Series 6645
Governor Spry Joseph Hillstrom petitions

Dates: 1914-1916.

1.35 cubic feet and 2 microfilm reelsSkip to Containers

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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