California San Francisco [28 items] |
1 | 1 | 9 | California San Francisco [24 items] |
1 | 1 | 10 | California San Francisco [9 items] |
1 | 1 | 11 | Colorado [28 items] |
1 | 1 | 12 | Connecticut, Delaware [10 items] |
1 | 1 | 13 | Florida [70 items] |
1 | 1 | 14 | Florida [60 items] |
1 | 1 | 15 | Florida [58 items] |
1 | 1 | 16 | Georgia-Idaho [15 items] |
1 | 1 | 17 | Illinois [32 items] |
1 | 1 | 18 | Illinois Chicago [36 items] |
1 | 1 | 19 | Illinois Chicago [33 items] |
1 | 1 | 20 | Illinois Chicago [31 items] |
1 | 1 | 21 | Illinois Chicago [20 items] |
1 | 1 | 22 | Illinois Rockford [28 items] |
1 | 1 | 23 | Indiana [14 items] |
1 | 1 | 24 | Iowa [15 items] |
1 | 1 | 25 | Iowa [8 items] |
1 | 1 | 26 | Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland [17 items] |
1 | 1 | 27 | Massachussetts, Michigan [33 items] |
1 | 1 | 28 | Minnesota [27 items] |
1 | 1 | 29 | Mississippi, Missouri, Montana [23 items] |
1 | 1 | 30 | Nebraska [8 items] |
1 | 1 | 31 | Nevada [3 items] |
1 | 1 | 32 | New Hampshire [4 items] |
1 | 1 | 33 | New Jersey [41 items] |
1 | 1 | 34 | New Mexico [3 items] |
1 | 1 | 35 | North Dakota [31 items] |
1 | 1 | 36 | New York [38 items] |
1 | 1 | 37 | New York Brooklyn [38 items] |
1 | 1 | 38 | New York Bronx, Buffalo [13 items] |
1 | 1 | 39 | New York Long Island [7 items] |
1 | 1 | 40 | New York New York City [28 items] |
2 | 1 | 41 | New York New York City [12 items] |
2 | 1 | 42 | New York New York City [21 items] |
2 | 1 | 43 | New York New York City [27 items] |
2 | 1 | 44 | New York New York City [22 items] |
2 | 1 | 45 | New York New York City [25 items] |
2 | 1 | 46 | Ohio [17 items] |
2 | 1 | 47 | Ohio [13 items] |
2 | 1 | 48 | Ohio [5 items] |
2 | 1 | 49 | Ohio [13 items] |
2 | 1 | 50 | Ohio [7 items] |
2 | 1 | 51 | Ohio [54 items] |
2 | 2 | 1 | Oklahoma [18 items] |
2 | 2 | 2 | Oregon [21 items] |
2 | 2 | 3 | Pennsylvania [18 items] |
2 | 2 | 4 | Pennsylvania [32 items] |
2 | 2 | 5 | Pennsylvania [16 items] |
2 | 2 | 6 | Rhode Island, South Dakota [14 items] |
2 | 2 | 7 | Tennessee, Texas [17 items] |
2 | 2 | 8 | Utah, Virginia, Vermont [18 items] |
2 | 2 | 9 | Washington [26 items] |
2 | 2 | 10 | Washington [20 items] |
2 | 2 | 11 | Washington [13 items] |
2 | 2 | 12 | West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming [46 items] |
2 | 2 | 13 | Canada [7 items] |
2 | 2 | 14 | General [35 items] |
2 | 2 | 15 | General [13 items] |
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