Series 6645

Governor Spry Joseph Hillstrom petitions, 1914-1916.

1.35 cubic feet and 2 microfilm reels

These records are housed in the Utah State Archives' permanent storage room.

Historical Note

See history of the records' creator.

Summary of Records

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 planned execution and/or conviction of Hill for the gunshot murders of grocer J.S. Morrison and his son Arling.

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.

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.

Use Restrictions

These records are available for reproduction and use.

Preferred Citation

Cite the Utah State Archives and Records Service, the creating agency name, the series title, and the series number.

Custody History

This series was transferred to the Archives from the Office of the Governor in 1955.

Acquisition Information

These records were acquired from the creating agency through established retention schedules.

Processing Information

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

ReelBoxFolderDescription
111Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas [12 items]
112California [8 items]
113California [22 items]
114California Berkley-Oakland [18 items]
115California Fresno [13 items]
116California Los Angeles [9 items]
117California San Francisco [33 items]
118California San Francisco [28 items]
119California San Francisco [24 items]
1110California San Francisco [9 items]
1111Colorado [28 items]
1112Connecticut, Delaware [10 items]
1113Florida [70 items]
1114Florida [60 items]
1115Florida [58 items]
1116Georgia-Idaho [15 items]
1117Illinois [32 items]
1118Illinois Chicago [36 items]
1119Illinois Chicago [33 items]
1120Illinois Chicago [31 items]
1121Illinois Chicago [20 items]
1122Illinois Rockford [28 items]
1123Indiana [14 items]
1124Iowa [15 items]
1125Iowa [8 items]
1126Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland [17 items]
1127Massachussetts, Michigan [33 items]
1128Minnesota [27 items]
1129Mississippi, Missouri, Montana [23 items]
1130Nebraska [8 items]
1131Nevada [3 items]
1132New Hampshire [4 items]
1133New Jersey [41 items]
1134New Mexico [3 items]
1135North Dakota [31 items]
1136New York [38 items]
1137New York Brooklyn [38 items]
1138New York Bronx, Buffalo [13 items]
1139New York Long Island [7 items]
1140New York New York City [28 items]
2141New York New York City [12 items]
2142New York New York City [21 items]
2143New York New York City [27 items]
2144New York New York City [22 items]
2145New York New York City [25 items]
2146Ohio [17 items]
2147Ohio [13 items]
2148Ohio [5 items]
2149Ohio [13 items]
2150Ohio [7 items]
2151Ohio [54 items]
221Oklahoma [18 items]
222Oregon [21 items]
223Pennsylvania [18 items]
224Pennsylvania [32 items]
225Pennsylvania [16 items]
226Rhode Island, South Dakota [14 items]
227Tennessee, Texas [17 items]
228Utah, Virginia, Vermont [18 items]
229Washington [26 items]
2210Washington [20 items]
2211Washington [13 items]
2212West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming [46 items]
2213Canada [7 items]
2214General [35 items]
2215General [13 items]